Lee Soo Man, founder of K-pop giant SM Entertainment and current chief producer of A2O Entertainment, has been inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame. He was honored at a ceremony on Saturday at The Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, where he was recognized as a “pioneer of the global music and entertainment industry.”
Lee joins a prestigious 2024 class of inductees that includes Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming, Olympic figure skating champion Michelle Kwan, Japanese rock star Yoshiki, H Mart founder Kwon Il Yeon, and Vizio founder William Wang, among others.
During the ceremony, CJ Group Vice Chairwoman Miky Lee, known for her work on Parasite, delivered a tribute speech, introducing Lee Soo Man as a “cultural pioneer, visionary producer, and forever our idol.” She praised his long-held philosophy of “Culture First, Economy Next,” which he championed for three decades, long before the Korean Wave became a global force.
When Lee took the stage, he said the award honors the “imagination” and “courage” that connects people across the globe. He also spoke about his passion for music, calling it a universal language that can unite strangers and bridge cultural gaps.
The Associated Press lauded Lee’s leadership as a key factor in K-pop’s entry into the U.S. mainstream, noting his “three-decade quest that often required him to bend but never break his vision.” The report also highlighted a story about Lee investing $5 million in BoA’s U.S. debut in 2009, a time when K-pop was virtually unknown in the West.
>> Lee Soo Man Documentary Coming Soon to Amazon Prime Video
Source (1)
