Lee Soo-man

Lee Soo-man was born in Seoul in 1952. He studied at Seoul National University, where he majored in music, and later pursued graduate studies in computer engineering at California State University, Northridge. In the early 1970s, he debuted as a folk singer, releasing songs such as "Happiness" and "One Piece of Dream." His early career also included work as a radio DJ and TV host, which gave him insight into the entertainment industry. In 1989, he founded SM Entertainment (then called SM Studio), initially as a small recording studio, but he soon shifted focus to developing idol groups. His vision was to create a systematic training system that would produce polished, market-ready performers, a model that would later define the K-pop industry.¹

Under Lee's leadership, SM Entertainment debuted its first idol group, H.O.T., in 1996, which became a massive success and is often cited as the first "idol group" in the modern K-pop sense. He subsequently launched other iconic acts, including S.E.S., Shinhwa, TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, EXO, and Red Velvet. Lee's business model involved recruiting trainees at a young age, putting them through years of vocal, dance, and language training, and then debuting them in carefully choreographed groups. This "factory" approach was revolutionary and was later adopted by other agencies like JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment. Lee also expanded into global markets, particularly China and the United States, with groups like Super Junior-M and the American debut of Girls' Generation. His influence on the K-pop industry is so profound that he is often called the "President of Culture" in South Korea.²

In 2023, Lee Soo-man resigned from his position as chief producer of SM Entertainment amid allegations of tax evasion and financial irregularities. The allegations, reported by Korean media, claimed that he had evaded taxes on profits from overseas transactions, including the sale of SM shares. Lee denied the accusations, but the controversy led to his departure from the company he founded. Following his resignation, SM Entertainment underwent a management restructuring, with new leadership taking over. Lee's departure marked the end of an era for the company, but his legacy in shaping the K-pop industry remains. He has since been involved in new ventures, including a reported plan to establish a new entertainment company, though details have been scarce.³

Beyond his business acumen, Lee Soo-man is known for his interest in technology and futuristic concepts. He coined the term "CT (Culture Technology)" to describe his training and production methodology, which he has compared to a software system. He also proposed the idea of a "virtual idol" group, which was realized with the debut of aespa in 2020, a group that combines real members with AI-powered virtual counterparts. Lee has also been a philanthropist, donating to various causes, including disaster relief and education. In 2011, he received the Order of Cultural Merit from the South Korean government for his contributions to the Korean Wave. Additionally, Lee has been a mentor to many industry figures, including producers like Yoo Young-jin, who worked closely with him for decades. His personal life has been relatively private, but he is known to have a passion for classical music, which he studied in his youth.⁴

K-pop

Korean popular music, a genre that includes a wide range of styles, often characterized by idol groups and heavy use of choreography.

Idol group

A group of young performers, typically trained by an agency, who are marketed for their singing, dancing, and visual appeal.

CT (Culture Technology)

A term coined by Lee Soo-man to describe SM Entertainment's systematic approach to talent development and production.