Lee Sung-soo explained

Lee Sung-soo
Image Upright:1.15
Other Names:Chris Lee[1]
Birth Date:3 November 1979
Alma Mater:Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
Years Active:1998–present
Relatives:Lee Soo-man (uncle)
Signature:Lee Sung-soo Signature.svg
Signature Size:250px
Signature Alt:Signature of Lee
Module:
Child:yes
Headercolor:transparent
Hangul:이성수
Rr:Lee Seong-su
Mr:Lee Sŏngsu

Lee Sung-soo[2] (; also spelled Lee Sung-su;[3] born November 3, 1979) is a South Korean music production director and A&R executive. He is the chief A&R officer of SM Entertainment and CEO of Kreation Music Rights. He was formerly the CEO of SM Entertainment and SM Entertainment USA. Lee began working for SM as early as 1998 as a part-timer and officially joined the agency in 2005 as an A&R representative, before later becoming head of the production division.

Lee is an expert in the field of music production and is considered one of the key figures who has led the growth of SM. A member of the company's core organization of A&R, he has been responsible for the songs and concepts of SM artists such as BoA, Girls' Generation, Shinee, f(x), Exo, Red Velvet, and NCT.[4] [5] He is also known for introducing the idea of the songwriting camp to the K-pop industry.

Life and career

Born on November 3, 1979,[6] Lee Sung-soo graduated from the Department of International Trade at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.[7] He is the nephew of SM founder Lee Soo-man's late wife.[8] Lee began working for SM Entertainment as early as 1998 while attending university as a part-timer focused on various tasks, such as identifying fan club trends.[7] [9] He developed an interest in A&R<ref name="billboard">SM Entertainment A&R Chris Lee Talks 'Cultural Technology' & Creating K-Pop Hits. Billboard. Herman. Tamar. May 8, 2019. March 13, 2023. February 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230225233314/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chris-lee-sm-entertainments-kpop-interview-8526172/. live. and attended the SM Academy, where he studied computer composition and arrangement, stating that he should "know how to make music to be good at A&R".[10] He officially joined SM in 2005 as a member of the A&R department and worked with Chinese singer Zhang Liyin as his first project. The first group he worked with was Shinee,[11] whom he wrote two songs for: "Romeo and Juliette" and "The Name I Loved".[12] He became head of the A&R department in 2009 and head of the production division in 2015, directly under Lee Soo-man.[12] By that point, he was directing 80 percent of artist production.[10] Lee worked with numerous artists, including BoA, Girls' Generation, Exo, Red Velvet, and NCT,[4] but his influence was most clearly felt in the work of Shinee and f(x), whose "unique" style stood in opposition to the intense, performance-driven music championed by Yoo Young-jin, SM's music director.[5]

In 2013, Lee introduced the idea of the songwriting camp to the K-pop industry.[13] He had first started teaming up with foreign composers in the early 2000s, but initially found it difficult due to the low profile of K-pop at the time. Following the release of several hit songs by SM artists in 2009, he began to be invited to songwriting camps hosted by foreign music publishers, and brought the idea back to South Korea. Over the years, he identified talented composers and compiled them into a list, and within SM, they formed a studio that could operate a songwriting camp all year round.[14] Lee stayed abroad for a third of the year and formed a "strong" network of foreign composers, hosting songwriting camps for SM with them and the company's in-house composers.[15] [16] This system was eventually adopted by other K-pop companies.[13] He was also responsible for the creation of SM Station and SM Classics.[17]

Lee was appointed a registered director in 2017[4] and became CEO of SM Entertainment USA in 2019.[12] On March 10, 2020, SM announced through the board of directors that Lee Sung-soo, general director of music production, and Tak Young-jun, general director of artist management, had been appointed co-CEOs of the company.[18] Through the announcement of the company's appointment of two new executives, Lee was appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO), with Tak as the chief marketing officer (CMO), as SM celebrated its 25th year.[19]

In 2023, Lee and Tak became embroiled in a dispute over SM's management rights with founder Lee Soo-man. After being pushed out of the company due to shareholder outrage over high producing fees, Lee Soo-man sold his shares to Hybe Corporation, making them the largest shareholder. Lee and Tak, who had been planning to restructure the company, allied themselves with technology company Kakao in an effort to guarantee SM's independence.[8] On March 12, Hybe withdrew from the takeover battle, ceding control of SM's management rights to Kakao.[20] Lee announced his intention to stand down as CEO and return to his role in A&R.<ref name="ytn"/> His term came to an end on March 31.[21] He was appointed the chief A&R officer (CAO) and is leading the A&R Committee following SM's reorganisation.[22] He was also appointed CEO of Kreation Music Rights, a newly-created subsidiary that focuses on music publishing.[11]

