SM Invites Lee Soo-man to 30th Anniversary Concert... Will the Reunion Happen?

All Artists from Current Roster to 1st Generation Idols Gather
Interest in Attendance of Former Chief Producer Lee Soo-man

SM Entertainment has officially invited former Chief Producer Lee Soo-man to the 'SM Town Live 2025' concert celebrating its 30th anniversary, scheduled for January next year, drawing significant attention from the industry.

Former SM Entertainment Chief Producer Lee Soo-man is delivering the keynote speech at the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) World Congress held at Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the 25th, SM announced, "We have invited former Chief Producer Lee Soo-man along with SM-affiliated artists currently reachable." This is interpreted as a gesture of respect toward the founder who laid the foundation of the K-pop industry.

A representative from Lee Soo-man's side stated, "Lee Soo-man, who has been staying overseas, learned about SM's invitation through media reports," adding, "SM recently sent an invitation by registered mail to Blooming Grace (Lee Soo-man's personal company) and then publicly announced the invitation to the media." Lee Soo-man's attendance has not yet been decided, and the industry is closely watching his final decision.

Lee Soo-man founded SM in 1995 and is credited as a key figure who established the 'idol culture' in the Korean popular music scene. Starting with H.O.T., he consecutively produced global K-pop stars such as S.E.S., Shinhwa, Fly to the Sky, BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, f(x), EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, and aespa, leading the globalization of the Korean Wave.

However, in March last year, during a management dispute over SM, Lee Soo-man sold most of his shares to HYBE, and after Kakao became SM's largest shareholder, he left the company. This invitation is significant as it is the first official invitation extended to Lee Soo-man since his departure from SM.

The concert, held on the 11th and 12th of next month at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome, will feature current SM artists such as Super Junior, Taeyeon, Red Velvet, NCT, and aespa, along with first-generation K-pop idols from SM like H.O.T's Tony An, S.E.S's Bada, and Fly to the Sky's Hwanhee. This stage is especially anticipated as a historic moment where SM's past and present come together in one place.

The concert is expected to be curated with a setlist covering SM's 30-year musical journey from its founding to the present, offering a valuable opportunity to witness the history of K-pop in one place.

Industry insiders predict that depending on Lee Soo-man's attendance, this concert could become a meaningful moment in K-pop history beyond a simple commemorative event.