Source: SPOTV
Lee Soo-man, former general producer of SM Entertainment has released his position.
On the 16th, an official from his side released his position on SM CEO Lee Sung-soo's claims and stated, "Lee Soo-man who had kept quiet on the words and actions of his wife's nephew expressed his miserable feelings after reading the articles today."
Below is Lee Soo-man's full statement:
"I've watched my wife's nephew since he was 4 years old. At 19, he entered SM and I taught him how to manage together. He is a good-natured nephew who grew up in a family where his father was a pastor. My heart hurts."
Meanwhile, his nephew Lee Sung-soo released a video on YouTuber earlier that day and exposed Lee Soo-man's atrocities when he was General Producer at SM. Lee Sung-soo claimed that Lee Soo-man unfairly structured contracts with SM and HYBE and took profits in the name of "overseas production." His claims of 'sustainability' and 'planting trees' were just a guise for his true desire to obtain real-estate business rights to build a 'Lee Soo-man World' and legalize marijuana abuse through building casinos overseas. He further revealed that aespa's comeback was delayed because Lee Soo-man forced the A&R team to include "tree planting" lyrics into their music causing the members to be upset and distressed.
- [+1,100, -92] If it wasn't for Lee Soo-man, his nephew wouldn't be anywhere near the position he's at now.. what an ungrateful ba$tard that Lee Sung-soo!
- [+624, -23] I don't know if he truly evaded taxes with his companies but what I know for sure he's a kid that wouldn't have been able to enter there at all if he wasn't his nephew.
- [+253, -8] I don't know about everyone else but a nephew kid that you personally took care of shouldn't do something like that..
- [+210, -18] Wow, so ungrateful of him! Looks like Lee Soo-man's mistake was in not properly taking out the trash!!
- [+169, -18] That's not the way to treat Korea's one-top Hallyu contributor!!
- [+125, -1] I don't know who's right or wrong here but how can a nephew expose his own uncle's tax evasion like thisㅋㅋㅋㅋ? He's the one that brought him to where he is today but he put a knife on his back like this? He must be greedy with money and powerㅋㅋㅋㅋ.
- [+93, -1] A nephew like that betraying his own uncle?? Does he realize he's a nugu in that company? He only has an empty title that he was able to get because of his uncle and founder who left a huge footprint in the K-pop industry. How long does he think he'll be able to keep serving as CEOㅋㅋㅋㅋ?
- [+63, -0] Lee Sung-soo is going to completely get kicked out the industry.. he's a dirty snake with zero loyalty and ingratitude that he betrayed his own uncle.. even if others betray him he shouldn't do it!!
- [+55, -0] Black-headed beasts never win!!
- [+54, -0] Whether Lee Soo-man did tax evasion or not, what's truly shocking is him joining hands with Kakao to kick out his own uncle who he worked under for 10 years?!!
- [+21, -0] A dog that doesn't know its owner.. being young doesn't necessary mean you have talents.. dogs should recognize their masters!!
- [+19, -0] The entire Korean entertainment industry was built by Lee Soo-man.. stop it.