Keynote speeches

Event! scope="col"
DateCityVenueTheme
2014 Hallyu Trends and ProspectsJanuary 20, 2014SeoulKorea Press CenterProduction and Cultural Technology that Led to the Success of K-pop[23]
International Hallyu Workshop: Content Innovation for Korean Wave 3.0August 2, 2014BusanProduction Technology and Internationalization[24]
K-Factor: An Orchestral Exploration of K-popJune 19, 2019New York CityDavid Rubenstein AtriumThe True Value of K-pop[25]
2019 Content Industry ForumJune 25, 2019SeoulCKL StageIdol Worldview Strategy[26]
Day of ActionSeptember 7, 2019Starfield LibraryDreaming Together: The Future of K-pop and Culture Technology[27]
Digital New Deal Cultural Content IndustrySeptember 24, 2020GimpoCamp OneExamples of Online Non-face-to-face K-pop Performances[28]
Mu:Con Online 2020September 25, 2020Culture Technology, IP Industry and Untact[29]
Korea Investment Festival (KIF) 2020October 7, 2020SeoulConrad HotelThe Future Strategy of K-pop in the Post-Corona Era[30]
[31]
ComeUp 2020November 21, 2020GoyangCJ ENM Ilsan Production CenterCulture Technology, Shining in the Untact Era[32]
2nd World Culture Industry Forum (WCIF)July 1, 2021Combination of the Virtual and Real Worlds and Changes in the Entertainment Industry[33]
2021 StartUp:ConOctober 7, 2021SM Content Roadmap - Future Content Era with SMCU[34]
[35]
2022 Content Industry ForumApril 27, 2022World to Communicate with SMCU (SM Culture Universe)[36]
3rd World Culture Industry Forum (WCIF)July 6, 2022DaeguHotel Susung Convention HallThe Age of Metaverse: The Music and Entertainment Industry[37]
[38]
"—" denotes events where its venue was not publicized or was held online.

Filmography

Year! scope="col"
TitleRole
2022K-pop GenerationHimself[39]

