Okay fellow fans — big moment: Lee Soo-man, the man often called the “King of K‑pop,” recently spoke to the South China Morning Post about two huge topics that affect our scene: China’s role in K‑pop and the growing problem of online bullying aimed at idols.
He talked about the realities surrounding China and the industry, and also raised concerns about the online harassment that many artists face. As a longtime industry figure, his comments add weight to conversations fans and agencies have been having for years.
Quick context bites every fan should know:
- Lee Soo-man is the founder of SM Entertainment, the agency behind major K‑pop acts and a pioneer of the modern K‑pop system.
- The Chinese market has long been a major audience and business opportunity for K‑pop artists, but it’s also brought complex cultural and political considerations.
- Online harassment and cyberbullying directed at idols is a persistent issue — it affects mental health and has prompted calls for stronger protections from agencies and platforms.
As a fan, I’m glad conversations like this are happening publicly — it’s important for industry leaders to acknowledge the pressure idols face and for the community to keep pushing for safer spaces online.
Source: South China Morning Post