‘Lee Soo Man: King Of K-Pop' Documentary Examines A Legendary K-Pop Legacy
Directed by Ting Poo (who directed recent docs like Val and this year's Faces of Music) and premiering May 13 on Amazon Prime Video, Lee Soo Man: King of K-Pop charts the seismic legacy of the man who built an empire — and what happens when he nearly lost it all.
Lee's story is not just one of entrepreneurial vision, but his namesake SM Entertainment (the SM stands for Soo Man) has helped build the blueprint of an entire cultural movement. As the founder of SM Entertainment, Lee shaped global phenomena like BoA, TVXQ!, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, EXO, NCT and aespa who helped the genre spread far beyond Korea with the artists playing key roles in K-pop's presence in Japan and America. The documentary also includes interviews with some of K-pop's most iconic artists including BoA (the K-pop queen who has been with the company over 25 years) as well Super Junior's leader Leeteuk, EXO's leader Suho, and NCT's leader Taeyong, as well as the full group aespa.
But what sets this documentary apart is its willingness to dig deeper — into the artistry, the grind, and the controversies that surround Lee Soo Man's SM era.
The trailer opens with a bold claim: 'America took 100 years to dominate pop music; Korea did it in 20.' That stark comparison is the documentary's mission statement. Through unseen footage of late-night studio sessions, dance rehearsals, and never-before-heard stories of the many SM artists through the years, it captures the sheer intensity but also tangibly human sides behind the polished performances.
Tension is also central to the film's power. This isn't a fully glossy hagiography, but a complicated character study. While Lee is portrayed as a visionary, the film also unpacks the criticism he and the company have faced. From the infamous 'slave contracts' involved with TVXQ! to his abrupt ousting from SM Entertainment in 2023, it seems like no topic is off limits in a refreshing dose of honesty from the K-pop industry.
And post-SM, Lee is not retreating. He's reinventing. Now helming A2O Entertainment, he's pioneering what he calls 'Zalpha Pop,' a new genre fusing music, technology, and sustainability. A2O's first act, A2O MAY, is positioned as the vanguard of this digital-meets-cultural revolution. With ambitions to integrate CAWMAN (a hybrid video content format), Lee sees the future of K-pop as multilingual, multidimensional, and mission-driven.
That evolution reflects the documentary's broader theme: legacy is never static. In K-pop, where image is everything, Lee Soo Man: King of K-Pop dares to show the cracks, and in doing so, offers a rare look at the man whose vision changed pop music worldwide.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Thunderbolts*' on VOD, the Most Substantive MCU Movie Ever?
I regret to inform you that Thunderbolts* (now streaming on VOD platforms like Amazon Prime Video) does not alleviate the crushing weight of the 35 Marvel Cinematic Universe movies that came before it. The good news is, it's one of the better entries in the last half-dozen years of the goliath franchise, and that's coming from someone whose MCU enthusiasm has long since been subbed out for MCU ennui, as fueled by utter buttswoggle like Eternals, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Thor: Love and Thunder. The middleweight gamble of ThunderboltsASTERISK (PLEASE NOTICE THE ASTERISK) is director Jake Schreier and screenwriters Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo's intent: they want to make an MCU movie that's 'about' something instead of merely existing as a chunk of a sprawling multi-movie narrative. Of course, it's 'about' mental health and trauma, something that's become a cliche in modern films of all kinds, but still, it ain't nothing in an MCU context. And while it was met with mostly positive reviews from critics, audiences MEH-ed it to a global take of 'only' $380 million, which is underwhelming in that same MCU context. But do not cry for ThunderboltsASTERISK. Somehow, I think Marvel and Disney will be OK. The Gist: GLOOM. That's the mood as Florence Pugh sits atop the Merdeka 118 tower, narrating 'There is something wrong with me – an emptiness' in a Rooshun Ackscent. Then she throws herself over the edge. But PSYCHE! This is not suicide, it's just another mission for Yelena Bolova, best known as the sister of Black Widow, the now-deceased Avenger once played by Scarlett Johansson. She smashes into a room and beats the crud out of some guys and sets off some explosions that she'll walk away from coolly and casually – all in a day's work in the employ of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the CIA director who's facing impeachment for the secret sketchy projects she oversees, e.g., the one that has her hiring not-quite-good-guys/not-quite-bad-guys like Yelena to execute. One of Valentina's political rivals is none other than Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), a newly elected congressman who's pushing for her ouster. And if you want further proof that the MCU is utter fiction and absolutely not reflective of our reality, Valentina and Bucky's political affiliations are never mentioned or even hinted at, and bad actors in powerful echelons of the U.S. government are actually taken to task for their open and egregious malfeasance. OK, to be fair, Thunderbolts* does reflect current realities in that all the protagonists are sad. First, Yelena – her dear sister is dead, she endured significantly torturous brainwashing to become the kickass asskicker that she is, and a year has passed since she talked to her similarly