His non-compete agreement with HYBE still stands.
![](https://img.koreaboo.com/tr:n-thumb_mega/2024/06/LSM-.jpg)
SM Entertainment’s founder Lee Soo Man’s recent whereabouts have reignited speculations about his return to the music industry.
![download - 2024-06-16T081059.634](https://img.koreaboo.com/2024/06/download-2024-06-16T081059.634.jpeg)
In some recently surfaced pictures, Lee Soo Man was spotted in China alongside producer Yoo Young Jin, and a group of young male teenagers. It is being speculated that the teenagers are idol trainees, selected by the SME founder for his new project.
![download - 2024-06-16T080837.564](https://img.koreaboo.com/2024/06/download-2024-06-16T080837.564.jpeg)
![download - 2024-06-16T080842.132](https://img.koreaboo.com/2024/06/download-2024-06-16T080842.132.jpeg)
When Lee Soo Man sold his stake in SME to HYBE Labels, he signed a non-compete agreement that prevents him from working in the Korean entertainment industry as a competitor of HYBE until 2026. However, it is unclear whether this clause applies to overseas industries.
Back in May, Lee Soo Man was revealed to have filed for a business trademark under the name of A20 Entertainment, which is the reason behind this new speculation that he is working with male idol trainees to potentially launch a new group.
![download - 2024-06-16T080907.802](https://img.koreaboo.com/2024/06/download-2024-06-16T080907.802.jpeg)
Meanwhile, in May, Lee Soo Man made his first appearance since leaving SM Entertainment in 2023 at the 2024 CISAC General Assembly in Seoul. You can read more about it here.