A2O Entertainment announced on November 4 that producer Lee Soo-man has been inducted into the 2025 Asian Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place on November 1 (local time) at The Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, United States, and was attended by Lee Soo-man, the girl group A2O MAY, producer Yoo Youngjin, and Sunny of Girls' Generation.
This year's inductees include Lee Soo-man, Chinese basketball player Yao Ming, figure skater Michelle Kwan, Japanese rock artist Yoshiki, H Mart founder Kwon Il-yeon, and Vizio founder William Wang, among a total of 12 honorees.
Lee Mi-kyung, Vice Chairman of CJ Group, who introduced Lee Soo-man, stated, "It is an honor to congratulate Lee Soo-man, the godfather of K-pop," adding, "For over 30 years, he has advanced the concept of K-pop with the philosophy of 'Culture First, Economy Next,' emphasizing that cultural value drives industrial growth."
Major international media outlets, including the Associated Press, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Post, also reported on his induction. The Associated Press described him as "a visionary who has maintained his vision for 30 years," and noted that he developed K-pop as a long-term project that extends beyond the music business to shape the global cultural ecosystem.
Producer Lee Soo-man and Vice Chairman Lee Mi-kyung of CJ Group met on the stage of the 2025 Asian Hall of Fame. Provided by A2O Entertainment
Lee Soo-man revealed that he is enhancing video production efficiency through the "Infinite Studio" 4D Gaussian Splatting System, which is being developed in collaboration with technology company 4DV Intelligence. He stated, "I see artificial intelligence (AI) not as a threat but as a collaborator," and added, "AI is a tool that expands creativity rather than replacing it." He further emphasized the need for international standards, noting that "the protection of creators' rights and legal frameworks are lacking compared to the advancement of AI technology."
He also addressed structural issues within the industry. Lee Soo-man pointed out that "online malicious comments and anonymity are problems that transcend borders," and stressed the need for international user verification and mediation systems.
He went on to say, "I accept this award on behalf of all artists who believe that creativity unites the world." He added, "Music is the language of my life that moves hearts, connects strangers, and serves as the force that links cultures."
The Asian Hall of Fame described Lee Soo-man as "a pioneer in the global music and entertainment industry." He has been recognized for his leadership across the global music industry, including being the only Korean selected for the Variety 500 for five consecutive years, the first Korean recipient of the Asia Society Game Changer Awards (2016), and being listed on the Billboard Impact List (2020). Most recently, he has been promoting a new cultural paradigm that integrates music, performance, and storytelling through the concept of "Zalpha Pop," which combines the sensibilities of Generation Z and Generation Alpha.
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