Lee Soo-man Returns to K-Pop With Girl Group A2O Lite and Boy Group A2O Soul, Sparking Buzz Right at Debut
Wondering if this will bring a new spark!
Summary
- After establishing his new agency A2O Entertainment, Lee Soo-man officially launched the nine-member girl group A2O Lite in October.
- Featuring sharp choreography on their debut single "NEON," the group saw participation from Girls' Generation's Sunny and producer Yoo Young-jin in backend planning and direction.
- The group spans five cultural backgrounds, with 13-year-old Chinese member Aijing drawing significant attention for her street dance skills.
- A2O Lite shares the "Soulite" universe with boy group A2O Soul, unveiled on the same day, kicking off a brand-new idol project storyline.
Play the music video for “NEON,” and you’ll see nine girls executing sharp, rhythmic choreography on screen. Since leaving SM in 2023, everyone has been waiting to see what Lee Soo-man would do next. Now, his new agency, A2O Entertainment, has finally delivered its first release: brand-new girl group A2O Lite officially debuted on October 12, 2026. Watching their debut stage makes it hard not to wonder what new spark Lee Soo-man will bring to K-pop this time.
9 members, 5 cultural backgrounds
A2O Lite brings together nine members hailing from South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, and a dual US-Japanese background. Despite the large lineup, each member stands out clearly on camera.
From left: Ayune, Young
From left: Himeki, Vora
From left: Xili, Merci
Rada
From left: OA, Aijing
Drawing the most buzz is 13-year-old Chinese member Aijing. A former street dance champion, her crisp moves in the music video instantly command attention. Meanwhile, dual US-Japanese citizen Oa Angel has caught fans’ eyes with a cool, poised vibe reminiscent of Jessica in her early debut days.
Familiar faces behind the scenes
The team behind this launch is stacked with familiar names. Alongside former SM hitmaker Yoo Young-jin handling the music, Girls’ Generation’s Sunny unexpectedly joined the crew to mentor the young trainees. Guided by a veteran who reached the peak of the industry, A2O Lite delivers a remarkably polished, confident performance for a newly debuted group.
Beyond one girl group: introducing the “Soulite” universe
In a unique twist, boy group A2O Soul shared the stage during A2O Lite’s debut showcase. Both acts exist within a shared fictional universe called “Soulite.” Unveiling a boy group, girl group, and overarching storyline right out of the gate is classic Lee Soo-man. How they continue to build this narrative on stage remains to be seen, starting with the music video for “NEON.”
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