Slave contracts, plastic surgeries, and more ¡ª Fans call for boycott of 'Lee Soo Man: The King of K-Pop' documentary
The documentary traces the journey of Lee Soo Man through SM Entertainment which represents groups like EXO, aespa, Red Velvet, NCT, Girls' Generation, TVXQ, Shinee, RIIZE, Lucas, Hearts2Hearts and more.
Shocking one and all, Prime Video released the trailer of their upcoming documentary titled, Lee Soo Man: The King of K-Pop, produced by This Machine. At its core is Lee Soo Man, the founder of the K-pop agency SM Entertainment, whose vision and influence helped lay the foundation for the global K-pop wave.
The documentary charts Lee's decades-long journey: from building an entertainment giant to launching some of the biggest idol groups in K-pop history namely EXO, aespa, Red Velvet and more. But it doesn't stop at the glossy surface ¡ª the film also explores the highs, the lows, and the power struggles within the company.
The man who defined an era. Lee Soo Man: The King of K-Pop premieres May 13. pic.twitter.com/Bwc5QHGFHr
¡ª Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) April 29, 2025
Fans call for boycott
Using rare footage and behind-the-scenes clips, The King of K-Pop is said to offer an unfiltered look at the intense world of idol training, choreography, and music video production.
However, many K-pop fans remain unimpressed, pointing out that SM Entertainment has long been mired in controversies ¡ª from contractual disputes with artists and tax evasion to allegedly pressuring idols into plastic surgery to meet Korean beauty standards.
Many took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to call for a boycott of the documentary, claiming that several of their favorite idols suffered under the agency¡¯s control.
One said, "Imagine calling this tax evading, plastic surgery pushing, blood obsessed, minor abusing, law manipulating slimeball the king of anything ."
imagine calling this tax evading, plastic surgery pushing, blood obsessed, minor abusing, law manipulating slimeball bastard the king of anything. https://t.co/7YuKelLURL
¡ª ??¨A?Mega? ? ??? ???? ???¨@? (@megaminimoni_) April 30, 2025
Another said, "The king of K-pop whose an actual wanted criminal???? Prime have some ethics on which documentaries you¡¯ll put out! This person is a sham "
The king of K-pop whose an actual wanted criminal???? Prime have some ethics on which documentaries you¡¯ll put out! This person is a sham! https://t.co/ZlhWB9lb1Y
¡ª anoo ??? (@Anewanoo7) April 30, 2025
One wrote, "I hope Jonghyun¡¯s family sues whoever directed this bullshit."
I hope jonghyun¡¯s family fucking sues whoever directed this bullshit
¡ª ??????? rebby | SAW JINKI ? (@cubchuu) April 29, 2025
Another wrote, "We ask that you not support this documentary due to the lack of respect shown by the filmmakers in using photos of Jonghyun's funeral alongside the phrase 'the dark side of K-pop.' Reducing Jonghyun to that phrase and using such sensitive images is truly disrespectful."
??We ask that you not support this documentary due to the lack of respect shown by the filmmakers in using photos of Jonghyun's funeral alongside the phrase "the dark side of K-pop."??
¡ª Bling bling Leo ??(he/they) (@ElLeodowaldo) April 29, 2025
Reducing Jonghyun to that phrase and using such sensitive images is really disrespectful. https://t.co/7hdXHvLWpT pic.twitter.com/hzWKnPAEXD
One added, "Oh right, the man behind slave contracts, whose agency has faced multiple lawsuits, who blacklisted anyone who dared to fight for their rights, and whose agency has repeatedly abused its Chinese idols for decades."
Oh right, the man who¡¯s behind slave contracts, whose agency has faced multiple lawsuits, that has blacklisted anyone who has dared to fight for their rights, and the same man whose agency has repeatedly abused its Chinese idols for decades https://t.co/9sJh5tHcMu
¡ª ??? ????????? Dare or Death? (@wonhuiranghae) April 30, 2025
Another stated, "Reducing Jonghyun¡ªhis art, his life¡ªto a mere footnote in some twisted narrative about 'K-pop¡¯s dark side' to make LSM look better is disgusting. It¡¯s vile. Using videos from his funeral to serve that agenda? That¡¯s not just insensitive, it¡¯s exploitative and absolutely sickening."
Reducing Jonghyun, his art, his life to a mere footnote in some twisted narrative about ¡°kpops dark side¡± to make LSM look better is disgusting. Its vile. Using videos from his funeral to serve that agenda? Thats not just insensitive, its exploitative and absolutely sickening https://t.co/FAQz6ueu1D
¡ª m¡Þri - B2ST is back!? (@jonghyunoutdid) April 29, 2025
More about Lee Soo Man and SM Entertainment
Lee Soo Man was officially ousted from his position at SM Entertainment through a gradual process that began in October 2022.
As one of the most influential agencies in K-pop, SM Entertainment launched and managed top acts such as EXO, aespa, Red Velvet, NCT, Girls' Generation, Kangta, BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee, RIIZE, Lucas, Naevis, and Hearts2Hearts.
The documentary is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on May 13. It will also feature interviews with notable artists like EXO's Suho, NCT 127's Taeyong, and members of aespa, who reflect on their personal journeys in the industry.
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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