bummed-out father. So she drops in on him. You may recall he's Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour), a.k.a. Red Guardian, who's so janky and outdated, I like to refer to him as Soviet Captain America. He's an overenthusiastic dorkus with supersoldier abilities who thirsts for action, but has to drive a limo to make ends meet. At least he's not standing in line for hours for vodka and bread? Yelena keeps on chugging, though. Valentina gives her another gig, busting into a bunker to assassinate a dude. And that dude is John Walker (Wyatt Russell), a.k.a. U.S. Agent, or more entertainingly, Temu Captain America; you'll recall he was canned from the legit Cap gig after he killed a guy in the Falcon and the Winter Soldier TV series. But before anyone can be killed, some other ethically middling asskickers show up: Ava Starr (Hanna John-Kamen), a.k.a. Ghost, more amusingly dubbed The Bad Guy From Ant-Man and the Wasp You Forgot About; and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), who doesn't get details and a funny nickname because she's not part of this plot for very long. Turns out, all of them secretly work for Valentina. And Valentina sent them to the same place to kill each other. And then Valentina was going to kill whoever was left standing. See, she's destroying everything that's getting her impeached, so she can avoid being impeached. THE PERFECT CRIME. Of course, Valentina underestimates her hired mercenaries, who manage to survive her attempts to erase them. They stumble upon a rando amnesiac named Bob (Lewis Pullman), the object of experiments overseen by Valentina; he somehow has the power to show up in the other characters' most traumatic flashbacks. The group sets aside their differences and various peccadilloes and lonerisms so they can team up and take out Valentina. Bucky also wants a piece of her, so he Winter Soldierizes himself once again. And Soviet Captain America joins the fun, because the movie needs some strained comic relief. So, what should this ragtag bunch of misfits call themselves? I know! The New Aven- (a giant asterisk falls on my head, instantly killing me) What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Well, the MCU didn't have a Suicide Squad yet — let alone a THE Suicide Squad — and this is pretty much it. Just be thankful it skews more toward the James Gunn one and not the David Ayer one. Performance Worth Watching: Obviously Pugh isn't the first powerhouse actor hired (read: paid giant piles of money) to be in the MCU. But is she the first one who's truly allowed to do some acting? I think so! Kinda! Not that she'll win an Oscar. But Pugh's character has as much inner life as outer life – even Chris Evans' Captain America or Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man weren't so keenly balanced. Memorable Dialogue: 'So none of us fly? We just punch and shoot?' – Yelena points out one of the deficiencies of her new group Sex and Skin: None. Our Take: In true comic-book tradition, I'm not actually dead! The asterisk killed me but drove me underground and I my body fell into an underground spring of long-lost alien chemical soup that drizzled out of a meteor that crashed to Earth eons ago, reviving me with the powers of superhuman strength and critical analysis to toss the asterisk aside and remind you that Disney/Marvel rebranded Thunderbolts* as The New Avengers after the first weekend of theatrical release, thus prompting MCU dweebits to speculate about the future of the franchise in a very damp and messy fashion. The film is reasonably satisfying in its tease of a conclusion, instead of inspiring wearisome sighs for a series that significantly lacked direction as it floundered and fumbled in its attempts to recreate the excitement of the pre-Endgame MCU. So what's this not-bad taste left in our mouths? Reader, that might just be a little bit of hope lolling around on our tongues. Not that Schrier is a new Marvel visionary, but too many recent films have rolled by unmemorably (Wakanda Forever, The Marvels, Captain America: Brave New World), stood out as oddball fun (Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness), concluded a story without nodding to the future (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) or barfed up a bunch of funny jokes amidst a lotta nonsense (Deadpool and Wolverine). Standing alone, Thunderbolts* is just fine, but in the brain-batteringly convoluted context of the MCU, it's an obvious cut above. Set aside the usual homework you need to work through to comprehend the next MCU chapter – it's a given, you don't have to like it, we know how this works by now, get used to it, get over it, etc. – and you'll find Thunderbolts* hits an amiable, gently substantive groove that the aforementioned MCU outings could never find: Storytelling clarity, quality casting and performances, a consistently sharp script and well-considered visual style. It wavers tonally from wiseass snarky comedy (although you'll want to laugh at Harbour more than you do) to a sincere stab at portrayals of people wrestling trauma (a few of our primary protagonists engage in a low-key mental health pissing contest), but it maintains its narrative functionality, its overtures are substantive and it doesn't look like several hundred tons of bad CGI. I guess what I'm getting at here is, Thunderbolts* is consistent in a way that its myriad Phase Four/Five sibling films aren't. Schrier's use of real locations instead of shooting on green-screen soundstages grounds the character arcs and invigorates the action. Fights and chases are a touch unremarkable, but are nevertheless smartly directed, tying character and theme to visuals in a manner you don't often see in superhero films. Smarter still, our protagonists find themselves in a conflict that typical third-act violent rigamarole won't solve; the film engages in metaphors and theater-of-the-mind kind of stuff that's actually fairly heady, putting the characters in a psycho-labyrinth that can only be solved with intuition and (gasp) the expression of emotion. If you try way too hard, you could pull some political allegory out of it, but for god's sake, stop trying way too hard. You'll thank me later, and better appreciate Thunderbolts* for being a welcome, and long overdue, deviation from the MCU norm. Our Call: Thunderbolts* isn't the most fun or thrilling MCU outing ever. But the best and most well-considered of the last several years? I think so. STREAM IT. John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
