Lee Soo Man, the founder of SM Entertainment and one of the biggest names behind the global K-pop boom, just made a major appearance in the U.S.—this time not as a producer, but as the star of his own documentary.
On May 12 (local time), a special Premiere & After Party was held in Hollywood, California for the upcoming documentary "Lee Soo Man: King of K-Pop", which will be released worldwide on Amazon Prime Video starting May 13. The film tells the story of Lee Soo Man’s groundbreaking career in music and his global cultural impact. It’s produced by A2O Entertainment, where he currently serves as the key visionary.
The event was packed with about 300 VIP guests, including top figures from the Hollywood film and music scenes, actors, singers, MCs, models, and influencers. A wave of global songwriters who’ve worked with Lee Soo Man—like Dem Jointz, Ferris, the Stereotypes, and Tone Stith—also made appearances.
The red carpet turned into a mini K-pop reunion as Super Junior’s Choi Siwon and SHINee’s Taemin walked in holding Lee Soo Man’s hands, showing their strong bond with the producer. Girls’ Generation members Tiffany, Hyoyeon, and Sunny also turned heads with their glam visuals and support for their longtime mentor. Fans especially loved seeing Sunny smiling warmly and linking arms with her uncle Lee Soo Man, creating a sweet family moment.
New global rookie group A2O MAY also walked the red carpet, showing off their rising star power. At the rooftop after-party, DJ HYO (Hyoyeon’s DJ alias) turned up the energy with a powerful set, while Lee Soo Man surprised everyone by dancing near the DJ booth, bringing a festive vibe to the Hollywood skyline.
During the event, Lee Soo Man shared an emotional message. “Everything I’ve achieved so far is because of my students and our artists who are like family. If it weren’t for their talent and their choice to work with me, none of this would exist,” he said. He also thanked longtime collaborators, saying, “Thank you to producers Kenzie and Yoo Young Jin who stuck with me and helped create the music I dreamed of.”
He also gave a shout-out to the documentary team, adding, “Thank you to director Ting Poo, Amazon Prime Video, and MGM Studios for understanding my story and putting in the effort to share it with the world.”
A2O MAY, who performed their songs “Under My Skin” and “BOSS”, received loud cheers. They said, “We’re so happy and honored to be part of this night with teacher Lee Soo Man.”
Rookies from A2O’s Low Teen Boys and Girls units (A2O LTB and LTG), who are training in the U.S., also made a surprise appearance and even performed briefly, giving the crowd a taste of the future of K-pop.
The documentary "Lee Soo Man: King of K-Pop" explores how one man helped shape K-pop into a global music powerhouse. U.S. magazine Forbes called it “a documentary exploring the legendary legacy of K-pop,” and other media like GMA Lifestyle, The Hollywood Journal, and The Nerds of Color have also praised Lee Soo Man’s lasting impact.
With support from his idols, new stars, and the global music scene, Lee Soo Man’s Hollywood premiere proves his legacy is only growing stronger.
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