Speculations rise as Lee Soo Man may be eyeing the entertainment industry again.
Lee Soo Man, the former leader of SM Entertainment, appears to be considering a comeback to the entertainment sphere with a new business endeavor. Official documents indicate that Lee has sought to protect the term “A20 Entertainment” as a trademark, operating through his private entity, Blooming Grace.
Reported by My Daily, the trademark filing was placed on May 3, covering an extensive array of services and sectors. These span entertainment services, gaming devices, marketing, property management, multimedia products, pet care consultation, apparel, logistics, creative design work, hospitality industry services, healthcare facilities, and legal consultancy.
Lee Soo Man parted ways with SM Entertainment after a contentious power struggle in March of the previous year.
Post-SM, Lee signed an agreement to sell his stock to HYBE, which includes restrictions against producing within South Korea for a three-year period, as well as hiring employees from SM Entertainment or contracting with its artists.
Since the exit, Lee has turned his attention to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ventures through Blooming Grace, steering clear from any immediate involvement in the local entertainment industry, in obedience to the non-compete agreement.
Nevertheless, the media continues to be intrigued by his latest trademark endeavor. The approval for the trademark is in continuation, and the moniker “A20 Entertainment” hints that the K-Pop icon might be prepping for a fresh enterprise post the HYBE agreement cessation.
The wide spectrum of categories encompassed in the trademark application signals Lee’s ambition to establish a diversified corporate empire, reflecting a common trend among K-Pop entertainment firms.
Observers from the industry are keen to determine whether he will enter back into the fold of Korean entertainment as the leader of a new enterprise and if he will take up his previous production roles after the non-compete timeframe terminates.
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FAQs about Lee Soo Man and “A20 Entertainment”
Q: Who is Lee Soo Man?
A: Lee Soo Man is the founder of SM Entertainment, one of the largest South Korean entertainment companies. He has been a significant figure in the K-Pop industry.
Q: What is “A20 Entertainment”?
A: “A20 Entertainment” is the name of a trademark that Lee Soo Man has applied for, which is presumably for a new entertainment venture he is planning.
Q: Has Lee Soo Man disconnected from SM Entertainment?
A: Yes, Lee Soo Man has stepped down from his position and parted ways with SM Entertainment following disputes over management.
Q: Can Lee Soo Man start a new entertainment company right away?
A: Due to a non-compete clause in his agreement with HYBE after leaving SM Entertainment, Lee cannot engage in production activities in South Korea or hire SM employees for a set period.
Conclusion
The trademark application for “A20 Entertainment” by Lee Soo Man has piqued the curiosity of many in the industry, speculating a potential return to the entertainment business arena once his non-compete clause expires. If Lee’s application gets approved and he moves forward with this new venture, it will mark a new chapter in his career and potentially in the K-Pop industry landscape. This comes at a time when the K-Pop industry continues to grow globally, suggesting that his timing could be strategic. Fans and industry experts alike will no doubt keep a close eye on developments surrounding “A20 Entertainment.”