
Lee Soo Man faces backlash from public for showing clips from SHINee Jong Hyun's funeral in new documentary
Fans of SHINee have been less than enthusiastic after watching the new trailer for the show 'Lee Soo Man: The King of K-Pop'. The documentary series features a controversial clip that has sparked major debates online and has been heavily criticised. The documentary is on the life of
Lee Soo Man
, founder of one of the biggest media agencies in the Korean entertainment industry.
About the documentary
The documentary, which is going to be released on a popular online streaming platform on May 13, is going to be about Lee Soo Man's journey and how he became the founder of one of the biggest and most successful entertainment agencies in the market.
He put a whole country on the map. Lee Soo Man: The King of K-Pop coming May 13.
pic.twitter.com/DXUlEPlyeJ
— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo)
April 29, 2025
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Google Brain Co-Founder Breaks His Silence: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
A trailer was released, which showed that there were testimonials and clips from artists that the businessman has worked with over the past years of his career. It also takes a jab at exploring the more serious issues and controversies that are part of the Korean music industry.
Why fans are angry and the public is criticising the documentary
Rather than having any particular issue with the documentary itself, fans were enraged, and the public also criticised it, as the documentary contained a controversial clip. It shares a clip from SHINee member Kim Jong Hyun's funeral footage, which has sparked major debate online. The idol passed away in December 2017 due to suicide after fighting a long battle with depression.
Public reactions to the clip
Many fans and the general public as well took to online social media platforms to express their disdain and criticise the filmmaker of the documentary. In turn, they also criticised Lee Soo Man for approving the clip to be shown in the documentary series.
Many labelled the action as insensitive since the clip was shown during a completely unrelated voiceover that was happening. Many criticised the creator of the show, saying that this was reducing Jong Hyun's legacy to a visual cue in the documentary.
https://x.com/ksoolina/status/1917338819872858460?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1917338819872858460|twgr^4b552c581fe4f960cbdbfb5f7fd261c702a13986|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/shinees-jonghyuns-funeral-footage-in-sm-ent-founder-lee-soo-mans-documentary-leaves-fans-feeling-sick-to-their-stomach-watch-trailer-1385141
As of right now, neither Lee Soo Man nor the online streaming platform where the documentary will be released has shared any statement about the matter. No comments have been made officially in response to the major backlash they have faced.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Just BTS' RM Enjoying Fun Photoshoot With Military Buddies Before Discharge
Last Updated: All of them were seen having the best time of their lives at the photobooth just days before their discharge. With just days left for discharge from the military, BTS' Kim Namjoon, aka RM, is happier than ever. The K-pop idol delighted his fans by sharing yet another update from the last few days of his mandatory military service. Along with the pictures, RM also shared a countdown for his fans, which read D-3, indicating that he has his bags packed for his discharge on June 10. Taking to his Instagram Stories on Friday, June 6, the 30-year-old BTS leader shared a collage of photos. In the first picture, RM, in his military uniform, posed solo while making a goofy face. The next three snapshots were with his colleagues. They were seen having the best time of their lives at the photobooth just before their discharge. RM's recent update was shared by fans on Reddit. And in no time, many flocked to the comment section to react to his pictures. One fan said, 'We're almost there!!! I know we're excited but there's no one more excited than Namjoon." Another added, 'The third picture- can't decide whether that's cute or just hot af. I'mma just cry in that corner over there. I love him sm." Someone penned, 'HE LOOKS SO GOOD GOD DAMN." RM is all set to get discharged in three days with Kim Taehyung, aka V. Jimin and Jungkook will be relieved from their duties just a day later on June 11. Suga is scheduled to complete his duties by June 21. According to a statement released by BTS' agency BigHit Music, the four members will not be directly discharged from their military bases. Instead, they will address fans in private, low-key events at separate designated locations. The agency emphasised that these will not be any public events. RM and V, who both enlisted in December 2023 but served in different divisions, RM in the Capital Defense Command and V in the elite Special Duty Team, will greet fans from Chuncheon. Jimin and Jungkook, who served together under the companionship programme, will appear at Yeoncheon. Speaking of RM's work front, the 30-year-old K-pop idol made history at the 2025 American Music Awards by becoming the first K-pop artist to win in the Favourite Artist category. Moreover, back in May, RM became the first and only Asian and K-pop soloist to land 30 entries in the Billboard Digital Song Sales Chart. While there are no updates regarding his musical endeavours, it is being reported that he might return to the television screens with the hit variety show Problematic Men. First Published: June 07, 2025, 09:24 IST


