A new Amazon MGM Studios film examines the controversial legacy of Lee Soo Man, the founder of SM Entertainment, delving into the triumphs and turbulence of his three-decade reign in K-pop.
A new documentary, Lee Soo Man: King of K-Pop, is set to offer an unusual look into the complex figure behind some of K-pop’s biggest acts. The Amazon MGM Studios film, directed by Ting Poo, moves beyond the polished image of the K-pop industry to explore the 30-year legacy of Lee Soo Man, widely considered a pivotal figure in shaping the genre’s global dominance. The documentary premiered on May 13 on Amazon Prime Video.
Lee’s story is presented as more than just an entrepreneurial vision. As the founder of SM Entertainment, his company helped to lay the groundwork for an entire cultural movement, launching global phenomena such as BoA, TVXQ!, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, EXO, NCT, and aespa. These artists played crucial roles in expanding K-pop’s reach beyond Korea, particularly into Japan and America. The documentary features interviews with several iconic artists who have worked with SM Entertainment, including BoA, Super Junior’s Leeteuk, EXO’s Suho, NCT’s Taeyong, and the full group aespa.
Beyond the Glamour: Controversies and Challenges
What distinguishes this documentary is its willingness to confront the criticisms and controversies that have surrounded Lee Soo Man and SM Entertainment. The film explores the industry’s demanding environment, including the infamous “slave contracts” associated with artists like TVXQ!, and delves into Lee’s abrupt ousting from the very company he founded in 2023.
The documentary appears to provide insight into the boardroom drama that led to Lee’s departure. When SM’s leadership shifted to a new multi-production model, Lee resisted, eventually selling his shares to rival agency HYBE (the parent company of BTS). This move sparked a corporate power struggle involving major industry players like Kakao Entertainment and a public rebuke from his own nephew and co-CEO, Lee “Chris” Sung Soo.
Director Ting Poo stated that the film does not “shy away from some of those more difficult things throughout the journey of this culture.” She also clarified common misconceptions, saying, “There’s a misunderstanding that we’re saying it’s the ‘dark side of K-pop,’ we’re actually saying that is the narrative that the Western media has perpetuated.”
The film also addresses the sensitive topic of mental health within the K-pop industry, a subject often viewed through a “Western media” lens, according to Poo. Dr. Stephanie Choi, a K-pop music expert featured in the documentary, reportedly addresses these myths, suggesting it is a societal problem rather than solely a “K-pop problem.” Poo emphasized, “It is a much more serious issue. It’s a societal issue, and every one of these artists is a human being with individual struggles and problems.” Many artists participating in the documentary spoke candidly about their own mental health struggles, with Poo noting that she did not “filter the answers or the content given to her.”
A Legacy in Flux: From Ousting to Reinvention
The documentary also portrays Lee’s post-SM journey, indicating that he is not retiring but reinventing himself. He is now leading A2O Entertainment, where he is pioneering a new genre he terms “Zalpha Pop,” which aims to integrate music, technology, and sustainability for younger generations. The company’s first act, A2O MAY, is positioned to lead this new cultural revolution.
Through unseen footage of late-night studio sessions, dance rehearsals, and candid accounts from artists, the documentary aims to capture both the intensity and the human aspect behind the polished performances that have come to define K-pop. The film’s broader theme suggests that legacy is never static, particularly in an industry where image is paramount. Lee Soo Man: King of K-Pop seeks to reveal the complexities of the man whose vision reshaped global pop music.
