▲ The founder and former chief producer of SM Entertainment Lee Soo-man is seen in this file photo. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- Lee Soo-man, the former executive producer of SM Entertainment, has recently applied for a trademark for a new entertainment company and is set to give a public speech on K-pop next week. 

 

This development has sparked speculation about his possible return to the domestic entertainment industry, following his declaration last year of moving "toward the future" after selling his SM Entertainment shares to HYBE.

 

According to industry sources on the 22nd, Lee will be delivering a keynote speech on K-pop at the CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers) World Congress, to be held at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 30th. As the founder of SM Entertainment and a pioneer in globalizing K-pop, he is expected to discuss the growth of K-pop and its future challenges.

 

In addition to his speaking engagement, Lee has recently filed a trademark for "A2O Entertainment" through his personal company, Blooming Grace. According to the patent information search service, this trademark covers categories including entertainment and amusement services.

 

Despite having agreed to a non-compete clause prohibiting him from producing albums in South Korea for three years as part of his stock sale to HYBE last year, Lee's representatives have stated that the A2O Entertainment trademark application is unrelated to the non-compete agreement.

 

Since the SM acquisition battle, Lee has focused primarily on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) activities. He previously expressed his vision for the future through a letter, emphasizing the need for a fusion of technology and music aimed at contributing to a sustainable world. "I am moving toward the future," he wrote.

 

Lee has been notably active in environmental causes, including donating 100 million KRW to a tree-planting initiative in Mongolia following severe flood damage and participating in a tree-planting project to improve the environment in Los Angeles.

 

As Lee Soo-man prepares for his public reappearance and the registration of a new entertainment trademark, the entertainment industry is closely watching his next moves and potential return to the forefront of K-pop production and innovation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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