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A2O launches its first Korea-based idol acts
A2O Entertainment will debut a new boy band and girl group this month in the first domestic idol project from K-pop producer Lee Soo-man since he left SM Entertainment.
The company said A2O SOUL and A2O LITE will launch together, an unusual strategy in an industry where agencies typically introduce new groups one at a time. Although the two acts will have distinct music and concepts, A2O said they will share a connected fictional universe, a storytelling device commonly used in K-pop promotions. Details of that narrative have not yet been disclosed.
Promotional material released so far has emphasized the groups’ respective moods and visual identities rather than revealing their music or choreography. A2O SOUL released a mood-film teaser, while A2O LITE introduced individual member trailers.
Debut show and singles set for this month
The groups will unveil their first performances during the global debut show “WELCOME TO SOULITE From A2O SOUL A2O LITE” on the 12th. The event will also introduce the storyline linking the two acts and will stream internationally through platforms including M2 and Mnet Plus.
Both groups will formally debut at 6 p.m. Korean time on the 13th with separate digital singles. A2O SOUL will release “SUPERSTAR,” while A2O LITE will release “NEON.” Producer Yoo Young-jin, a longtime musical collaborator of Lee’s, contributed to the groups’ music and performances.
A2O opened official social media accounts and Plus Chat communities for both acts on the 8th. South Korean music program “M Countdown” also aired a preview announcing their upcoming appearance.
Lee Soo-man’s return to the Korean market
The launches mark Lee’s first official domestic debut project since a noncompete agreement restricting his record production activities in South Korea expired in February. Lee entered the three-year agreement when he transferred his SM Entertainment stake to HYBE in 2023.
Lee, A2O’s key producer and visionary leader, founded SM in the 1990s and helped develop the highly organized artist-development system that shaped modern K-pop. His credits span generations of major acts, from H.O.T. and S.E.S. to TVXQ, Girls’ Generation, EXO and NCT.
A2O SOUL and A2O LITE are also the first groups Lee is presenting under the label “Zalpha-Pop,” his latest creative banner. He previously launched girl group A2O MAY in 2024 with a focus on China and other international markets.
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