According to industry sources on February 3, the non-compete agreement binding Lee Soo-man former executive producer of SM Entertainment and current chief producer of A2O Entertainment will officially end later this month. The clause stems from a 2023 agreement made with HYBE during the sale of Lee’s SM Entertainment shares amid a high-profile management rights dispute. Under the terms of that deal, Lee agreed not to engage in domestic music production activities for three years.
In line with the agreement, Lee maintained a low profile within the Korean music industry after departing SM Entertainment. Instead, in 2024 he established A2O Entertainment, a Singapore-based agency focused on global markets. Through the company, he launched the girl group A2O MAY, supporting their activities primarily in overseas markets such as China and the United States.
Notably, A2O MAY carried out virtually no domestic promotions during this period. However, with the non-compete restriction set to expire, Lee is expected to actively resume operations within Korea. Industry insiders report that Lee Soo-man is preparing not only for domestic activities involving A2O MAY, but also for the launch of a brand-new boy group, signaling potential major shifts within the entertainment landscape.
An A2O Entertainment representative told Ilgan Sports, “Lee Soo-man’s non-compete period ends at the end of February,” adding, “We are preparing with the goal of launching a boy group in the first half of the year.”
A2O Entertainment is home to several familiar figures from Lee’s SM Entertainment era, including veteran producer Yoo Young-jin, who has worked closely with Lee for decades. Also affiliated with the company is Girls’ Generation’s Sunny, Lee’s niece, who is currently active as a producer under A2O Entertainment.
Sources: Daum
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