A2O LITE Draws Comparisons to BoA, Jessica and Sulli After Debut Showcase

Lee Soo Man introduced the nine-member girl group A2O LITE and 15-member boy group A2O SOUL at A2O Entertainment’s global debut showcase on October 12. After A2O LITE performed, online reactions focused on similarities to artists associated with SM Entertainment’s past generations.

Viewers compared OA to former Girls’ Generation member Jessica, Aijing to BoA as a child, and Vora to the late f(x) member Sulli. The group’s stage production also brought to mind acts including f(x), SHINee and aespa for some commenters. Fans praised the music and choreography, highlighting songs longer than three minutes, dance breaks and prominent high notes as features they felt were less common in contemporary K-pop.

Lee Soo Man sold his SM Entertainment shares to HYBE in February 2023 and stepped away from music production in South Korea under a reported three-year non-compete agreement. The source says he focused mainly on projects overseas before preparing to return to the domestic market after the agreement ended in February 2026. A2O LITE is beginning promotions with its debut digital single, “NEON.”