Lee Soo Man’s Comments About Underage Idols Spark Disgust Amid A2O LITE’s Debut

Recently, A2O LITE‘s debut has sparked controversy over the young ages of the idols, with the youngest members being just 13 years old.

Highly Anticipated New Girl Group Slammed Over “Disgusting” Young Ages Of Multiple Members

It also sparked more anger when netizens saw the nature of one of the youngest member’s outfits.

A2O LITE 13-Year-Old Member’s “Disgusting” Short Outfit Triggers Outrage

Amid the ongoing discourse on the young ages of the members, a video of Lee Soo Man and BoA has gained attention, sparking fury towards the SM Entertainment founder.

During the video, Lee Soo Man explained that, for him, idols needed to debut between the ages of 13 and 15 so they could succeed between the ages of 16 and 18. At such a young age to debut, he explained that when choosing trainees, they would select those between 10 and 12, adding that “We thought even 9 or 7-year-olds were fine.”

How was he so comfortable saying this out loud on camera 🫩 there is no hope for this man istg.. pic.twitter.com/kqaytUEfVH

— 𝕹𝖎𝖐𝖔𝖑 ˚✿˖ (@Roseldht) October 21, 2026

Netizens were disgusted by how Lee Soo Man said it so nonchalantly, explaining that his comments about how they trained and debuted idols so young were a form of “grooming” and that this was the reason that idols were being exploited.

Watch them defend it.

— ‎ꫂ᭪݁ (@_Sunkissedollz) October 21, 2026

this is a form of grooming btw

— Nora❦ | ADW (@hiscoraline) October 21, 2026

People like Lee Soo-man exist, yet Kpop fans treat victims and idols who are being exploited like criminals simply because they stood up for their rights.

— Lucy’s 𓈒𓏲 (@LucKyoong82) October 21, 2026

@Roseldht there has to be a new layer of hell solely for him

— juji ♰ (@MYUNG0TH) October 21, 2026

I can already see how he said this to these children, pretending to be thoughtful and them being scared and working until exhaustion out of fear that he’s gonna drop them, cuz fuck as lsm decided that you gotta start making him money b4 turning 18, otherwise you’re not an idol 🤡

— 𝕹𝖎𝖐𝖔𝖑 ˚✿˖ (@Roseldht) October 21, 2026