Lee Soo-man

Lee was born in Jeonju, South Korea on 18 June 1952, and attended Seoul National University on and off between 1971 and 1979.{{Cite web|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/30612/lee-soo-man-speaks-to-freshman-at-university|title=SM's Lee Soo Man Speaks at Seoul Natl. University as Alumni Speaker|website=mwave.interest.me|last=Hong|first=Grace Danbi|date=5 March 2013|access-date=18 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505144616/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/30612/lee-soo-man-speaks-to-freshman-at-university|archive-date=5 May 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.moonrok.com/history-k-pop-chapter-4-how-lee-soo-mans-first-big-fail-resulted-koreas-modern-pop-star|title=The History of K-pop, Chapter 4: How Lee Soo Man's First Big Fail Resulted in Korea's Modern Pop Star System|website=MoonROK|last=Waitt|first=Hannah|date=14 July 2014|access-date=18 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024080549/http://www.moonrok.com/history-k-pop-chapter-4-how-lee-soo-mans-first-big-fail-resulted-koreas-modern-pop-star/|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=dead}} Lee debuted as a member of the band April and May (사월과 오월, alternatively 4월과 5월) in 1972 (he had joined the band in 1971), but he later departed from it for health reasons.{{cite news|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20111128157000005|script-title=ko:사월과오월 "우린 70년대 청년 삶의 일부였죠"|trans-title=April and May: "We were a part of young people's lives in the 70s."|website=Yonhap News Agency|date=29 November 2011|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=30 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530145324/https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20111128157000005|url-status=live |author1=이은정 }} He gained spotlight for his "good boy" image, supported by the fact that he was one of the few people who were not involved in the weed scandal among Korean celebrities in 1975, and his high academic credentials in Seoul National University. He became known for hit songs such as "행복 (Happiness)", released in 1978, and "한송이 꿈 (A Piece of Dream)" released in 1976.{{cite web|url=https://jmagazine.joins.com/forbes/view/291117|script-title=ko:올해의 인물 K–POP 챔프 이수만|trans-title=Person of the Year K-pop Champion Lee Soo-man|website=Forbes Korea|via=Joins|last1=Lee|first1=Pil-jae|last2=Cho|first2=Deuk-jin|date=1 December 2011|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=30 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530145324/https://jmagazine.joins.com/forbes/view/291117|url-status=live}} In 1977, he was a member of the Korean indie band {{Ill|Sand Pebbles (South Korean band)|lt=Sand Pebbles|ko|샌드 페블즈}}.{{cite web|url=https://hanryutimes.com/board/bbs/board.php?bo_table=news03&wr_id=4613|script-title=ko:[그거 아니?]이수만, 양현석, 박진영, 그리고 방시혁①|trans-title=[You know that?] Lee Soo-man, Yang Hyun-suk, Park Jin-young, and Bang Si-hyuk|website=Hanryu Times|last=Yu|first=Jin-mo|date=19 July 2021|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130015318/https://hanryutimes.com/board/bbs/board.php?bo_table=news03&wr_id=4613|url-status=live}} In addition to his career as a musician and his studies in university, he worked as a radio DJ and TV host during this time.

Lee Soo-man was also known for his trio with singers Lee Moon-sae and {{Ill|Yoo Yeol|ko|유열}} called Masamtrio (馬三트리오), named as such because of their appearances that resemble that of a long face of a horse.{{cite web|url=https://news.nate.com/view/20201025n08266|script-title=ko:이수만·박진영·박재범·싸이·유빈, K팝 이끄는 가수 출신 [기획사 대표의 과거①]|trans-title=Lee Soo-man, Park Jin-young, Park Jae-beom, Psy, and Yubin, former singers who lead K-pop [The past of the agency CEOs ①]|work=Xports News|via=Nate|last=Choi|first=Hee-jae|date=25 October 2020|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=30 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530100700/https://news.nate.com/view/20201025n08266|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hankyung.com/life/article/201101250485k|script-title=ko:신(新) 마삼트리오? 새롭게 떠오르는 말 닮은 스타는|trans-title=New Masam Trio? A newly rising horse-like star|date=25 January 2011|website=The Korea Economic Daily|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130014210/https://www.hankyung.com/life/article/201101250485k|archive-date=30 November 2021|url-status=dead}}

