Lee Soo-man's A2O LITE Faces Parents' Debt Scandal Days After Debut
Thestandard · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
A2O LITE, the nine-member girl group launched by former SM Entertainment CEO Lee Soo-man under his newly established A2O Entertainment, has been thrust into controversy shortly after its October 13 debut with the single NEON, which reached the top of Melon's TOP100 chart by 11pm the following day. The controversy centers on member AIJING (盛艾敬), a 13-year-old Chinese national nicknamed "Little BoA" for her powerful dance performances and striking resemblance to K-pop pioneer BoA. Chinese internet users alleged that AIJING's parents had operated an education company in Beijing that failed to pay employees' wages, with court enforcement proceedings targeting outstanding debts totalling approximately 3.45 million yuan. On October 14, AIJING's mother Zhang Jing posted a statement on Weibo acknowledging responsibility for the financial disputes and apologizing to those affected, while urging the public not to involve her daughter in the matter.
Key Points
- A2O LITE debuted on October 12, 2026, releasing debut single NEON on October 13; the song topped Melon's TOP100 chart at 11pm on October 14
- The nine members have diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds, with a youthful and futuristic image centered on high-intensity stage performances
- AIJING, whose Chinese name is Sheng Aijing, is 13 years old and has earned comparisons to BoA, earning her the nickname "Little BoA"
- The education company operated by AIJING's parents in Beijing faced court enforcement over debts of approximately 3.45 million yuan, sparking online criticism
- Zhang Jing's Weibo statement on October 14 acknowledged the company's financial deterioration, accepted responsibility, and pledged to contact affected parties
Why It Matters
The controversy highlights the intense scrutiny facing young K-pop trainees and their families, with critics questioning how minors can participate in overseas competitions and appear in advertisements while their parents face unpaid wage allegations. The incident also raises broader concerns about child labor practices in the idol industry, as the members' young ages—including several at primary school level—have already sparked social debate in Korea and overseas .
The controversy highlights the intense scrutiny facing young K-pop trainees and their families, with critics questioning how minors can participate in overseas competitions and appear in advertisements while their parents face unpaid wage allegations. The incident also raises broader concerns about child labor practices in the idol industry, as the members' young ages—including several at primary school level—have already sparked social debate in Korea and overseas .