Bada (바다), a singer from the legendary first-generation K-pop girl group S.E.S., recently opened up about her nearly 30-year relationship with former SM Entertainment chief producer Lee Soo-man (이수만). She not only expressed gratitude for his continuous musical guidance but also shared a heartwarming story for the first time: Lee Soo-man had paid her university tuition when her family was struggling financially, a gesture she has never forgotten. The post offered a rare glimpse into the influential entertainment mogul's lesser-known side.
On the 16th, Bada posted a lengthy message on her personal social media, reflecting on her long-standing connection with Lee Soo-man. As Lee Soo-man recently returned to the Korean music scene with new idol groups after his three-year non-compete clause expired, her post was widely interpreted as a blessing for his comeback.
In her post, Bada recalled meeting Lee Soo-man for the first time 29 years ago when she was 18. She described feeling as though she was "talking to someone who could see the future." She stated that Lee Soo-man was already able to clearly envision the future positioning and development of K-pop idols, even explaining it in detail to her as an 18-year-old, which gave her a deeper understanding of the industry.
Speaking about her pre-debut days, Bada admitted that her father was a vocalist, so she had received extensive vocal training before entering the industry. However, she wasn't prepared for how to break into the pop music market, especially the idol industry with its distinct styles and polished images.
She credited Lee Soo-man with helping her find her suitable musical identity, explaining that he crafted a new image for her, who already possessed strong vocal abilities, with a more fashionable musical style. This also instilled in her the confidence and sense of mission to become the lead vocalist for Korea's first-generation girl idols.
Bada also revealed that during her time with S.E.S., Lee Soo-man would pose questions for her to ponder daily. She would then spend each night meticulously working through the answers, gradually building her musical perspective. Upon receiving song demos from him, she wouldn't procrastinate but would practice repeatedly in her own way before presenting the results.
She believes these experiences not only influenced her performance during her S.E.S. days but also became crucial nourishment for her subsequent development as a solo artist, allowing her to maintain her commitment to fundamental skills when facing different musical challenges.
Discussing Lee Soo-man's unchanging qualities, Bada emotionally stated, "It's strange, but his soul seems not to age." She recalled sensing a pure, youthful conviction from him back then, a quality that remains even after their recent conversations.
However, the most touching part of the entire article was Bada's final mention of a personal anecdote. She wrote, "Ah, there's one more thing I truly won't forget in my lifetime." She then revealed that Lee Soo-man, knowing her family's difficult financial situation at the time, had paid her university tuition. Bada once again expressed her gratitude to him, concluding with "Thank you, teacher, fighting!" leaving a warm note on their 29-year relationship.
Bada debuted in 1997 as a member of S.E.S., the first-generation girl group launched by SM Entertainment. The trio, also comprising Eugene (유진) and Shoo (슈), rose to fame with songs like "I'm Your Girl" and "Dreams Come True," becoming one of the most iconic groups in the history of Korean girl groups. Beyond group activities, Bada has remained active in the entertainment industry as a solo singer and musical actress.
As for Lee Soo-man, during the SM Entertainment management dispute in 2023, he sold his 14.8% stake to HYBE and signed a three-year non-compete agreement preventing him from engaging in record production in Korea. This restriction was lifted in February of this year.
During this period, Lee Soo-man established A2O Entertainment and continued to expand into overseas markets. In 2024, he launched the girl group A2O MAY, composed of Chinese members. Recently, he returned to the Korean music scene with the nine-member girl group A2O LITE and the 15-member boy group A2O SOUL.
