Photos of Lee Soo-man, founder of SM Entertainment, being seen in China are circulating through online communities. Since his departure from the Korean entertainment industry following a management dispute last year, his recent sightings suggest a possible return, sparking anticipation among K-pop fans. Earlier this month, photos on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo showed Lee walking ahead with schoolboys holding ice cream, hinting at his comeback. The images also featured Lee alongside composer Yoo Young-jin, renowned for producing numerous hits at SM Entertainment.
In March last year, Lee exited SM Entertainment amid a management dispute and refrained from domestic activities for three years due to a non-competition clause in the entertainment industry. However, he commenced overseas ventures earlier this year. Through his investment consulting firm, Blooming Grace, he filed for a trademark encompassing entertainment ventures under the name ‘A2O Entertainment’. Blooming Grace disclosed conducting auditions for trainees in China and Japan.
During the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers World Congress in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 30th, Lee responded to queries about his comeback with, “You’ll find out soon.”
