A2O MAY reflects the global music ambition of Lee Sooman

A2O MAY showcases the global vision Lee Sooman now pursues after stepping away from SM Entertainment to build a new platform. Their breakthrough in U.S. radio charts and creative direction rooted in Zalpha Pop highlight his evolving approach to global K-pop success. However, many in Korea express discomfort with his strategy of forming a Chinese girl group and promoting cultural partnerships with China, reflecting deeper national sentiments.

A2O MAY embodies the new creative vision of Lee Sooman

After parting ways with SM Entertainment, Lee Sooman launched a new chapter in his career through A2O Entertainment. A2O MAY, his first girl group under this label, consists of five Chinese members with diverse backgrounds who represent his evolving artistic vision. With a genre called Zalpha Pop, he introduces a sound tailored to Gen Z and Alpha sensibilities. Their concept blends futuristic music, bold visuals, and storytelling that resonate with today’s global youth.

Lee Sooman proves his global reach through A2O MAY debut success

The group’s debut track “Under My Skin” marked a significant breakthrough by entering the Mediabase Top 40 chart in the United States. For two weeks in a row, the song remained on the chart, an unprecedented feat for a Chinese girl group. Their initial rank at number 39 reflected strong support from over 180 American radio stations. This early success confirms that Lee Sooman’s new direction is gaining real traction beyond Asia.

The performance of A2O MAY shows the production expertise of Lee Sooman

Their follow-up single “BOSS” continued to build on their global momentum by reaching 6.3 million views within three days. On QQ Music, China’s top streaming platform, the track soared to first place, highlighting their growing digital presence. The members’ skills in music, visuals, and performance combined with Lee Sooman’s seasoned production approach made a strong impression on fans worldwide. The blend of talent and strategy reinforces their appeal across multiple audiences.

A2O MAY takes its first major stage under Lee Sooman’s guidance

On May 10, A2O MAY will perform at the KIIS FM Wango Tango festival in the United States. Sharing the stage with global stars like Doja Cat and Gwen Stefani, they enter the American market with high expectations. Le Soo-man’s belief in cross-cultural communication will be tested as his group faces their most visible audience yet. The festival marks an important milestone for their journey into global music territory.

Zalpha Pop represents how Lee Sooman connects generations through A2O MAY

Zalpha Pop, a genre crafted by Lee Sooman, combines rhythmic synth-pop with emotional storytelling. A2O MAY delivers this vision using their multilingual fluency and diverse artistic backgrounds, including songwriting, piano, and visual design. Their songs address inner reflection and youthful themes, making them relatable to younger audiences. “Under My Skin” captures these qualities, acting as both an artistic statement and cultural bridge between generations.

Lee Sooman’s China-Focused Strategy Faces National Sentiment

Korean online communities remain largely skeptical toward Lee Sooman’s recent endeavors through A2O MAY. Many highlight that 44.3% of Korean youth named China their least favored country, reflecting a sharp anti-China sentiment. Against this backdrop, creating a Chinese girl group and passing on K-pop expertise triggers discomfort and criticism. Lee Sooman once claimed that “China will become Asia’s Hollywood, and Korea should support and share its technology.” In Korea, such comments often appear unpatriotic and spark nationalistic backlash.

Global Trends Challenge Lee Sooman’s Strategic Focus

Even if one gives Lee Sooman the benefit of the doubt, his plan could be seen as reviving K-pop by uniting Chinese markets. However, many idol groups—like BTS, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, SEVENTEEN, and aespa—have succeeded globally without prioritizing China. These groups now collaborate with Western pop stars and thrive across U.S. and European charts. In this context, Lee Sooman’s China-first strategy seems outdated. Still, he was born in 1952 and is now 72 years old. Many admire that he refuses to settle and continues pushing forward with new ideas.

Lee Sooman Return with the Rookies for Global Music Scene

Lee Sooman, through A2O Entertainment, introduces the Rookies to the global music scene, marking his return to production. This new project includes multiple teams, aligning with Lee’s vision to create “Zalpha-Pop” for the worldwide “Zalpha” generation.

Here’s a link to MLBPARK.

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