Lee Soo‑man’s meeting with President Macron on June 20 at the Élysée Palace was far more than ceremonial. It spotlighted K-pop’s cultural power, advanced actionable plans like establishing a local A2O office, and raised important global issues about creators’ rights in the AI era. It marks a strategic milestone in Korea–France cultural partnership.
Let me know if you’d like to explore more about “Culture Technology,” prosumer rights, or follow‑up developments on the proposed office!
👤 Who was involved
- Lee Soo-man – Regarded as the “founding father of K-pop,” responsible for launching major groups like H.O.T. , Girls’ Generation, EXO, and Red Velvet . He left SM Entertainment in 2023 amid disputes and now leads A2O Entertainment .
- President Emmanuel Macron – Highly receptive, greeting Lee as a pioneering entrepreneur and creative force in global music .
🤝 What was discussed
- Establishing a French A2O Office
Macron suggested that Lee open a local A2O Entertainment office in France, prompting French Culture Minister Rachida Dati to explore concrete steps. - Strengthening Cultural Collaboration
A central aim was fostering deeper creative cooperation between Korean and French artists—a step toward a broader cross-border cultural partnership . - Protecting Creators in the AI Era
Lee advocated for strong legal protections in response to generative AI. He introduced the concept of “Culture Technology (CT)” and promoted the evolving role of fans as “prosumers”—those who both consume and create content—emphasizing that their rights alongside original creators must be safeguarded .
🌍 Why it matters
- Historic Recognition: This marks the first time a K-pop architect of Lee’s stature has been invited to discuss cultural diplomacy at the Elysee, signaling French governmental recognition of K-pop’s global impact .
- Shaping Cultural Policy: Macron’s direct proposal to open a French office shows intent for tangible cultural infrastructure—not just symbolic gestures .
- Global Copyright Oversight: The meeting could set a new precedent for handling intellectual property rights and AI-driven content creation on a global stage .
The Summit
- Lee Soo-man was the only Asian keynote speaker at the France Music Week Summit, held at Place de l’Opera, attended by over 100 industry leaders—including Warner Music’s Robert Kyncl, YouTube’s Lyor Cohen, and Universal Music France’s Olivier Nusse .
- He emphasized a future where “fans evolve beyond consumption to content creation,” advocating for fair economic participation through “prosuming” .
