Lee Soo Man’s newest boy group, A2O Soul, is making waves with their pre-debut single, “Superstar.” The song harkens back to classic K-pop sounds and vibes, reminiscent of beloved 1st- and 2nd-generation legends.
Older K-pop fans are rejoicing because Lee Soo Man’s latest boy group, A2O Soul, is bringing back K-pop’s signature vibes and vocals from earlier generations. The 15-member group recently released a performance video and the official music video for their pre-debut single, “Superstar,” and it has fans feeling nostalgic and emotional.
Most fans note that the track is a far cry from the types of hits many groups are releasing now. There are fewer English lyrics, a complete bridge, and there isn’t even a rap part, which is unique for a boy group in this day and age.
Who is A2O Soul?
Legendary K-Pop producer and founder of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo Man, founded A2O (Alpha to Omega) in 2024, a year after he officially left SM in 2023. He started the company much like his first agency: recruiting young talent and training them to become K-pop superstars.
He eventually chose 15 male trainees of different nationalities to make up A2O’s first official boy group, A2O Soul, whose ages range from 19 to 14 years old. According to KProfiles, the group consists of:
- Moon (Korean)
- Sora (Japanese)
- Seoha (Korean)
- Teo (Chinese)
- Gaku (Japanese)
- June (Chinese)
- Hansung (Korean)
- Lucien (Korean – American)
- See-one (Korean)
- Alure (Thai)
- Tai (Chinese)
- Sono (Japanese)
- Zai (Chinese)
- Ayden (Chinese)
- Zet (Chinese)
This very young age range has been a slight point of contention for the band, but the boys have proven they’re ready to take on the K-Pop industry despite their youth.
Citypop Meets K-Pop
At a time when K-Pop boy groups are leaning into hip-hop and R&B, A2O Soul went in an entirely different direction with “Superstar”: synthpop. 80s-style synths form the song’s foundation, giving it a celestial feel that matches the group’s otherworldly identity. This introduced A2O’s new genre, “New Synthwave,” which will likely continue the Citypop-meets-K-Pop vibe the group started.
The melodies also suit the boys’ different vocals, capturing their soft tones and rich depths.
Vocals Return to the Forefront
Speaking of A2O Soul’s vocals, “Superstar” highlighted a few members who’ll undoubtedly continue enchanting fans with their noteworthy voices. The group’s main vocal, Seoha, has already grabbed attention for his rich tone, even drawing comparisons to EXO member Baekhyun.
Meanwhile, two of the youngest members, Zai and Zet, captivate with their light notes during the chorus. Their youthful softness beautifully contrasts their mature-looking performance.
The Comeback of the 4-Minute Song
At 4 minutes and 13 seconds, K-Pop fans also note that “Superstar” stands out as a pleasant departure from today’s trend of two-minute, TikTok-ready tracks. From forum commenters to YouTube reactors, many who’ve listened to the song celebrated it as a “complete” track, with three choruses and a full bridge.
2nd Gen-Style Synchronization
While most would describe the song as chill, it still pairs well with A2O Soul’s intricate choreography. Each beat is perfectly punctuated with movement, be it a flick of the wrist or a fist pump in the air.
The group inspired awe with their amazing synchronization, too, something K-Pop hasn’t seen in a minute. This is where their big number comes in handy. The more synchronized they are, the bigger an impression they leave. And perhaps because it’s a Lee Soo Man group, people can’t help but compare A2O Soul with Super Junior, EXO, and even TVXQ.
What do you think of A2O Soul? Did you think they hit it out of the park with their “Superstar” pre-debut single?
Source: The Bias List, A2O World Official YouTube Channel, A2O Soul Official YouTube Channel.
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