Lee Soo Man & Yang Hyun Suk both currently have stock holdings worth over 200 billion KRW ($176 million USD) each

SM Entertainment chairman Lee Soo Man and YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun Suk have joined the ranks of the rich and fabulous who own stocks worth 200,000,000,000 KRW ($176 million USD).

This is all thanks to Hallyu making waves across the globe, and in the case of YG, “Gangnam Style” was a huge contributor.

According to a Chaebul.com report on August 27th, based on the closing price of the stock market on August 24th, SM Chairman Lee Soo Man possessed 242,000,000,000 KRW ($213 million USD), while Yang Hyun Suk possessed 223,100,000,000 KRW ($196 million USD).

This is the first time two celebrities have both obtained stock wealth in the 200 billion KRW range at the same time.

The stock price for SM Entertainment, the label home to Girls’ Generation, Super Junior, and more closed out at 55,100 KRW (~$48) on August 24th, and the chairman who owns 21.5% (4,392,368 shares) was ranked as the celebrity with the greatest stock wealth. The same day, the company’s market capitalization was recorded at 1.125 trillion KRW ($995 million USD), setting a new record. The price of the stock fell to 53,900 KRW (~$47 USD) on August 27th, but SM is still in the lead when it comes to total market cap for entertainment companies.

CEO Yang Hyun Suk of YG Entertainment, the label home to Big Bang and artist Psy who became an overnight sensation with “Gangnam Style“, owns 35.79% (3,659,554 shares), and though he had steadily seen capital increase without much consideration, he has recently seen a 71.7% spike in stock wealth compared to the beginning of this year. On August 27th, YG’s stock price was 62,500 KRW (~$55 USD), close to their high of 65,000 KRW (~$57 USD) (Feb 21st, 2012). YG Entertainment has a market capitalization of around 645 billion KRW ($570 million USD).

Head of Key East and main lead of previous hit drama series ‘Winter Sonata‘ Bae Yong Jun is third on the list of celebrities with the greatest stock wealth, with 19,500,000,000 KRW (~17 million USD). J.Y. Park, founder of JYP Entertainment, the label home to Wonder Girls and 2PM was next on the list with 5,900,000,000 KRW (~$5.2 million), while Yang Soo Kyung, former artist and wife of Yedang Entertainment CEO Byun Doo Seob claimed fifth place with a similar amount.

Source & Image: SeoulNewspaper via Nate

Lee Soo Man revealed to have personally convinced Kang Ho Dong to join SM C&C

Kang Ho Dong stunned the industry a couple days ago when he announced that he would be returning to the industry hand in hand with SM Entertainment‘s SM C&C.

As it turned out, Lee Soo Man himself revealed that he had approached the MC first with phone calls in order to bring him on board to the team. Many had assumed that Super Junior‘s Leeteuk had a played a part in the role, as they had previously worked together on SBS‘ ‘Star King‘.

Lee Soo Man, however, was the real man behind the deal, as he convinced Kang Ho Dong’s representatives by revealing that he had set up a system specifically for Kang Ho Dong within the company.

A representative of Kang Ho Dong revealed, “About a month ago, we received a sudden call from Lee Soo Man asking to work together. He managed to hit a chord with Kang Ho Dong, and they began planning his comeback officially since then. With the several problems we faced along the road with his taxes and whatnot, we felt that it would be better for him to be within a bigger company.”

What was even more surprising was that fellow MC Shin Dong Yup would be joining him, something that neither he nor his representatives knew about until the day of the announcement. Another representative stated, “We knew that Lee Soo Man had been in contact with Shin Dong Yup, but we didn’t know that he would be joining at the same time as Kang Ho Dong, at least not until the announcement was released.”

Lee Soo Man seems to be everywhere these days, as on the 19th, he was spotted attending the ‘S.M.ART Exhibition in Seoul‘, as well as a surprise announcement of SM Entertainment co-running KT Music. Despite rumors of his failing health running rampant, Lee Soo Man seems determined to keep both companies – SM Entertainment and SM C&C – at the front of the game.

Source + Photos: E-Daily via Naver

Lee Soo Man thanks BoA for returning to promotions in Korea

On the July 28th episode of SBS’ ‘BoA 4354‘, former CEO Lee Soo Man thanked BoA for her decision to return to the Korean music market.

Lee Soo Man visited the set of the family album jacket filming with SM Entertainment labelmates, and BoA turned her camera to him. With a shy smile, he expressed, “I’m thankful to BoA for her decision to promote in Korea.”

Since her debut in 2000, BoA’s career has been mostly focused in Japan and the States. Her addition into SBS’ ‘K-Pop Star‘ last year, however, has done wonders in creating and discovering a fresh new image for her in Korea, along with her upcoming Korean comeback.

Lee Soo Man continued, “Her latest title track was created personally by BoA, so I hope everyone looks forward to it.”

Source + Photos: Star Today via Naver

The maknae of SM Entertainment is actor Lee Jae Ryong?

The current maknae of SM Entertainment turns out to be none other than actor Lee Jae Ryong (47)!