In 1980, he formed the band 이수만과 365일 (Lee Soo-man and The 365 Days). However, media censorship policies under the Chun Doo-hwan government discouraged him from a career in the Korean music industry.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

In the early 1980s, Lee decided to leave the entertainment world in order to pursue a career in computer engineering. He went abroad to work on a master's degree at California State University, Northridge,{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesasia/2013/07/31/koreas-s-m-entertainment-the-company-that-created-k-pop/#66e783ad5ce9|title=Korea's S.M. Entertainment: The Company That Created K-Pop|last=Asia|first=Forbes|website=Forbes|access-date=18 April 2016|archive-date=21 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421105406/http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesasia/2013/07/31/koreas-s-m-entertainment-the-company-that-created-k-pop/#66e783ad5ce9|url-status=live}} where he witnessed the rise of "superstars of the MTV generation" such as Michael Jackson. Inspired by the heyday of MTV in the United States, Lee set his sights on laying the foundation for the modern Korean pop music industry. In 1985, he returned to Korea "with a vision of what the Korean music industry could be."

Following his return to Korea, Lee ventured back into the entertainment world by working as a DJ and presenter. In 1989, after four years of saving money and gaining experience in the industry, he established an entertainment company called SM Studio (named after his initials) in the Apgujeong neighborhood of Seoul, and signed singer Hyun Jin-young. During the 1990s, SM Studio developed an in-house system that looked after all aspects of its artists' careers. Lee's approach was targeted at teenage audiences, and took a holistic view of the qualities needed to become a successful entertainer.Keith Howard Korean pop music: riding the wave 2006– Page 95 "together in 1996 by Lee Soo Man, a graduate of Seoul National University and a product of the campus-led song movement. Lee surveyed teenage girls, then advertised for dancers who most closely fitted what the girls said they wanted." The company was renamed SM Entertainment in 1995. In 1997, he founded the music production company Like Planning.{{cite web|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/09/16/business/industry/Korea-SM-Entertainment-Lee-Sooman/20220916112324782.html|title=SM Entertainment shares soar 19 percent Friday following announcement|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|last=Yoon|first=So-yeon|date=16 September 2022|access-date=20 July 2023|archive-date=16 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216230903/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/09/16/business/industry/Korea-SM-Entertainment-Lee-Sooman/20220916112324782.html|url-status=live}}

In February 2010, Lee resigned from his position as a member of SM's board of directors, but maintained a role in the company's "management and artist development" divisions.{{cite news|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2010022514424957673|title=Lee Soo-man steps down from SM board of directors|last=Kun-ouc|first=Park|date=25 February 2010|newspaper=10 Asia|access-date=27 April 2012|archive-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619185517/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2010022514424957673|url-status=live}} He continued to exert influence over SM through his production company, Like Planning,{{cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230216006400315|title=SM's co-CEO raises suspicion over founder's offshore tax evasion|website=Yonhap News Agency|last=Shim|first=Sun-ah|date=16 February 2023|access-date=13 July 2023|archive-date=6 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306232519/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230216006400315|url-status=live}} taking 6% of their revenue as a consultancy fee for his involvement in the music production process. He remained the biggest shareholder,{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2021/04/693_71300.html|title=Lee Soo-man stock-richest in entertainment community|website=The Korea Times|date=12 August 2010|access-date=20 July 2023}} controlling the company's management rights.{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2023/06/129_314511.html|title=CJ ENM seeing progress to acquire SM Entertainment|website=The Korea Times|last=Kim|first=Jae-heun|date=27 August 2021|access-date=20 July 2023|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720234616/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2023/06/129_314511.html|url-status=live}} He founded the music publishing company Culture Technology Group Asia in May 2015 and drone company LeePollux in February 2019.{{cite web|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/07/12/business/industry/Lee-Sooman-SM-SM-Entertainment/20230712182736782.html|title=SM Entertainment's Lee Soo-man to start new chapter in China|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|last=Yoon|first=So-yeon|date=12 July 2023|access-date=20 July 2023|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720234649/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/07/12/business/industry/Lee-Sooman-SM-SM-Entertainment/20230712182736782.html|url-status=live}}