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Truly evil': Fired BIGHIT staff mentions BTS in explosive post exposing HYBE
It's June — the month the fandom, ARMY, has been eagerly awaiting, as it marks the discharge of the world's biggest group, BTS, from their mandatory military service in South Korea. However, this month has also seen the group's agency, HYBE, land in hot water. Now, amid the issues plaguing HYBE, a former employee has come forward to share their experience with the company. Former BIGHIT Communications Director Elly Chae Eun has publicly criticized HYBE and its chairman, Bang Si Hyuk. Fired BIGHIT staff exposes HYBE In a recent social media post, she spoke about the toxic work environment and unethical corporate practices at the company. Chae Eun, who claims she was dismissed in 2017 for not aligning with the company's preferences, described a highly demanding work culture at HYBE. She recounted experiences of late-night work communications, significant weight loss, and hair loss due to stress. In the post made on her Threads account, she wrote in Korean: "[Truly Evil]… This is the hidden story behind the process of being promoted to an executive — something even I didn't know. It was normal to receive work instructions through KakaoTalk or phone calls in the middle of the night. I used to sleep with my phone next to me at all times. I lost 7kg over two years after joining the company and even experienced symptoms of hair loss. I poured my heart into my work, taking care of the company's male idols — 'sons of others' — rather than my own precious children." She also alleged that after her departure, HYBE handed out billions (₩50–100 billion) to insiders who hadn't contributed during its early days. This ties into ongoing Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) investigations into Bang Si Hyuk's alleged IPO-related fraud and insider profits. "And yet, the company just dismissed me, saying I 'no longer suited their preferences.' Later, they went into business with acquaintances and handed them hundreds of billions of won (₩50 billion, ₩100 billion) without hesitation. These people hadn't contributed even once when the company was struggling and trying to grow." Elly Chae Eun mentions BTS However, she also mentioned BTS in her statement, clarifying that the group was not involved in any wrongdoing. Notably, BTS members were each allocated approximately 68,000 shares prior to HYBE's public listing in 2020, amounting to around $6.7 million per member. In contrast, Bang Si Hyuk reportedly earned approximately $300 million through the IPO, leading to public criticism over the stark disparity in profit distribution. "I sincerely congratulated the BTS members when they were given shares and became wealthy. They absolutely deserved everything they achieved — those seven were the beginning of HYBE itself. But the ones who later swooped in and devoured shareholders' stocks at cheap prices, who went behind people's backs… people who played golf with corporate cards, lounged in luxury rooms, drank alcohol — they are the real evil ones. Truly evil. I will fight to the end. Quietly, according to the law." As HYBE faces intensified scrutiny amid these allegations, BTS is preparing for a highly anticipated full-group comeback — their first reunion since completing military service. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.


Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
Ex-HYBE employee claims BTS 'absolutely deserved' shareholder position, accused company of unfairly firing her
HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk is currently under heavy scrutiny due to his alleged stock manipulation. He was accused of securing profit worth millions of KRW by misleading investors, leading to public allegations of the company's money-mindedness. Amid that, a former HYBE employee mirrored the same sentiments, accusing the company of unfairly evicting her and also mentioned BTS being uninvolved in the matter. Former HYBE employee accused the company of unfairly dismissing her of her position A recent post by former BIGHIT Communications director Elly Chae Eun, on s online forum, surfaced on June 7, KST, and sparked widespread discussion. In her Threads post, Elly Chae Eun claimed that she was forced out of her position by HYBE. She also made veiled comments about HYBE's "greed", which she seemed to imply contributed to her exit. She also mentioned giving her all to the welfare of the company. She revealed caring for 'sons of others' (male K-pop idols managed by the agency)— more than her own precious children. She also revealed the lack of work-life balance during her time as a HYBE employee, due to being overworked. She mentioned ending up with stress symptoms like 7 kg weight loss and extreme hairfall. As per her, even after all her hard work and sacrifices, HYBE failed to recognise her contribution, and thoughtlessly evicted her in 2017. They replaced her and other officials with their own acquaintances. While mentioning acquaintances getting unfairly appointed, she clarified that she did not indicate to the boy band BTS. As per the ex-BIGHIT Communications director, BTS"absolutely deserved everything they achieved" as "those seven were the beginning of HYBE itself." Elly Chae Eun referred to the popular boy band becoming one of the major shareholders of HYBE, and in turn receiving subsequent authority over the company. She said, "I sincerely congratulated the BTS members when they were given shares and became wealthy." However, regarding the others replacing former employees and reaping hundreds of billions of KRW profits without contributing to the building of the HYBE empire, she described it as "Truly evil.