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Legendary first-generation K-pop artist and producer Lee SangMin has officially announced his return to music production after a 20-year hiatus. The announcement came on October 24, 2025, with the release of the first teaser for his new YouTube series, “Producer Lee Sangmin,” which will document his journey to create a new co-ed group. This project marks a significant return to his roots for the star, who has spent the last decade as a beloved television personality.
From 90s Hitmaker to TV Star and Back
Lee SangMin first made his mark on the K-pop scene in 1994 as the leader of the influential co-ed group Roo’ra. Following the group’s success, he transitioned into a role as a powerhouse music producer, creating a string of hit groups throughout the late 90s and early 2000s, including Diva, Chakra, S#arp, and Country Kko Kko. His career as a producer was abruptly halted due to significant financial difficulties.
After a long absence from the industry, Lee SangMin successfully reinvented himself, making a broadcast comeback in 2012 on the Mnet mockumentary series “The God of Music.” This launched a new chapter in his career, establishing him as a household name on popular variety shows such as “The Genius,” “My Little Old Boy,” and “Dolsing Fourmen.”
“Producer Lee Sangmin”: A New Era for the Co-ed Group
The new YouTube series, co-produced by the global content production company Cape’s Planet, will follow Lee SangMin as he takes on the challenge of launching a new co-ed group in the modern K-pop landscape. He has expressed admiration for contemporary producers like Teddy and his work on the co-ed group All Day Project, signaling his intent to blend his classic production style with current trends.
The Vision Behind the New K-pop Audition
Lee SangMin’s new project aims to discover raw, untapped talent through a transparent K-pop audition process documented on the YouTube series. This modern approach to group formation reflects a growing trend in the industry, where new audition formats are constantly emerging to find the next generation of stars. The series promises an unfiltered look into the creation of a K-pop group, from auditions to debut. Find out more about the latest trends in K-pop auditions here.
A Powerhouse Production Team
Adding to the anticipation is the involvement of renowned producer Yu Ilhan, also known as Yuchicok. Formerly of Mnet, Yu Ilhan has an impressive track record, having directed hit survival shows like “Superstar K,” “Show Me The Money,” and “NO.MERCY,” the program that formed the popular boy group MONSTA X. His expertise in creating compelling digital content, honed through launching successful YouTube channels like Dingo and Hello82, makes him the perfect partner for this new YouTube series. You can follow the journey on the official Producer Lee SangMin YouTube channel.
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