[Edaily Starin KIM HYUNSIK Reporter] Singer Bae Da-ha, a former member of the girl group S.E.S., expressed her gratitude by sharing an anecdote about producer Lee Soo-man, who has made a comeback to the music industry.

On the 16th, Bae Da-ha posted a lengthy message on her social media account reflecting on her long-standing relationship with Lee Soo-man.
She stated, “Twenty-nine years ago, I felt as if I were talking to someone who could see into the future,” adding, “You accurately and meticulously described to me—an 18-year-old artist—the future roles and vision for Korean idols.”
Bada emphasized that Lee Soo-man had a profound influence on her musical growth. She recalled, “Mr. Lee Soo-man dressed me—who possessed a healthy voice—in the sophisticated colors of music and perfectly prepared me to take pride in my role as Korea’s first female idol vocalist.”
Bada also shared, “During my time with S.E.S., I would reflect deeply every night on the answers to the questions Mr. Lee gave me, formulating my own responses, and I would listen to the demos he sent me, practicing in my own way without putting off my concerns, and then perform them for him.”
She added, “Those experiences sparked instantly, were put to practical use, and continued to evolve even as I navigated my journey as a solo artist. Above all, they helped me preserve my determination to stay true to my roots.”

She also mentioned how Lee Soo-man had helped pay her college tuition in the past. Bae Da-ha said, “Oh, and there’s something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life,” adding, “I’d like to once again express my gratitude to my mentor, who knew about my family’s difficult financial situation at the time and paid my college tuition.”
Bada debuted as a member of S.E.S., a group launched by SM Entertainment (SM) in 1997, and gained popularity with songs such as “I’m Your Girl” and “Dreams Come True.” After her group activities, Bada expanded her career as a solo singer and musical actress.
Lee Soo-man left SM, the company he founded, and established A2O Entertainment, where he continues his work in music production. Recently, he launched the rookie boy group A2O Soul and the girl group A2O Light. A2O Soul garnered significant attention when their debut song “NEON,” released on the 13th, reached No. 1 on the Melon Top 100 chart just 29 hours after its release.