Singer Bada, formerly of S.E.S., has expressed her deep respect and gratitude toward producer Lee Soo-man of A2O.

On October 16, Bada posted a long message on her Instagram along with a photo taken with Lee Soo-man. Bada began by writing, "Twenty-nine years ago, I felt like I was talking to someone who had seen the future." She continued, "Teacher [Lee] accurately and meticulously described the future positions and visions of South Korean idols to me, an 18-year-old artist. Even at that moment, I knew because he spoke with such earnestness that I would never forget it for the rest of my life."

Bada went on to say, "It's strange. The teacher's soul never ages," adding, "I felt a boy-like purity and conviction from him back then, and I still feel it in our conversations these days." She recalled, "During the S.E.S. days, every night I would ponder the questions the teacher gave me, think deeply about them, and establish the answers for myself. Listening to the demo tracks sent by the teacher, I didn't put off my worries, but practiced in my own way and played them for him. Looking back now, through those times, I was receiving an education as a vocalist and artist, learning to understand music."

Bada expressed her gratitude, saying, "I wasn't prepared at all to step into the sophisticated and clearly conceptualized market of popular singers, especially idols. Teacher Lee Soo-man dressed me, a vocalist with a healthy voice, in a new style of music with a sophisticated color, and completely prepared me with the pride of being South Korea's first female idol vocalist. This experience was also utilized in the process of surviving as a solo artist."

Toward the end of her post, Bada wrote, "Something I will truly never forget in my lifetime. I want to express my gratitude once again to the teacher, who knew about my difficult family background at the time and paid for my college tuition." She concluded the post by cheering, "Teacher, fighting!!"

S.E.S. is a three-member girl group that debuted on November 28, 1997. Lee Soo-man is a first-generation K-pop producer who founded SM Entertainment and recently introduced rookie groups A2O SOUL and A2O LITE through A2O Entertainment.

(SBS Entertainment News, reported by Kang Kyung-yoon)