In 2019, KB Asset Management, SM's third-largest shareholder, sent an open letter to the company complaining that Like Planning was taking 46% of SM's operating profit each year.{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2023/02/126_270184.html|title=Investors moving to fix SM Entertainment's 'murky corporate governance'|website=The Korea Times|last=Jhoo|first=Dong-chan|date=6 June 2019|access-date=13 July 2023|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720234643/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2023/02/126_270184.html|url-status=live}} They demanded a merger between Like Planning and SM, which the company rejected. On 23 January 2020, Lee Soo-man was listed by Billboard as one of the world's influential music industry leaders.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200127000240|title=S.M. Entertainment chief producer makes Billboard's '2020 Impact List'|date=27 January 2020|website=The Korea Herald|agency=Yonhap News Agency|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203081841/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200127000240|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8548435/billboard-impact-list-honorees-2020-industry-executives|title=The 2020 Billboard Impact List Revealed|magazine=Billboard|access-date=3 February 2020}} He worked on South Korean girl group Loona's 2020 EP [#], which was his first ever project away from his namesake SM Entertainment.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2020/02/05/k-pop-industry-legend-lee-soo-man-works-on-new-loona-album-in-first-project-apart-from-namesake-sm-entertainment/#3349d8c56017|title=K-Pop Industry Legend Lee Soo-Man Works On Loona Album In First Project Away From Namesake SM Entertainment|website=Forbes|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|date=5 February 2020|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315003555/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2020/02/05/k-pop-industry-legend-lee-soo-man-works-on-new-loona-album-in-first-project-apart-from-namesake-sm-entertainment/#3349d8c56017|url-status=live}}

In October 2022, SM announced that they would terminate their production contract with Lee's Like Planning by the end of the year.{{cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20221014007700315|title=SM Entertainment to terminate production contract with Lee Soo-man|website=Yonhap News Agency|last=Shim|first=Sun-ah|date=17 October 2022|access-date=13 July 2023|archive-date=28 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328062922/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20221014007700315|url-status=live}} On 3 February 2023, SM said that they would restructure the company without the help of Lee, adopting a multi-production center system to replace his role as chief producer.{{cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230203005200315|title=SM to introduce multi-production system to increase business capabilities|website=Yonhap News Agency|last=Shim|first=Sun-ah|date=3 February 2023|access-date=17 July 2023|archive-date=2 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602152309/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230203005200315|url-status=live}} Kakao Entertainment purchased a 9.05% stake in SM, making them the second-largest shareholder, and signed a business agreement with SM to fund their plans.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/skoreas-kakao-corp-buy-905-stake-sm-entertainment-touts-k-pop-projects-2023-02-07/|title=S.Korea's Kakao Corp to buy 9.05% stake in SM Entertainment, touts K-pop projects|website=Reuters|last=Yim|first=Hyunsu|date=7 February 2023|access-date=17 July 2023|archive-date=10 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210011632/https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/skoreas-kakao-corp-buy-905-stake-sm-entertainment-touts-k-pop-projects-2023-02-07/|url-status=live}} Lee, objecting to this, filed an injunction against the issuance of new shares and convertible bonds, which was upheld by the court.{{cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230303008000315|title=Court blocks SM Entertainment's planned share sale to Kakao|website=Yonhap News Agency|last=Kim|first=Han-joo|date=3 March 2023|access-date=17 July 2023|archive-date=8 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308011350/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230303008000315|url-status=live}} He sold his stake in SM to Hybe Corporation, making them the biggest shareholder. Hybe announced their intention to acquire the company with Lee's support. This sparked a battle for SM's management rights, pitting Lee and Hybe against the SM executives and Kakao.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0013749654?sid=101|script-title=ko:하이브, 이수만 손잡고 SM 인수…K팝 공룡 기획사 탄생(종합2보)|trans-title=Hybe and Lee Soo-man join hands to take over SM… The birth of a K-pop dinosaur agency (2 reports)|work=Yonhap News Agency|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Tae-soo|date=10 February 2023|access-date=20 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720234615/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0013749654?sid=101|url-status=live}}

