Bada expresses gratitude to Lee Soo-man... "He knew my family's difficult circumstances and paid my university tuition"

Singer Bada (Choi Sung-hee), a member of the group S.E.S., expressed her gratitude while reflecting on the teachings and help she received from former SM Entertainment executive producer and A2O Entertainment key producer Lee Soo-man. On the 16th, Bada posted a message on her account covering everything from her first meeting with producer Lee Soo-man 29 years ago, the process of learning and contemplating music during S.E.S. activities, to receiving support for her university tuition amidst difficult family circumstances. She recalled that when she was 18 at the time, producer Lee Soo-man explained the position and vision of Korean idols to her.

In her post, Bada mentioned producer Lee Soo-man's attitude toward music, the way he posed questions to artists, and the process of imbuing her vocals with a new musical color. In particular, she expressed her gratitude again, citing the fact that he paid her university tuition after learning about her family's situation as something she could never forget in her lifetime. At the end of the post, she added words of support for producer Lee Soo-man.

The idol position and vision heard at age 18

Bada included her memory of meeting producer Lee Soo-man for the first time 29 years ago at the beginning of her post. Being 18 at the time, she wrote, "29 years ago, it felt like I was talking to someone who could see the future" while conversing with producer Lee Soo-man. She continued to recall that Lee Soo-man "accurately and closely described the position and vision of our country's idols in the distant future to me, a young 18-year-old artist." Bada stated that the explanation she heard at the time remains vividly in her memory.

Bada wrote that producer Lee Soo-man spoke with a serious attitude at the time, and she thought that moment would be remembered for a long time. She added that she feels the same conviction in conversations continuing to this day as she did back then. Bada wrote, "It's strange. Teacher's soul does not age. I felt a conviction like a boy's purity then, and I still feel it in our conversations these days." By mentioning both what she felt during their first meeting and in recent conversations, she conveyed her thoughts on producer Lee Soo-man's musical vision and passion.

Bada revealed that she has been listening to producer Lee Soo-man's words since her S.E.S. days. She explained that she was interested in music and singing due to the influence of her father, who was a singer, and that the words Lee Soo-man offered were also regarding music and singing. Bada reflected on the meeting 29 years ago and her S.E.S. activity days by including the stories she heard and the things she learned at the time in her post.

Refining the basics into the color of an idol vocalist

Bada revealed that before her debut, she had almost completed her basic training as a vocalist through her father. However, she explained that she was not ready to enter the pop singer market, especially the idol market which has clear concepts and is sophisticated. The point was that having the basic skills to handle sound and preparing to stand before the public as an idol singer were separate processes. Bada recalled that her vocals acquired a new musical color upon meeting producer Lee Soo-man.

She wrote, "Teacher Lee Soo-man gave me, who had a healthy sound, new clothes in the form of sophisticated colored music, and perfectly prepared me even for the pride of being Korea's first female idol vocalist." Bada also said that while Lee Soo-man shared musical views with her, he also posed questions so that she could think for herself and grow. This is an explanation of the process of preparing her to work as an idol vocalist based on her voice and musical basics.

In her post, Bada mentioned both her real name, Choi Sung-hee, and her stage name, Bada, reflecting on how she, who loves music and singing, was able to listen to and learn from producer Lee Soo-man's stories. Bada explained that the musical advice Lee Soo-man gave did not simply stop at how to sing. She stated that she was asked questions so that an artist could establish their own thoughts and grow, and through those questions, she spent time contemplating music.

Finding answers to questions every night and contemplating while listening to demos

Bada recalled thinking about the answers to the questions posed by producer Lee Soo-man every night during S.E.S. activities. She wrote, "Every night, I would think deeply about the answers to the questions the teacher gave me and establish them myself." She also mentioned the process of contemplating and thinking while listening to the demos sent by Lee Soo-man. Bada wrote that not only when standing on stage, but also the process of finding answers regarding music and organizing her thoughts was enjoyable.

Bada stated that those experiences became the foundation that helped her maintain the will to stay true to her roots while working as a solo artist. She explained that the time spent thinking while receiving questions and listening to music during the S.E.S. era continued into her subsequent activities. Bada wrote that through that process, she was able to maintain the fundamentals necessary to survive as an artist.

She also mentioned that Lee Soo-man continues to create new idol music in line with the music and the times. Bada wrote that among the adults she knows, seeing him show that same belief and conviction from beginning to end as time passes, and seeing him create 'Generation idol music' that has vitality along with the era within music, is a special experience. By including not only memories from the S.E.S. era but also what she felt in recent conversations, she retraced the musical experiences shared with producer Lee Soo-man.

Knowing the difficult circumstances and supporting university tuition

Separately from the musical teachings, Bada also revealed the help she received from producer Lee Soo-man. She stated that her family circumstances were difficult at the time, and Lee Soo-man, knowing those circumstances, paid her university tuition. Bada expressed her gratitude again in the post, describing this as something she could never forget in her lifetime. She did not separately disclose the specific amount of the tuition, the timing of the support, or the method of support.

Bada wrote, "What I truly cannot forget for my whole life... I express my gratitude once again to the teacher who knew my difficult family circumstances at the time and paid my university tuition." This part is where she directly mentions the personal help received from Lee Soo-man in the post. In addition to the musical education, questions, and the process of contemplating while listening to demos she recalled earlier, Bada expressed her gratitude by sharing the fact of the tuition support.

At the end of the post, Bada wrote that she still vividly remembers the beginning of Korean idols and the moments when everything was a first. Reflecting that everything was clear during every moment spent with producer Lee Soo-man at the time, she expressed that what she heard and experienced was joyful, happy, and wonderful. She then sent support to Lee Soo-man.

Bada's post led from a recollection of their first meeting 29 years ago to the musical teachings received during the S.E.S. era and gratitude for the university tuition support. At the end of the post, she added support for producer Lee Soo-man by writing, "Teacher, fighting!"

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