On October 5 (local time), Allkpop (American Korean Wave media outlet) reported that Lee Soo-man (SM’s former founder), Yoo Young-jin (SM’s former composer), and Sunny (member of Girl’s Generation) were seen together in China. In the photos, the three were walking side by side on the street.
Lee Soo-man left SM last March after a long tenure. Subsequently, he sold his shares to the domestic entertainment company HYBE. Along with this, he entered into a non-compete agreement stating that he would not produce music in South Korea for three years.
In May, Lee Soo-man filed a trademark for an entertainment company called “Blooming Grace”. He was then spotted in Shanghai with Yoo Young-jin in June, where photos of them surfaced online, showing the two talking with boys presumed to be trainees.
This has led to speculation that Lee Soo-man is turning his attention overseas and may be returning to the entertainment industry. In fact, Blooming Grace confirmed that they conducted trainee auditions in China and Japan. With Lee Soo-man being spotted alongside Sunny this time, curiosity is growing about whether the three will collaborate. Sunny left SM in August of last year and is currently uncontracted.
In May, Lee Soo-man delivered a keynote speech as the founder of SM at the CISAC World Congress, marking his first official public appearance since parting ways with SM. Many people’s attention was drawn to his presence at the event. When asked about rumors of a “comeback”, Lee Soo-man replied, “You’ll know soon.”
Meanwhile, Sunny was the only member not present at the Girls’ Generation 17th anniversary celebration. The other members shared group photos and replaced Sunny’s image with a digital composite.