Lee Sung-soo, SM's co-CEO and Lee's nephew by marriage, uploaded a video to YouTube in which he levelled a series of accusations at Lee. In the video, he claimed that Lee had founded a company called CT Planning Limited in Hong Kong in 2019 to evade taxes, through which he was taking 6% of earnings from artists' overseas activities. The company had been established using SM's assets but was owned solely by Lee, and was the foreign equivalent of Like Planning. He also said that Lee wanted to force artists to publicly declare his importance to the company and attempted to insert environmental references into songs to promote his business interests.{{cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230216000760|title=SM CEO Lee Sung-soo exposes SM founder Lee Soo-man|website=The Korea Herald|last=Hong|first=Yoo|date=16 February 2023|access-date=20 July 2023|archive-date=31 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531203115/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230216000760|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/02/16/entertainment/kpop/Korea-Kpop-SM-Entertainment/20230216101607281.html|title=SM Entertainment's co-CEO Lee Sung-soo slams founder Lee Soo-man in video|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|last=Yoon|first=So-yeon|date=16 February 2023|access-date=13 July 2023|archive-date=22 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522082934/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/02/16/entertainment/kpop/Korea-Kpop-SM-Entertainment/20230216101607281.html|url-status=live}} The National Tax Service said they would investigate the claims of tax evasion.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/025/0003260274?sid=101|script-title=ko:처조카 SM 이성수 폭로…국세청, 이수만 '탈세 의혹' 확인 착수|trans-title=Exposed by his nephew-in-law, SM's Lee Sung-soo... National Tax Service looks into Lee Soo-man's suspected tax evasion|work=JoongAng Ilbo|via=Naver|last=Jeong|first=Si-nae|date=16 February 2023|access-date=20 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307003001/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/025/0003260274?sid=101|url-status=live}} Lacking the funds of their competitor, Hybe eventually withdrew from the takeover battle, enabling Kakao to become the largest shareholder and obtain management rights.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/k-pop-sm-entertainment-hybe-kakao-takeover-battle-1235550675/|title=K-Pop: Hybe and Kakao End Hostilities in Takeover Battle for SM Entertainment|website=Variety|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=11 March 2023|access-date=13 March 2023|archive-date=12 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312182710/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/k-pop-sm-entertainment-hybe-kakao-takeover-battle-1235550675/|url-status=live}} Lee released a statement saying he was "moving toward the future".{{cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230331000687|title=SM Entertainment founder Lee looks to the future as company appoints new management|website=The Korea Herald|agency=Yonhap News Agency|date=31 March 2023|access-date=20 July 2023|archive-date=30 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530185759/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230331000687|url-status=live}}

Upon leaving SM, Lee established a company called Blooming Grace, which will focus "on the fusion of culture and technology". He acquired part of the Chinese autonomous aerial vehicle company EHang.

Lee's wife, Kim Eun-jin, died from cancer on 30 September 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.newdaily.co.kr/site/data/html/2014/10/05/2014100500000.html|script-title=ko:[단독] 이수만 SM회장 부인, 암투병 중 사망|trans-title=[Exclusive] SM CEO Lee Soo-man's wife dies while fighting cancer|date=5 October 2014|website={{ill|Newdaily|ko|뉴데일리}}|last=Cho|first=Kwang-hyung|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=4 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104132007/http://www.newdaily.co.kr/site/data/html/2014/10/05/2014100500000.html|url-status=live}}

Lee is the paternal uncle of Sunny, one of the members of the popular SM group Girls' Generation.{{Citation|last=lastdance2|title=SNSD Funny Clip #5- When you thought that your teammate is just a small fry...|date=7 September 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD_Wqj7hqFs|access-date=10 February 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}

In 2014, Lee donated {{KRW|500|link=yes}} million to the Korean Red Cross to help the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0002564458|script-title=ko:[세월호 침몰] 이수만 · SM, 대한적십자사 10억 기부|trans-title=[Sewol ferry sinking] Lee Soo-man and SM donated 1 billion won to the Korean Red Cross|work=Herald Pop|via=Naver|last=Jeong|first=Tae-ran|date=29 April 2014|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114150930/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0002564458|url-status=live}} He directed the Asia performance of Global Citizen's charity concert, Global Goal Live: The Possible Dream.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0009476810|script-title=ko:SM·이수만, '글로벌시티즌' 아시아유치···엑소·콜드플레이|trans-title=SM · Lee Soo-man, 'Global Citizen' to attract Asia... Exo · Coldplay|work=Newsis|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Jae-hoon|date=27 September 2019|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113231718/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0009476810|url-status=live}} On 8 March 2022, he donated {{KRW|500}} million to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help those affected by the massive wildfires that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk. and also spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=108&aid=0003034202|author=Lee Deok-haeng|script-title=ko:이수만·SM, 산불 피해 복구 성금 5억원 기부|trans-title=Lee Soo-man and SM donated 500 million won for forest fire damage recovery|publisher=MT Star News|via=Naver|date=8 March 2022|access-date=8 March 2022|language=ko|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308115303/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=108&aid=0003034202|url-status=live}}