28 Cheap Beauty Items Reviewers Compare To Luxe Brands
An exquisite tinted lip balm shockingly similar to Clinique's "Black Honey" but it doesn't cost nearly as much. This weightless, non-sticky formula glides onto your pout to give 'em a subtle polished tint of your choosing. Soon you'll be smackin' your lips all over the place, and no one can blame you when they look this good. 🤷♀️ Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener — it'll help liven up your tired eyes with a lightweight formula that delivers superb coverage in just a few swipes. This tinted concealer contains hyaluronic acid and shea butter that may also help reduce dark circles over time. It's just like the $33 Becca version but for MUCH less. A TikTok-beloved "Soft" perfume rollerball reviewers can't stop raving about, with some even comparing it to lemon pound cake. YUM! This is gonna be a real treat for your senses *and* it rolls on nice and easy. It's basically a budget-friendly version of Pink Sugar, which goes for $65. A lash-extending E.l.f. Cosmetics tubing mascara because your lashes deserve the best and you don't wanna waste your time with dry, clumpy (pricey) formulas. This one is perfect for thin, delicate lashes and is similar to Thrive. The lightweight tubing technology wraps around your eyelashes for a smudge-proof lift that looks natural. Plus, it's super easy to take off at the end of the day without tons of harsh scrubbing. A moisturizing Mise En Scene hair serum, a K-beauty product that works just as hard as the $46 Gisou version to repair brittle locks. It's made with nourishing oils, including argan, coconut, olive, and, jojoba. Reviewers praise this serum for its ability to combat dryness! Plus, it smells downright heavenly so prepare to swoon. L'Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion to give you a natural glow with minimal effort *and* spending, which makes it a great swap to the pricey Drunk Elephant Bronzi Drops. It adds a lightweight color tint to your complexion for a dewy glow-up that can be worn alone or with foundation. OR Essence's Drop of Sunshine Bronzing Drops, which comes in a sheer, buildable formula that makes it another affordable alternative to Drunk Elephant's version that goes for a whopping $39! Not only will this stuff leave you with a perfect sun-kissed glow, but it also uses glycerin to hydrate the skin barrier and vitamin E to soften skin and smooth texture! Hawaiian Tropic's SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen Brush — don't forget that your scalp needs protection from the scalding heat, too! This summer staple works as a face powder on top of your existing sunscreen BUT you can also put it on your scalp, which is much better than trying to apply a sticky cream there! The best part? It's significantly cheaper than the $35 Supergoop and $36 Brush On Block! Rael Beauty's Miracle Patch because hello, you get 96 in a pack. That's about a third of what you get when you splurge on Mighty Patches. These K-beauty hydrocolloid patches have super thin edges so they're nearly invisible. Wear 'em when you're out and about and no one will have any idea you're healing a zit while running errands. And some overnight hydrocolloid *nose* patches so you can win the battle against excess oil, irritating pimples, and enlarged pores. You'll get immense satisfaction from peeling off the patch to reveal all the stuff that was clinging to your skin, especially since you didn't have to spend extra on the Mighty Patch version. Elizavecca hair treatment you'll be glad to have on your radar because it uses collagen and protein extracts to restore over-processed hair. Dull, dry strands are gonna go POOF and you won't even have to spend quadruple the cost on Olaplex. MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation, aka a superb swap for the pricey Dior Airflash, which is especially helpful because it was sadly discontinued. Not to worry — this lightweight, buildable formula comes in a spray *with* a foundation brush for a smooth and easy application that'll feel like you just had a very expensive visit from a makeup artist. A game-changing eye primer when you want your eye makeup to remain intact ALL day without any smudging or creasing. It'll seem too good to be true but believe the hype — reviewers swear this stuff works just as well as (if not better) the more expensive Urban Decay and Too Faced versions. E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops with hyaluronic acid to give your parched skin a big drink of water. Reviewers say it's a cheap swap for the $35 Watermelon Dew Drops from Glow Recipe, so I bet it'll pique your interest. This stuff will help hydrate, plump, and brighten your skin with each use. Wear it solo, apply it before makeup, OR add it to your foundation. LilyAna Naturals eye cream that may