Lee Soo Man (72), who sold all his shares and left SM Entertainment in 2023, has shifted his focus to his new company A2O Entertainment. Despite his new venture, Lee Soo Man expressed his hopes for SM's continued success.

In an interview with Yonhap News published on February 3, Lee Soo Man shared his thoughts on leaving SM Entertainment, saying, "Doesn't SM bear my name? Haha. I always hope SM does well." He added, "And I also wish continued success for our (SM's) beloved artists. The SM acquisition process actually became a turning point, allowing me to move more swiftly toward the future."

He continued, "I am standing in the wilderness again. I will continue with global music, and I believe I will meet SM's artists again at the intersection of sustainable worlds and music, which I emphasize."

Lee Soo Man founded SM Entertainment in 1995, named after his initials (Soo Man), and led it for 28 years. He nurtured 1st to 4th-generation K-pop stars, including H.O.T., S.E.S., Shinhwa, Fly to the Sky, BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, and aespa. In 2023, he sold all his shares in the company to HYBE and left SM.

Reflecting on SM's 30th anniversary, Lee Soo Man remarked, "When I founded SM in 1995 and later promoted H.O.T.'s overseas expansion, I said, 'If you dream alone, it is just a dream, but if we all dream together, it becomes the beginning of a new future.'" He continued, "I focused on making Hallyu a global movement, believing that it would make the country stronger."

He added, "This achievement over the past 30 years has been accomplished with our artists, songwriters, and employees, all joyfully working together. The dreams we started became a miracle to me."

Regarding his statement after leaving SM that "I am moving toward the future," Lee Soo Man explained, "I am a musician who loves music, but I also studied computer engineering (Master's). The greatest information technology (IT) world in human history, including artificial intelligence (AI), is now unfolding before me. It's like a dream."

He concluded, "K-pop is expanding worldwide, and a world of technology that can deepen this is opening up. I feel the joy as if my music life is just beginning."

SEE ALSO: Lee Soo Man declines invitation to attend 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025'