“Lee Soo Man: The King of K-Pop,” a new feature documentary, is currently in production and will be released globally on Prime Video. The film comes from production company This Machine and is directed by Ting Poo, known for co-directing the acclaimed 2021 Prime Video documentary Val about actor Val Kilmer.
The documentary will explore the life and legacy of Lee Soo Man, the founder of SM Entertainment and a key figure in shaping the global K-pop phenomenon. Described in an official release as “a futurist and visionary on the scale of Steve Jobs,” Lee is portrayed as more than a music mogul—he’s a pioneering technologist and world-builder who helped put Korean pop culture on the international map.
Though a release date hasn’t been announced, the film will be available via Prime Video in 240 countries and territories.
Amazon Studios’ head of documentary features, Brianna Oh, said they are excited to work again with Ting Poo to spotlight Lee Soo Man’s far-reaching impact on both K-pop and the global music industry. Poo added that she is thrilled to tell the story of someone she sees as a “modern-day Willy Wonka” whose journey will inspire dreamers everywhere.
Lee Soo Man began his career as a singer before founding SM Entertainment in 1989. The company brands itself as “Asia’s No.1 entertainment group,” with a strong global presence. SM manages every aspect of its artists’ careers, from song selection to album production, and claims its content garners 1,000 YouTube views per second. Beyond music, it also operates ventures in food, beverage, and variety show production through its subsidiary SM C&C.
Producers for the documentary include Ting Poo, Jenny Turner, R.J. Cutler, Jane Cha Cutler, Elise Pearlstein, Trevor Smith, and Teddy Zee. This Machine, founded by Cutler in 2020, operates under Sony Pictures Television.
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