brighten your under-eye area and reduce dark circles with nourishing ingredients, like provitamin A, vitamins C and E, and rosehip seed oil. We all know about the name-brand versions like Clinique and Lancôme can set you back quite a few bucks, but you're too smart for that. Nyx setting spray so you can complete your fierce makeup look with a much-needed glow that'll lock everything in! A spritz or two of this stuff will help keep your product in place with a matte finish. Plus, it lasts for hours without constant reapplying *and* without overspending on Urban Decay. A soothing Briotech spray for anyone who needs to calm angry, irritated skin. It uses the same holy-grail ingredient as Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray: hypochlorous acid. Give yourself a spritz to help treat inflammation, reduce redness, *and* strengthen the skin barrier. E.l.f. Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen because when did sunscreen become one of the most expensive items in your skincare routine? Enter this affordable find, which offers SPF 35 *and* goes on smooth and clear without any white cast. It works well as a blurring primer to create the perf setup before applying makeup too! TL;DR: it's the more affordable version of Supergoop. Juno & Co.'s Clean 10 Cleansing Balm to gently and effectively remove all traces of makeup without relentless, aggressive scrubbing that leaves your face red and irritated. Say what?? It contains just 10 simple ingredients to dissolve makeup while moisturizing the skin. Many reviewers compare it to the Elemis Cleansing Balm, which is almost 70 bucks!! A reviewer-beloved TruSkin vitamin C serum with vitamins C, E, and hyaluronic acid so you can hydrate and brighten your skin with *one* product It can also help smooth and fade blemishes and dark spots like an absolute charm! Reviewers say it works like the all-too-expensive SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum. A Revlon one-step hair dryer and volumizer if you'd love to style and dry your hair at the same time but not go broke on the expensive hair tools. Mission accomplished! You'll speed up your routine while giving your hair an unbelievable amount of shine and volume. Dyson Airwrap who? A weightless liquid cream blush some reviewers compare to Rare Beauty's liquid blush but at a price they can actually live with. It's dewy, blendable, and highly pigmented so you can create just the look you're going for! Fanola's "No Yellow" purple shampoo to help magically tone down brassy hair with violet pigments. If your blonde is suddenly turning yellow, this trusty formula will help even it out without spending a fortune on a salon visit. It only takes a few minutes to apply in the shower, so it's easy peasy! Reviewers say it's just like the Redken version! A trio of hydrating lip sleeping masks — why would you spend $24 on a single Laneige jar when you can get THREE of 'em for a fraction of the price? They're infused with berry extract and vitamin C to help heal dry, cracked skin, so your lips and your wallet will thank you. A MUA–approved black makeup sponge that does its job so well, you may forget about the Beauty Blender and Real Techniques versions, which aren't exactly cheap. If you want a flawless finish when blending concealer, foundation, BB cream, and even powders, this makeup sponge has you ~covered~ alright. It's also easier to see your product on the black surface of the sponge *and* it won't leave ugly stains behind. And a bottle of makeup brush-cleaning shampoo because you need to wash away the impurities living in your sponges and brushes immediately!!! This stuff is formulated with gentle, plant-based ingredients and will give you the same results as the Beautyblender soap — but for half the price. CeraVe Retinol Serum, which can help refine your skin's texture and tone over time. This lightweight serum uses encapsulated retinol to gently reduce the appearance of pores and acne-related marks. If you've been too scared to try retinoids until now, this is a great place to start. Reviewers say it's better than the pricey options out there, like the $92 Murad Retinol Serum! Bamboo oil-blotting sheets you'll never leave home without after seeing how well they work. As soon as that afternoon shine hits, dab your face with these and watch it vanish! Your makeup won't be affected and you'll pay half of what expensive brands such as Tatcha charge.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
PEOPLE in 10: July 3, 2025
PEOPLE in 10 unpacks the best of the week — with a superlative twist! — from celebrity engagements and breakups to royals, style, baby news, and more. Plus, an expert PEOPLE editor answers the burning question of the week, and one of our favorite stars joins us for a sitdown. This week: Sean "Diddy" Combs is found guilty of prostitution charges and acquitted of his most serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges, Todd and Julie Chrisley remain unapologetic and confirm they're moving from Nashville in their first interviews since prison pardon, Khloe Kardashian gets candid about her cosmetic work, and the BTS Army goes wild as the K-Pop icons announce their return. PLUS: The mystery woman kissing Harry Styles at Glastonbury Festival is identified as London producer Ella Kenny, Dua Lipa throws party at Irish pub and vacations in Italy to celebrate sold-out stadium shows, Katy Perry cries on stage after Orlando Bloom split, and A$AP Rocky potentially reveals whether his and Rihanna's third baby is a boy or a girl. Watch new episodes every Thursday at 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT with host Makho Ndlovu. Read the original article on People
