![[Culture &] Lee Soo-man, Founder of SM, Returns to K-pop in Full Force… Hosts an A2O Audition](https://cdn.www.cineplay.co.kr/w220/q85/article-images/2026-03-25/c96d7c07-c3ac-4f03-b21b-1cd6eb9437d2.jpg)
[Culture &] Lee Soo-man, Founder of SM, Returns to K-pop in Full Force… Hosts an A2O Audition
The 3-year non-compete clause agreed with HYBE has been lifted. After launching A2O Entertainment, he is holding a large-scale audition, marking a return to K-pop.
'K-pop' maestro 'Lee Soo-man', returning to Korea after 3 years. . . 'A2O Entertainment' steps in'SM Entertainment' founder and producer 'Lee Soo-man' is breaking a three-year hiatus and making an immediate return to the domestic 'K-pop' market.
