BoA, left, and Lee Soo-man / Xportsnews
Ok-pop pioneer BoA has formally ended her 25-year relationship with SM Leisure, setting off intense hypothesis about whether or not she is getting ready for retirement — or a dramatic reunion with SM founder Lee Soo-man.
SM confirmed Monday that BoA’s unique contract had expired and wouldn’t be renewed. Trade watchers had anticipated a renewal, making the sudden “clear break” all of the extra stunning.
In its farewell assertion, SM praised BoA as “the icon of abroad growth” and “the star of Asia,” saying, “Though our unique contract has ended, we sincerely help BoA as she begins new challenges and continues to shine as Asia’s star.”
The corporate additionally launched a tribute video on BoA’s YouTube channel, chronicling her journey from her debut at age 13 in 2000 to at the moment. The video closed with the message, “We sincerely help each second of BoA, who will endlessly shine as No.1.”
BoA / Captured from BoA’s social media
BoA responded along with her personal message, saying, “As a lot as we gave to one another, I’m leaving with out remorse. Thanks for the time we shared, and I’ll proceed to help the shining way forward for SM Leisure. Thanks.”
However followers rapidly seen a hanging visible element: BoA was seen sitting on a sculpture of her personal title wrapped with tape repeatedly printed with the phrase “return,” positioned alongside the phrase “thanks.” The contrasting messages sparked on-line debate over whether or not the farewell was as clean because it appeared.
BoA, middle, with Lee Soo-man, proper / Captured from BoA’s social media
Her future plans are additionally unclear as followers wonder if this actually marks the tip of her singing profession.
Others level to her current behind-the-scenes work, together with serving as govt producer for SM’s rookie group NCT Want, as an indication she could transition into producing or performing moderately than stepping away from the business.
One other risk drawing consideration is a transfer to A20 Leisure, the worldwide company based by Lee Soo-man after he left SM. BoA was personally found and developed by Lee, and several other former SM artists and employees, together with Ladies’ Technology’s Sunny, have already joined his new firm.
BoA has not but introduced her subsequent step. However after a quarter-century as one in every of Ok-pop’s defining figures, her “returned” farewell from SM has made no matter comes subsequent some of the intently watched tales within the business.
This text from Xportsnews is customized by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Instances.
