Overview

• The upcoming documentary 'Lee Soo Man: The King of K-Pop,' set to premiere on May 13, 2025, examines the legacy of the SM Entertainment founder.
• Fans have criticized the use of sensitive footage from SHINee member Jonghyun's 2017 funeral in the trailer, calling it exploitative and disrespectful.
• Jonghyun's death by suicide highlighted the mental health struggles faced by K-pop idols, making the use of the footage particularly controversial.
• The trailer blends praise for Lee Soo Man's role in globalizing K-pop with discussions of industry controversies, including harsh contracts and idol pressures.
• Prime Video and the production team have yet to respond to demands for the removal of the funeral footage or address the growing backlash.