In 2002, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office of the Republic of Korea found evidence of Lee earning tens of billions worth of illegal market profits in August 1999 by acquiring 1.1 billion worth of stocks when listing stocks of SM Entertainment at KOSDAQ by a paid-in capital increase.{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=020&aid=0000142675|script-title=ko:"SM 3년 전 코스닥 등록 때 이수만씨 수백억 시세 차익"|trans-title="Lee Soo-man's tens of billions in capital gains when SM registered on KOSDAQ 3 years ago"|work=The Dong-A Ilbo|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Sang-rok|date=25 July 2002|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720235214/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/020/0000142675?sid=102|url-status=live}} The Supreme Prosecutors' Office of the Republic of Korea also investigated Lee regarding circumstantial evidence of lobbying to producers in broadcasting stations and keeping a tremendous amount of cash in his personal office and vaults.{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0000223296|script-title=ko:"이수만씨 비밀금고에 거액 보관"|trans-title=Lee Soo-man kept a large sum of money in his secret safe|work=Yonhap News Agency|via=Naver|date=18 August 2002|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720235220/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0000223296?sid=102|url-status=live}}

Lee tried to escape prosecution by staying overseas from June 2002, and was found in a golf course in Los Angeles on 2 August in the same year.{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0000216583|script-title=ko:LA골프장에 나타난 이수만씨|trans-title=Lee Soo-man appeared on an LA golf course|work=Yonhap News Agency|via=Naver|date=4 August 2002|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720235151/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0000216583?sid=102|url-status=live}} While on the run, Lee's passport was nullified and Lee was chased by Interpol.{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=015&aid=0000584362|script-title=ko:검찰, 이수만.서세원씨 '인터폴에 수배'|trans-title=Prosecutors: Lee Soo-man and Seo Se-won 'wanted by Interpol'|work=Korea Economic Daily|via=Naver|last=Oh|first=Sang-heon|date=15 January 2003|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=13 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313075011/https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=015&aid=0000584362|url-status=live}} Lee eventually came back to Korea to be investigated on 22 May 2003.{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0000378993|script-title=ko:이수만씨 귀국, 검찰 조사|trans-title=Lee Soo-man's return to Korea, prosecution investigation|work=Yonhap News Agency|via=Naver|last=Park|first=Chang-wook|date=22 May 2003|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=21 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721005126/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0000378993?sid=102|url-status=live}} A pre-arrest warrant was issued on 7 October,{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=020&aid=0000208632|script-title=ko:서세원-이수만씨 사전 영장청구|trans-title=Seo Se-won and Lee Soo-man's preliminary warrant request|work=The Dong-A Ilbo|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Sang-rok|date=8 October 2003|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko}} and Lee was arrested on 8 October.{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=001&oid=055&aid=0000010448|script-title=ko:이수만·서세원씨 등 오늘 구속 수감|trans-title=Lee Soo-man, Seo Se-won, etc. arrested today|work=SBS|via=Naver|date=9 October 2003|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720235149/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/055/0000010448?sid=001|url-status=live}} On 14 October, Lee was approved of bail after paying 30 million won. On 19 October, Lee was prosecuted without detention.{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=020&aid=0000210503|script-title=ko:[연예]이수만씨 불구속 기소|trans-title=[Entertainment] Lee Soo-man indicted without detention|work=The Dong-A Ilbo|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Tae-hoon|date=19 October 2003|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720235658/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/020/0000210503?sid=102|url-status=live}}

In September 2004, the Supreme Court of Korea sentenced Lee to two years of imprisonment along with three years of probation.{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=106&oid=001&aid=0000752441|script-title=ko:'자금횡령' 이수만씨 집행 유예|trans-title=Lee Soo-man's sentence for embezzlement of funds is suspended|work=Yonhap News Agency|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Kwang-cheol|date=3 September 2004|access-date=13 July 2023|language=ko|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720235645/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0000752441|url-status=live}} Lee was released in a special exemption in 2007 commemorating the fourth year of Roh Moo-hyun's presidency.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

