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The Godfather of K-Pop Honored for Global Legacy—Lee Soo Man Inducted into Asian Hall of Fame

Shirley V. Luna
November 4, 2025

Credit: A2O Entertainment

Lee Soo Man, founder and chief producer of A2O Entertainment, has been honored with induction into the 2025 Asian Hall of Fame, recognizing his global influence on the music industry and cultural innovation. The ceremony was held on November 1 at The Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, where Lee appeared alongside girl group A2O MAY, veteran producer Yoo Young Jin, and Girls’ Generation member Sunny, lending the event both star power and emotional resonance. This year’s class of 12 inductees features trailblazers across multiple fields, including Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming, Olympic figure skating champion Michelle Kwan, Japanese rock icon Yoshiki, H Mart founder Il Yeon Kwon, and Vizio founder William Wang, marking a celebration of Asian excellence across sports, business, and the arts.

Credit: A2O Entertainment

CJ Group Vice Chairwoman Lee Mi Kyung delivered an emotional tribute at the 2025 Asian Hall of Fame ceremony, calling it an honor to celebrate Lee Soo Man, the godfather of K-pop. She praised his transformative vision, stating that K-pop transcends music to form a global cultural community united by creativity and passion, with Lee’s leadership bridging generations and cultures through sound. For more than three decades, she noted, Lee has redefined K-pop by advancing his Culture First, Economy Next philosophy long before Korean culture achieved worldwide recognition, solidifying his legacy as a cultural pioneer and visionary producer. News of his induction was amplified through an Associated Press report syndicated by major outlets such as The Washington Post, while The Los Angeles Post published a dedicated feature exploring his philosophy and long-term vision. The AP piece depicted Lee as a determined innovator whose management philosophy evolved from a traditional music business into a comprehensive blueprint for a global cultural ecosystem. It recounted how Lee initially declined the title King of K-pop for an Amazon Prime documentary but later accepted it to engage more effectively with American audiences. The report credited his pragmatic yet resolute leadership as instrumental in propelling K-pop into the U.S. mainstream and detailed how he expanded it into a vast industrial ecosystem through his Culture Technology model—integrating artificial intelligence, 4D video innovation, and narrative world-building, all rooted in his enduring belief that culture drives the economy.Credit: A2O Entertainment
CJ Group Vice Chairwoman Lee Mi Kyung delivered an emotional tribute at the 2025 Asian Hall of Fame ceremony, calling it an honor to celebrate Lee Soo Man, the godfather of K-pop. She praised his transformative vision, stating that K-pop transcends music to form a global cultural community united by creativity and passion, with Lee’s leadership bridging generations and cultures through sound. For more than three decades, she noted, Lee has redefined K-pop by advancing his Culture First, Economy Next philosophy long before Korean culture achieved worldwide recognition, solidifying his legacy as a cultural pioneer and visionary producer. News of his induction was amplified through an Associated Press report syndicated by major outlets such as The Washington Post, while The Los Angeles Post published a dedicated feature exploring his philosophy and long-term vision. The AP piece depicted Lee as a determined innovator whose management philosophy evolved from a traditional music business into a comprehensive blueprint for a global cultural ecosystem. It recounted how Lee initially declined the title King of K-pop for an Amazon Prime documentary but later accepted it to engage more effectively with American audiences. The report credited his pragmatic yet resolute leadership as instrumental in propelling K-pop into the U.S. mainstream and detailed how he expanded it into a vast industrial ecosystem through his Culture Technology model—integrating artificial intelligence, 4D video innovation, and narrative world-building, all rooted in his enduring belief that culture drives the economy.Credit: A2O Entertainment

During his acceptance speech, Lee Soo Man dedicated his honor to all artists and creators who believe in the unifying power of creativity, emphasizing that K-pop has provided Asian artists with a global stage to express their identities with authenticity. He reflected that creativity transcends borders and serves as a universal language capable of connecting people worldwide, noting that music has always been his lifelong medium for touching hearts and bridging cultures. Concluding with a heartfelt vision, Lee expressed his hope for Korea and Asia to evolve into not only a cradle for performers but also a true home for producers and innovators—a sentiment that drew a standing ovation from the audience.

Credit: A2O Entertainment

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The Asian Hall of Fame honored Lee Soo Man as a groundbreaking force in global music and entertainment, recognizing his decades of influence in shaping the modern K-pop industry. His numerous accolades underscore this legacy, including being the only Korean featured on Variety 500 for five consecutive years, the first Korean recipient of the Asia Society Game Changer Award in 2016, and inclusion on Billboard’s Impact List in 2020. Each milestone highlights his visionary leadership and enduring contributions to the evolution of global pop culture. Continuing his pursuit of innovation, Lee introduced Zalpha Pop, a new creative movement that merges the perspectives of Generation Z and Generation Alpha. This concept redefines the cultural landscape by blending music, performance, visual art, and immersive storytelling into a cohesive global experience.

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