Reporters of KBS‘s ‘Entertainment Relay‘ recently visited the set of SM Entertainment’s photoshoot for the S.M.ART EXHIBITION, where they had the opportunity to interview several SM artists, actors, and even meet SM Entertainment chairman and founder Lee Soo Man.

Because veteran singer Kangta was unable to attend the photoshoot, singer BoA turned out to be the sunbae out of all SM artists that day. “It has already been 14 years since I jonied SM Entertainment,” she said.

To this, Lee Soo Man remarked, “Now that I see it, the current maknae of SM is now Lee Jae Ryong,” causing everyone in the studio to burst into laughs. Actor Lee Jae Ryong joined SM Entertainment back in 2011, making him the new maknae of the company.

The reporter then asked sunbae BoA how she thought of the new maknae, to which she replied, “I think he’s doing fine.” Lee Soo Man then pitched in, “He has already undergone the hazing,” giving another round of laughter.

Source & Image: Newsen via Nate

Lee Soo Man awarded the ‘Culture Award’ at The Korea Society’s 55th anniversary gala

On June 4th, SM Entertainment chairman and founder, Lee Soo Man was awarded the ‘Culture Award’ at the ‘The Korea Society’s 55th Anniversary Celebration New York Gala Dinner‘.

The event was held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City and Lee Soo Man was presented the award by The Korea Society for his influence in spreading K-Pop and Korean culture in the States through his background in ‘Culture Technology’.

During his award speech, he stated, “With ‘Culture First, Economy Next’ as my catch phrase, my business plan has always been to advance cultural content and get it popular so that it will in turn influence the economy. This can be seen in the way that Korea’s pop culture was advanced internationally. With its popularity came increased interest and attention in Korean brands and businesses, as well as their products. I will continue to work forward in the production of high quality content and artists so that we can continue to move out into the world.”

Other figures of interest present at the event included AIG CEO Bob Benmosche, chairman of the Korea International Trade Association Han Duk Soo, and former prime minister Jung Woon Chan.

Members of allthatkpops were also in attendance at the prestigious event.

Source & Image(s): Sports Chosun via Naver

BoA opens up about her special relationship with Lee Soo Man

The June 5th broadcast of KBS‘ ‘Win Win‘ is a continuation of last week’s special episode featuring “Asia’s star”, BoA.

During filming, BoA spoke up about her special relationship with SM Entertainment founder and chairman, Lee Soo Man, who recruited her into the company and has been with her through her ups and downs.

BoA began by saying, “Ever since the agency was first founded, CEO Lee Soo Man and I have been through so much together, and we’ve also been through a lot when I made my debut in the international market. So, his affection towards me is out of the ordinary. I’m Lee Soo Man’s #1.”

She continued, “I call him Teacher Lee Soo Man in public, but when it’s just the two of us, I call him ‘Ssem’ (short for ‘teacher’) or ‘Soo Man Ajji’ (ajji is short for ‘ahjussi’). Kangta oppa and I are the only ones in the agency who can call him those things.”

Don’t miss the second part of BoA’s special airing on June 5 at 11:15PM KST.

Source & Image: TV Daily via Nate

Singer Fawney addresses rumors surrounding the reason she wasn’t able to join Girls’ Generation

Singer Fawney (Lee Hwan Hee) opened up about why she was not able to become a Girls’ Generation‘s member.

During a recent interview, Fawney shared, “I think I was in an uncertain position. I don’t think I was as good of a dancer as the rest of the Girls’ Generation members nor really eye-catching and pretty.”

Widely known as the best friend of Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun, Fawney had been a SM trainee for 7 years since 2002 but wasn’t chosen to be a Girls’ Generation’s member in the end. With her debut and release of her first single recently, there had been rumors springing up that she was not able to become a member of the group because of Lee Soo Man‘s niece, Sunny. Thus through this interview, Fawney hoped to clear up rumors and explain that it wasn’t Sunny’s fault, but rather due to, what she believes to be, her own personal flaws.

Meanwhile, Fawney recently released her digital single, “Secret“, and made her official debut as a singer.

Source+Picture: Star News via Nate

Kangta on his ‘Voice Korea’ team, “Is this how Lee Soo Man must have felt?”

During an interview for Mnet‘s ‘Voice Korea‘, coach Kangta discussed his feelings about the show and watching his team of contestants perform.

Kangta stated, “All of the sudden, ‘Voice Korea’ became my life. I feel good whenever I come to record the show. I don’t feel tired. They are like family to me.”

While commenting on his team, he stated, “One day, I thought to myself, ‘Is this how Lee Soo Man must have felt when he was bring us up?’”

“Of course, I am not acting as a producer nor have much affiliation with the show outside of the program, but I feel good anyways.”

During the semi-final episode of ‘Voice Korea’ which aired on the 4th, contestants Woo Hye Mi, Yoo Sung Eun, Jee Sae Hee, and Son Seung Yeon advanced to the Top 4. Tune in for the upcoming finale on the 11th at 11 PM KST to see who will be crowned as the winner of ‘Voice Korea’.

Source + image: TV Report via Nate