H.O.T. Members Reconnect with Lee Soo-man After a Decade

Legendary K-pop group H.O.T. members recently reconnected with Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment, after a decade.

On the 27th, the YouTube channel 'Jjanhyung Shindongyeop' featured the complete lineup of H.O.T. members Moon Hee-joon, Jang Woo-hyuk, Tony An, Kangta, and Lee Jae-won.

The members expressed their nostalgia, saying, "It's been a long time since the five of us drank together."

Shindongyeop shared, "I meet Soo-man hyung four times a year, and we even travel abroad together. He occasionally talks about H.O.T., saying that without H.O.T., SM Entertainment wouldn't exist. They were SM's first brand and the decisive figures who built the company."

He encouraged a meeting with Lee Soo-man, saying, "It might be awkward and it's been a long time, but that's not important. All adults go through such processes. If I see you meet after all these years, I might cry." Tony An expressed his emotions, saying, "It feels like going back to 1996."

Shindongyeop then made an impromptu call to his close friend Lee Soo-man, saying, "I'm filming with all five H.O.T. members on Jjanhyung. Would you be able to meet them all next year?" Lee Soo-man responded positively, "Sure."

Lee Soo-man had brief conversations with each member. To Jang Woo-hyuk, he remarked, "Your voice has matured," and jokingly asked, "Did you talk about me? Only bad things?"

Lee Jae-won expressed his desire to meet, to which Lee Soo-man asked about their concerts. Upon hearing about their upcoming 30th-anniversary concert, he encouraged them, "Keep performing."

Moon Hee-joon nostalgically greeted, "It's Hee-joon. I wanted to say hello after a long time," and humorously added, "Please raise me again," referencing his debut days. Lee Soo-man reminisced about their KBS variety show days. When Moon Hee-joon expressed concern for his health, Shindongyeop joked, "He's healthier than you, Hee-joon," causing laughter.

Tony An praised Lee Soo-man's new group A2O, to which Lee Soo-man replied, "You guys should collaborate. You're living legends, aren't you still alive?" Tony An humorously responded, "Barely," drawing laughter.

Lastly, Kangta couldn't hold back tears upon hearing Lee Soo-man's voice. When asked if he was still practicing singing, Kangta simply replied, "Yes," while holding back tears.

Lee Soo-man expressed his happiness, saying, "It's nice to hear you're all together. Let's meet next time," and added, "I love H.O.T." Jang Woo-hyuk responded, "We love you, teacher," showing affection.

After the call, Moon Hee-joon reflected, "It feels like it's been 10 years since we last spoke. Even during our reunion concert six years ago, we didn't call. But he seems the same as before, in his speech and interactions with the members. I'm still nervous, like during our trainee days."

Reported by Kim Eun-jung, TenAsia