Interview: Ting Poo unveils Lee Soo-man’s K-pop empire in groundbreaking doc

In exclusive interviews with The Rebel Yellow, both the pioneering director and the legendary producer share their insights about this groundbreaking project:

Rebel Yellow: What initially drew you to tell the story of Lee Soo Man and his role in shaping the global K-pop phenomenon?

Ting Poo: “Lee Soo Man’s story is a story of stories: music and culture, Korean history and technology. It was a way to not only discover the genesis of a singular global phenomenon from its founding father, but to also delve into the cultural context that gave birth to it, and see the future of entertainment through the eyes of someone who continues to shape it.”

Rebel Yellow: How did you capture the creative process behind SM Entertainment’s groundbreaking approach to artist development and production?

Ting Poo: “We were let into auditions, trainee classes, a music video shoot, and a song camp so that we could see all the different aspects of not just artist development but music creation, and art direction. We were given interviews with iconic artists from each generation of SM’s talent and I personally interviewed Lee Soo Man several times throughout the process. Between what we were able to capture and the archival footage we were granted access to I believe we were able to give the audience a deep look into Lee Soo Man’s process of development and production and its evolution over time.”

Rebel Yellow: Was there a particular moment or story from the documentary that you found especially inspiring or surprising?

Ting Poo: “As you’ll see in the film there have been many moments throughout his life where Lee Soo Man has faced challenges and adversity. Most recently, he was ousted from the company the spent his life building. This happened a few months into our production and I was able to witness firsthand his ability to find new pathways to continue creating, to keep pursuing his dreams. He’s a futurist by choice, looking for signals of what’s to come, unhindered by the conventions and wounds of the past. It made clear to me why he has been able to have such an impact the world.”

Rebel Yellow: How did you approach portraying Lee Soo Man’s vision and leadership style in a way that resonates with both K-pop fans and newcomers?

Ting Poo: “I tried to make a film that anyone new to the world of K-pop could understand, while providing depth and new access for those who know it well. In the end, I wanted to portray the man I met and experienced to the best of my ability, in a style that echoes the worlds he helped create. He compares K-pop to bibimbap and I would say the film is a bit like that too. There are parts that are very music-driven and poppy, there are dream sequences, there are more traditional parts that tell history through archival. It is layered both in form and content so I hope there’s something for everyone.”

Rebel Yellow: What do you hope viewers will take away about the cultural significance of K-pop through this documentary?

Ting Poo: “What is significant about K-pop (and the entire Korean Wave) to me is that it is one of the clearest examples in this century of the power of art and music to cross boundaries. The fact that the music that someone in South America is most passionate about can come from Korea and be sung in a language they don’t even speak is beautiful. It gives me hope that there are ways for us all to connect, we just need to create them. I also hope that the film shows how one dream, through persistence and passion, can help catalyze a movement and bring joy to millions of lives worldwide.”

Rebel Yellow: When you founded SM Entertainment, what was your original vision, and how has that vision evolved over the years?

Lee Soo-man: “When I established SM Entertainment, I had several key visions in mind.

“First, I envisioned shifting the paradigm from music as something you listen to, to music as something you experience visually. Rather than focusing solely on melodies and lyrics, I sought to create a comprehensive form of content that integrates music, visuals, video, and stage performances—treating music as a total art form through holistic production.

“Second, I aimed to transform the market paradigm from one defined by borders, to one where individual genres and fandoms themselves become markets. Instead of segmenting markets by geography, my vision was to cultivate a global music market where fandoms of groups, such as Girls’ Generation or EXO, would each form their own distinct global markets.

“Third, I envisioned building an industry structure centered around producers. In the era of digital media and content distribution, I considered how a company could establish a sustainable growth model. My conclusion was that the key lies in developing an industry model where producers are at the core.

“I believe these visions have now been realized in the global K-pop market we see today.”

Rebel Yellow: Could you share a groundbreaking moment or an example of innovation from your time at SM Entertainment that you are particularly proud of?

Lee Soo-man: “I have been fortunate to work with many wonderful people, and every moment spent with them has been an opportunity to create something new. So in a way, every moment holds pride for me.

“However, to answer your question:

“I recall the moment when H.O.T.’s concert in Beijing gave birth to the term ‘Hallyu’ (the Korean Wave).

“I also remember when BoA, the star of Asia, reached No. 1 on Japan’s Oricon charts, and the moment her first concert tour began.

“Another unforgettable memory is the flash mob dance organized by fans in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris, requesting an extension of the concert.

“There are countless more moments, but I would also mention SuperM’s Billboard No. 1 achievement with ‘Jopping’ as a proud milestone.

“Through these moments, I believe SM Entertainment has played a pivotal role in growing K-pop into a genre and cultural content that transcends borders and continents, loved by audiences worldwide.”

Rebel Yellow: In a constantly evolving industry, how do you stay inspired and motivated?

Lee Soo-man: “For me, it comes down to three things.

“First, curiosity. I’m always thinking about the future, constantly exploring new combinations of familiar elements to create something entirely original. It’s a curiosity that drives me to study the logical relationships between things in the world.

“Second, love. When I learn about something, I come to love it. And through that love, I begin to see things I couldn’t see before. This deeper perspective reveals unique qualities that differentiate what I create from others.

“Lastly, it is the determination to never give up until a goal is achieved. New ventures are always challenging and often bring unforeseen problems. However, I believe that unwavering dedication, driven by a firm belief in the goal and a deep love for the work itself, is the very force that creates new worlds.”