Meet A2O LITE, A2O SOUL: K-pop ‘architect’ unveils new groups

Three years after leaving the major K-pop agency he founded, Lee Soo-man, widely regarded as the “architect” or “godfather” of modern K-pop, has returned to the music scene with two promising new acts: a boy group and a girl group.

On Tuesday, girl group A2O LITE released its debut single, “Neon,” while boy group A2O SOUL unveiled a pre-release single, “Superstar,” marking the two acts’ first steps into the K-pop scene.

Both groups are signed to A2O Entertainment, established by Lee, who founded leading K-pop agency SM Entertainment and remained with the company until his departure in 2023 following a high-profile management dispute.

According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, A2O LITE consists of Young, Vora and Ayune from South Korea; Himeki from Japan; Xili, Merci and Aijing from China; Rada from Thailand; and Oa, who holds dual U.S. and Japanese citizenship.

Meanwhile, A2O Soul reportedly comprises 15 members including Moon, Seoha, Hansung and See-one from Korea; Lucien from both Korea and the United States; Sora, Gaku and Sono from Japan; Teo, Jun, Tai, Zai, Ayden and Zet from China; and Alure from Thailand.

Both groups were introduced at a debut showcase in Goyang, South Korea on Monday, where they performed but did not speak to reporters. Instead, the event focused on presenting the label’s vision and technology, the Korea JoongAng Daily reported.

A2O, short for “Alpha to Omega,” envisions a connection “where global fans and artists come together across the entire entertainment journey, from its beginning (Alpha) to the end (Omega),” according to the company’s profile on its website.

The label is also promoting a musical style dubbed “Zalpha Pop,” aimed at audiences from Generation Z and Generation Alpha.

A2O is the latest venture by Lee, who founded SM Entertainment in the 1990s and pioneered a rigorous training system for aspiring performers who would eventually debut as K-pop stars known as “idols.”

He also helped popularize several concepts in K-pop, including sub-units targeting overseas markets, fictional universes woven into groups’ music and releases, and NCT’s multi-unit structure that departed from the traditional fixed-member format of idol groups. He also helped introduce the concept of virtual avatar counterparts for the members of girl group aespa.

In 2023, Lee left SM following a high-profile battle for control of the company, during which he sold most of his stake to rival K-pop agency HYBE, which ultimately withdrew its bid to acquire SM.

Following his departure from SM, Lee established A2O, which introduced its first act, the Chinese girl group A2O MAY, in 2024.