[disc] Mr. Lee Soo Man's B-day Preparation

Last edited by aeinsshi on Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:15 am; edited 1 time in total

How Would SM Entertainment Artists Celebrate Mr. Lee Soo Man's 56th Birthday?

A modest four-story building in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul's high-fashion district, is the headquarters of SM Entertainment. It is the country's major talent agency, credited with discovering and fostering the careers of most of Korea's teenage stars. Considering the agency's long-standing success, its building is surprisingly nondescript — it's not marked with any signboards, banners or flags. If not for the teenage fans crowding the entrance or the graffiti on the wall proclaiming, "I love you, TVXQ!", one would have no clue what that building is. The company says it feels no need to be more visible since it already gets plenty of visitors. Also in the neighborhood are Kimjonghak Productions, one of Korea's top production companies and Cheongdam High School, where many up-and-coming teenage talents are enrolled.

The office of Mr. Lee Soo Man, the founder and CEO of the entertainment juggernaut, is equally ordinary-looking. The only thing that sets it apart is a display of about 300 trophies won by SM artists such as H.O.T, S.E.S, Shinhwa, BoA, TVXQ and Super Junior at music awards, along with their photographs and the place where the artists usually surprise him on his birthday.

Lee Soo Man seemed pretty excited with good news about his talents, how they worked hard to be what they are now. Lee Soo Man seems reticent and even defensive, conscious of persistent criticism that SM artists can dance but can't sing with the possible exception of BoA, Super Junior and TVXQ. Koreans seem to have two opinions of Mr. Lee. He is undoubtedly the best at commercializing Korean pop culture at home and abroad. But he is blamed for discrediting the local music industry with teenage dance stars; it doesn't help his image to also be the biggest beneficiary of a virtual entertainment monopoly.

Lee Soo Man recently stated on JoongAng Ilbo: "Due to illegal downloads the music industry is contracting, and with revenue sources limited to TV commercials, our only hope is the global market. Our ultimate destination is, of course, China, the new Hollywood. It is our dream that Korean and Japanese pop will meet in the Chinese 'melting pot', find out who's Asia's best and finally compete with the top players in the United States and Europe. As for BoA's debut in the United States, we intend to be cautious ... We will go when we are certain of success."

Lee started as a singer in the 1970s. Twenty years later, he produced the country's first hip-hop artist, Hyun Jin Young. Together with renowned composer Yoo Young Jin, Lee Soo Man founded SM Entertainment, launching numerous teenage pop stars. He literally raised them, teaching dance, music and foreign languages to young teenagers with star qualities.

In the case of TVXQ and Super Junior, the training included painstaking dance practice. SM Entertainment is noted for its "one-source multi-usage" strategy for its stable of talents. It introduced various kinds of marketing materials featuring its artists.

Last year its affiliate, SM Pictures, produced a movie starring Super Junior. Fans who would buy anything involving their favorite stars are the biggest contributor to SM's success.

Today SM Entertainment is expanding into about 40 businesses, including drama production and karaoke management. This year, it is going to present its first musical, "Xanadu" where Kang In and Kim Hee Chul of Super Junior are a part of it.

According to a recent survey, Lee Soo Man was the third biggest holder of Korean stocks in the entertainment business after singer/producer J.Y. "When I was a singer myself, it hurt my pride to see people go crazy over foreign pop stars like Leif Garrett and New Kids on the Block. I wanted people to go crazy over our homegrown stars. I was certain that our entertainment market would grow remarkably once the economy gained momentum. I know there are many criticisms about us, such as tainting the music industry with lip-syncing teenage dancers. But I believe the pop culture industry is just like a democracy. Just like you would vote for the politicians you support, you buy the albums of those you like. That is how music survives. In a capitalistic entertainment industry, it's inevitable that the true star dominates the market and rakes in the money," Lee said.

"I do not agree when people label our singers as mere teenage idol stars. We are not just an idol agency, but we strive to become a global entertainment company. I don't see the need to define whether one's a true musician or a teenage idol star. I think pop culture is all about enjoying what you like."

This week is a very important week for SM Entertainment. Lee Soo Man is celebrating his 56th Birthday on June 18 [wednesday]. BoA, Girls' Generation, KANGTA, SHINee, Super Junior, TVXQ and other SM Entertainment artists never will forget to celebrate the most important day for Lee Soo Man. They have their different ways to extend their love for him.

:angel: saeng-il chukha hamnida father SM :angel:

Subject: Re: [disc] Mr. Lee Soo Man's B-day Preparation Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:28 pm

woooow... MR. LSM... i find you abit inspiring about what u said :tearing: ....

Quote :: "I
do not agree when people label our singers as mere teenage idol stars.
We are not just an idol agency, but we strive to become a global
entertainment company. I don't see the need to define whether one's a
true musician or a teenage idol star. I think pop culture is all about
enjoying what you like."

i totally agree with this.... tearsofjoy

well, father SM... just wanna say~
SAENGIR CUKKAHAMNIDA... thanks for bringing us SUPERJUNIOR oppa's in our lives.... can't deny the fact, that you're good at choosing talents...

well, i know you have your own plans and move for your artists, through criticism and problems goin' ahead....

that's it.. JAL HAE BWA... ahjussi...

Subject: Re: [disc] Mr. Lee Soo Man's B-day Preparation Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:34 pm

Awww...

Hmm.. well even though sometime he migt me hursh with them but he do have a warm heartd..

well Mtr.Leesooman..
saengir chukkahaeyo,...

Thanks for ur good talents star have u been screach

good luck..

Subject: Re: [disc] Mr. Lee Soo Man's B-day Preparation Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:58 pm

Saengil chukkahamnida Mr Lee Soo Man deceiving

wish you good luck...

Thank you for giving us Super Junior oppas...thank you for finding them bow

Subject: Re: [disc] Mr. Lee Soo Man's B-day Preparation Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:58 pm

LSM ABEOJI! SAENGIRCHUKHAHAEYO!! so good!

may you have a memorable birthday!! i wish one day i can throw one for you.. hehehehe....with ELFs and cassiopeians... smiling

Saengil Chukkha hamnida Mr. Lee Soo Man.....
Stay healthy and God bless....

[disc] Mr. Lee Soo Man's B-day Preparation

[disc] Mr. Lee Soo Man's B-day Preparation

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