Accolades

SM Entertainment was selected in the job creation category of the Korea Creative Management 2020 award for two consecutive years. Lee Sung-soo was mentioned as having a pivotal role in establishing SM as a "leading entertainment company in Asia," adding that Lee maintained the company's musical color and completeness due to operating and developing his system with producer Lee Soo-man since the mid-2000s.[40] Lee was listed along with Tak Young-jun in Billboards 2022 International Power Players,[41] and was included again in 2023.[42] Additionally, Lee was on the list of Billboards 2022 Indie Power Players, along with Tak, with Lee expressing his satisfaction with their achievement being noticed as the "trailblazers in the global music industry during such an exciting time for K-pop."[43]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Herman . Tamar . June 29, 2021 . K-pop label's big plans for NCT, Aespa and other acts in 2021 . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210629055922/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/news/article/3139125/new-music-nct-aespa-and-other-k-pop-acts-coming-2021-says-sm . June 29, 2021 . December 19, 2022 . South China Morning Post . en.
  2. Web site: Hyun-su . Yim . April 14, 2020 . SM Entertainment, Naver team up to launch concert streaming service . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220810031937/https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200414000582&md=20200417003212_BL . August 10, 2022 . August 10, 2022 . . en.
  3. Web site: Dong . Sun-hwa . June 29, 2021 . SM Entertainment invites K-pop fans to futuristic 'culture universe' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220810032206/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/06/732_311326.html?na . August 10, 2022 . August 10, 2022 . . en.
  4. Web site: Jeong . Mi-hyung . March 13, 2020 . ko:SM엔터, '킹메이커' 경영 전면 배치 노림수는 . SM Entertainment is Aiming to Deploy 'Kingmaker's' Management to the Public . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220808143143/http://www.thebell.co.kr/free/content/ArticleView.asp?key=202003111346167240108157&svccode=00&page=1&sort=thebell_check_time . August 8, 2022 . August 8, 2022 . The Bell . ko.
  5. Web site: https://www.sportsseoul.com/news/read/1201845. ko:착한 처조카 이성수는 왜 저항군 대장으로 '광야'에 섰을까 [조은별 기자의 ★★레터]. Why did Lee Sung-soo, a good wife's nephew, stand in the 'wilderness' as a resistance leader? [Reporter Jo Eun-byeol's ★★ Letter]. Sports Seoul. February 27, 2023. August 22, 2023. ko.
  6. Web site: ko:(주)에스엠엔터테인먼트 대표이사변경 . Change of CEO of SM Entertainment Co., Ltd. . live . https://archive.today/20221223023823/http://www12.etomato.com/HOME/itemAnalysis/itemNoticeView.aspx?no=709184 . December 23, 2022 . December 23, 2022 . ETomato . ko.
  7. Web site: Jang . Young-yeop . February 11, 2014 . ko:"SM의 매뉴얼은 독창적 기술이다" . "SM's Manual is an Original Technique" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170605092611/http://www.cine21.com/news/view/?mag_id=75820 . June 5, 2017 . August 7, 2022 . . ko.
  8. How Hybe's Battle For SM Entertainment Became a South Korean 'Succession' Drama. Billboard. Kwaak. Jeyup S.. Peoples. Glenn. March 9, 2023. March 13, 2023. March 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230311173319/https://www.billboard.com/pro/k-pop-hybe-battle-sm-entertainment-succession/. live.
  9. Web site: Jo . Eun-byul . March 10, 2020 . ko:SM, 40대 젊은 피 택했다! 이성수·탁영준 공동대표 선임 . SM Chose a Young Man in His 40s! Appointment of Lee Sung-soo and Tak Young-jun as Co-representatives . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220808025355/https://www.viva100.com/main/view.php?key=20200310010004340 . August 8, 2022 . August 7, 2022 . Bridge Economy . ko.
  10. Web site: Im . Hee-yoon . November 11, 2015 . ko:이성수 SM엔터테인먼트 프로듀싱본부장 "중요성 커지는 노랫말에 집중투자" . Lee Sung-soo, Director of SM Entertainment's Production Department, Said, "It's Important to Focus on the Growing Number of Songs" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210228222837/https://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20151111/74708085/1 . February 28, 2021 . August 8, 2022 . . ko.
  11. Web site: http://www.thebell.co.kr/free/content/ArticleView.asp?key=202308180633152960101690&amp;lcode=00. ko:이성수, A&R경력 앞세워 음악 퍼블리싱 자회사 지휘. Lee Sung-soo, with his A&R experience, leads a music publishing subsidiary. The Bell. Lee. Ji-hye. August 22, 2023. August 22, 2023. ko.
  12. Web site: https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/277/0005219334?sid=105. ko:[뉴스속 인물]이수만 저격나선 '처조카' 이성수. [Person in the News] Lee Sung-soo, the 'nephew of his wife' who attacked Lee Soo-man. Asia Economy. Naver. Choi. Yu-ri. February 17, 2023. March 13, 2023. ko. March 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151836/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/277/0005219334?sid=105. live.
  13. Web site: Meet the Veteran Producer Behind Dozens of K-Pop's Biggest Hits. Rolling Stone. Morin. Natalie. July 8, 2022. August 22, 2023.