In 2009, three members of the boy band TVXQ took their management agency SM Entertainment owned by Lee to court, claiming that the agency's 13-year-contract (often nicknamed a slave contract) was too long, too restrictive, and gave them almost none of the profits from their success.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13760064|title=The dark side of South Korean pop music|last=Williamson|first=Lucy|date=15 June 2011|work=BBC News|access-date=19 June 2017|language=en-GB|archive-date=30 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530090649/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13760064|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/08/201_49933.html|title=Is There a Solution for Slave contracts?|last=Han|first=Sang-hee|date=11 August 2009|work=The Korea Times|access-date=19 June 2017|language=en|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819143037/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/08/201_49933.html|url-status=live}} The following year, in 2010, South Korea's Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) created a rule that limited entertainment contracts to seven years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2014/12/135_169279.html|title=K-pop stars punished by unfair contracts|last=Kim|first=Hyo-jin|date=3 December 2014|work=The Korea Times|access-date=19 June 2017|language=en|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819142115/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2014/12/135_169279.html|url-status=live}}

In 2015, Lee Soo-man was alleged to have violated foreign exchange rules, having failed to report real estate purchased in Los Angeles, as mandated by the Foreign Exchange Law. His company responded that it was a "mistake" made by their American subsidiary.{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2023/01/602_171643.html|title=Chaebol scions, SM chief and actress in W130 bil. illegal FX deals|website=The Korea Times|last=Kim|first=Jae-won|date=13 January 2015|access-date=13 July 2023|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720235618/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2023/01/602_171643.html|url-status=live}} In 2021, he was included in the names of figures in the Pandora Papers. He was mentioned 399 times across 280 documents, tying him to eight paper companies in Hong Kong, five of which used a nominee service to conceal the source of their funds. SM Entertainment denied the allegations and said the companies had been founded using his father's assets.{{Cite news |last=Hyun-su |first=Yim |date=4 October 2021 |title=Lee Soo-man named in leaked offshore data, S.M. Entertainment denies wrongdoing |language=en |work=The Korea Herald |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20211004000210 |access-date=4 October 2021 |archive-date=4 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004110649/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20211004000210 |url-status=live }} Lee and SM were investigated by the National Tax Service following suspicions that he had omitted financial information and leaked company money in corporate transactions. As a result, SM was ordered to pay the government 20.2 billion won.{{cite web|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/02/05/entertainment/kpop/SM-Entertainment-tax-Lee-Sooman/20210205185100583.html|title=SM Entertainment hit with 20.2-billion-won charge|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|last=Yoon|first=So-yeon|date=5 February 2021|access-date=13 July 2023|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720234826/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/02/05/entertainment/kpop/SM-Entertainment-tax-Lee-Sooman/20210205185100583.html|url-status=live}}

• Lee Soo-man (Jigu Records, 1977)
• Lee Soo-man (Shinsegae, 1978)
• 애창곡집 (Jigu Records, 1978)
• Greatest (Universal Record Co., 1980)
• Lee Soo-man (Shinsegae, 1983)
• Lee Soo-man (Han Kook Record, 1985)
• 끝이 없는 순간 (Asia Record Co., 1986)
• NEW AGE 2 (Han Kook Record, January 1989)
• NEW AGE (Asia Record Co., November 1989)

{{more citations needed section|date=January 2025}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.a2oentertainment.com A2O Entertainment] – Official website

{{SM Entertainment}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Soo-man}}

Category:1952 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century South Korean male singers

Category:20th-century South Korean businesspeople

Category:21st-century South Korean businesspeople

Category:Asia Game Changer Award winners

Category:Businesspeople from Seoul

Category:California State University, Northridge alumni

Category:Kyungbock High School alumni

Category:Musicians from Seoul

Category:People from Jeonju

Category:People named in the Pandora Papers

Category:Seoul National University alumni

Category:SM Entertainment people

Category:South Korean chief executives

Category:South Korean DJs

Category:South Korean folk rock singers

Category:South Korean music industry executives

Category:South Korean male pop singers

Category:South Korean radio presenters

Category:South Korean record producers

Category:South Korean rock guitarists

Category:South Korean television presenters

Category:Circle Chart Music Award winners