  14. Web site: Kim . Bong-hyun . January 23, 2014 . ko:한국 가요, 외국인 작곡가 시대 열리나 . K-pop, Will the Era of Foreign Composers Open? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171004181333/http://hani.co.kr/arti/culture/music/621134.html . October 4, 2017 . August 8, 2022 . . ko.
  15. Web site: Lee . Eun-jung . October 7, 2013 . ko:다국적 작곡가 "SM 곡 함께 만든다"…K팝 제작 진화 . Multi-national Composer "Making SM songs together"…Evolution of K-pop Production . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220807140313/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0006520520 . August 7, 2022 . August 7, 2022 . . ko . Naver.
  16. Web site: Min . Kyung-won . December 1, 2016 . Singers finding space to experiment : With digital channels, agencies create arena for artists to try new sounds . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161202085421/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3026890 . December 2, 2016 . August 10, 2022 . . en.
  17. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&amp;aid=0001852948. ko:[Y피플] SM 이성수 CEO, '이수만 처조카' 타이틀 한 꺼풀 벗기면. CEO of SM Lee Sung-soo, if you take away the title of Lee Soo-man's wife's nephew. YTN. Naver. Kwak. Hyun-su. February 22, 2023. March 13, 2023. ko. March 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151754/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&aid=0001852948. live.
  18. Web site: Hong . Se-young . March 10, 2020 . ko:SM엔터테인먼트 이성수·탁영준 공동 대표이사 선임 [공식] . Lee Sung-soo·Tak Young-joon of SM Entertainment were Appointed as Co-CEOs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220808133649/https://sports.donga.com/article/all/20200310/100098968/1 . August 8, 2022 . August 8, 2022 . Sports Dong-a . ko.
  19. Web site: March 11, 2020 . SM Entertainment appoints new CEO & CMO . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200819195307/https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2020/03/11/sm-entertainment-appoints-new-ceo-cmo . August 19, 2020 . August 8, 2022 . SBS PopAsia . en.
  20. Web site: K-Pop: HYBE and Kakao End Hostilities in Takeover Battle for SM Entertainment. Variety. Frater. Patrick. March 11, 2023. March 13, 2023. March 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230312182710/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/k-pop-sm-entertainment-hybe-kakao-takeover-battle-1235550675/. live.
  21. Web site: https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0013852381?sid=101. ko:SM, 이수만 빠진 3.0 닻 올렸다…새 대표이사에 장철혁(종합). SM raises anchor for 3.0 without Lee Soo-man... Jang Chul-hyuk is the new CEO. Yonhap News Agency. Naver. Lee. Tae-soo. March 31, 2023. April 17, 2023. ko.
  22. Web site: https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/366/0000893605. ko:[단독] 백의종군 한다던 SM 이성수 전 대표, C레벨 복귀. [Exclusive] Former CEO Lee Sung-soo of SM, who was said to be Baek Ui-jong, returns to C level. The Chosun Ilbo. Lee. Eun-young. April 14, 2023. April 27, 2023. ko. April 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230427174156/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/366/0000893605. live.
  23. Web site: Cho . Sang-in . January 20, 2014 . ko:K팝 열기, 아시아→유럽→남미 . K-pop Fever, Asia → Europe → South America . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220808035249/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=011&aid=0002454813 . August 8, 2022 . August 8, 2022 . Seoul Economy . ko . Naver.
  24. Web site: Park . Hyun-joo . July 9, 2014 . ko:고려대 민족문화연구원 한류학센터, 부산서 국제 한류 워크숍 . Korea University's Center for Korean Wave Studies, An International Korean Wave Workshop in Busan . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218092400/https://www.ajunews.com/view/20140709162741224 . December 18, 2022 . December 18, 2022 . . ko.
  25. Web site: Choi . Hee-eun . May 1, 2019 . ko:'케이팝' 링컨센터 무대 오른다 . 'K-pop' is Going Up on Stage at Lincoln Center . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218093729/http://www.koreatimes.com/article/1245210 . December 18, 2022 . December 18, 2022 . . ko.
  26. Web site: Park . Hyun-joo . June 11, 2019 . ko:콘텐츠산업 지난 10년 앞으로 10년, 어떤 전략 필요한가? . What strategies are needed for the content industry in the next 10 years? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218101616/https://www.newsis.com/view/?id=NISX20190611_0000677657 . December 18, 2022 . December 18, 2022 . . ko.
  27. Web site: Lim . Hee-yoon . September 9, 2019 . ko:태풍처럼 왔다 간 요요마 "맘에 드는 케이팝, 언제든 연주" . Yo-Yo Ma, Who Came and Went Like a Typhoon "My favorite K-pop, play anytime" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218101428/https://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20190909/97338666/1 . December 18, 2022 . December 18, 2022 . . ko.
  28. Web site: Lee . Jin-wook . September 24, 2020 . ko:성공사례 발표하는 이성수 대표 . CEO Lee Sung-soo Presenting Success Stories . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218102358/https://www.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20200924230900013 . December 18, 2022 . December 18, 2022 . . ko.
  29. Web site: Hwang . Hye-jin . September 25, 2022 . ko:'뮤콘' SM 이성수 대표 "이수만, 코로나 전부터 '비욘드라이브' 준비, 뿌듯" . 'Mu:Con" Lee Sung-soo, CEO of SM "Lee Soo-man, I'm proud to prepare for 'Beyond Live' even before COVID-19" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218103817/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202009250958150410 . December 18, 2022 . December 18, 2022 . Newsen . ko.
  30. Web site: Cho . Jin-hyung . October 4, 2020 . ko:BBIG의 미래 한눈에 본다…'KIF 2020' 참여 열기 후끈 . You Can See the Future of BBIG at a Glance…Participation in 'KIF 2020' is Heating Up . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201006155315/https://www.hankyung.com/finance/article/2020100423751 . October 6, 2020 . December 18, 2022 . . ko.
  31. Web site: ko:코리아 인베스트먼트 페스티벌 2020 – 프로그램 . Korea Investment Festival 2020 – Program . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210418150701/https://event.hankyung.com/seminar/kif/ . April 18, 2021 . December 18, 2022 . . ko.
  32. Web site: Lee . Deok-ju . November 12, 2022 . 마켓컬리·씨젠 등 스타기업 출동…비대면 스타트업축제 '컴업2020' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218133103/https://www.mk.co.kr/news/business/9604947 . December 18, 2022 . December 18, 2022 . . ko.
  33. Web site: Lee . Seung-rok . July 2, 2021 . ko:이수만 '프로듀서'의 시대 안에서 '프로슈머'가 정점을 이루는 시대 . In the era of Lee Soo-man's 'Producer' the Era when 'Prosumer' Peaked . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210711141417/http://www.mydaily.co.kr/new_yk/html/read.php?newsid=202107021044527479&ext=na&utm_campaign=naver_news&utm_source=naver&utm_medium=related_news . July 11, 2021 . December 19, 2022 . MyDaily . ko.
  34. Web site: Oh . Hyo-jin . September 29, 2021 . ko:콘진원, '2021 스타트업콘' 내달 온라인 개최 . Korea Creative Content Agency, Will Hold the 2021 Startup Concert Online Next Month . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220529112319/https://www.venturesquare.net/838999 . May 29, 2022 . December 19, 2022 . VentureSquare . ko.
  35. Web site: Baek . Ji-eun . October 7, 2021 . ko:[공식] SM 이성수 대표, '2021 스타트업콘' 기조연설 " SMCU 통해 콘텐츠 넥스트 레벨 실현" . [Official] SM CEO Lee Sung-soo, Delivered a Keynote Speech at the '2021 StartUp:Con', "Realizing the next level of content through SMCU" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220808095706/https://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=202110070100047310002969&servicedate=20211007 . August 8, 2022 . December 19, 2022 . . ko.
  36. Web site: Hwang . Hye-jin . April 28, 2022 . ko:SM 이성수 대표 '콘텐츠산업포럼' 기조연설 "진일보한 CT 만들 것" . SM CEO Lee Sung-soo's Keynote Speech at the 'Content Industry Forum' "We will make more CTs" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219021922/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202204281301550410 . December 19, 2022 . December 19, 2022 . Newsen . ko.
  37. Web site: Lee . Jin-young . July 6, 2022 . ko:대구․수성구 '2022 제3회 세계문화산업포럼'개최 . Suseong-gu in Daegu will Host the '2022 3rd World Culture Industry Forum' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220810112053/http://www.newsfreezone.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=391822 . August 10, 2022 . December 19, 2022 . News Free Zone . ko.
  38. Web site: Seo . Byung-ki . July 20, 2022 . ko:제 3회 세계문화산업포럼, "메타버스는 팬이 주도하는 문화…팬덤 강한 에스파가 좋은 사례" . The 3rd World Culture Industry Forum, "Metaverse is a fan-led culture…Aespa with strong fandom is a good example" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219025545/http://news.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20220720000877 . December 19, 2022 . December 19, 2022 . Herald Economy . ko.
  39. Web site: Kang . Bo-ra . January 11, 2023 . ko:아이브 안유진→NCT 도영, '케이팝제너레이션' 티저 "진짜 케이팝 이야기" . Ive An Yu-jin → NCT Doyoung, 'K-pop Generation' Teaser "Real K-pop story" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230128144138/http://www.slist.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=416402 . January 28, 2023 . January 28, 2023 . Single List . ko.
  40. Web site: Song . Deok-soon . May 26, 2020 . ko:[THE CREATIVE 2020] 다국적 작곡가와 협업, 세계 시장에 'K-팝' 각인시켜 . [THE CREATIVE 2020] Collaborate with Multinational Composers to Imprint 'K-pop' on the Global Market . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219053059/https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/23785432 . December 19, 2022 . December 19, 2022 . . ko.
  41. April 25, 2022 . Revealed: Billboard's 2022 International Power Players . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220425160945/https://www.billboard.com/pro/billboard-international-power-players-2022-list/ . April 25, 2022 . December 23, 2022 . Billboard . en-US.
  42. Billboard's 2023 International Power Players Revealed. Billboard. Duffy. Thom. April 25, 2023. April 27, 2023.
  43. June 6, 2022 . Revealed: 2022 Indie Power Players . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220606153521/https://www.billboard.com/pro/billboard-indie-power-players-executives-list-2022/ . June 6, 2022 . December 19, 2022 . Billboard . en-US.

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