Lee Soo-man’s New Girl Group, A2O MAY Stuns in Historic U.S. Debut at Wango Tango
On May 10 (local time), the California coastline at Huntington Beach was the backdrop for a landmark moment in pop history as A2O MAY, a Chinese girl group produced by K-pop visionary Lee Soo Man, took the stage at the prestigious KIIS FM Wango Tango festival.
With this performance, A2O MAY became the first Chinese act to be officially invited to perform at one of America’s most prominent music events, hosted by iHeartRadio.
Breaking Boundaries: The Rise of A2O MAY
Comprising members CHENYU, SHIJIE, QUCHANG, MICHE, and KAT, A2O MAY represents a new generation of idols multilingual, cross-cultural, and media-savvy from debut. The group introduced themselves through their signature songs “Under My Skin (A2O)” and “BOSS,” captivating the crowd not only with vocal stability but also with synchronized choreography and dynamic stage presence.
What set their performance apart was the integration of their self-coined genre, “Zalpha Pop,” a musical and cultural blend designed to resonate with Gen Z and Alpha audiences worldwide.
Their address to the crowd, delivered fluently in English, highlighted their ambition:
“Some of you may be seeing us for the first time today—but this is only the beginning. Keep watching us.”
Their message was met with roaring applause, signaling enthusiastic support from the diverse Wango Tango audience.
A Moment Years in the Making
The inclusion of A2O MAY this year alongside Doja Cat, David Guetta, and Meghan Trainor underscores the industry’s recognition of Asia’s growing influence on global pop culture.
Their set was introduced by JoJo, a KIIS FM DJ and K-pop advocate, who had earlier interviewed A2O MAY via Zoom. Speaking warmly of the group, he said:
“They’re incredible so full of energy, charm, and ideas. I’ve been following their journey and am honored to introduce them here.”
He also announced that the group would appear on “iHeart K-pop with JoJo” and several upcoming U.S. radio broadcasts.
Backstage, the group also made headlines once more by taking commemorative photos with Doja Cat, demonstrating both industry camaraderie and aspirational crossover potential.
Lee Soo-man’s Global Vision Reimagined
A2O MAY’s international push is the result of the strategic foresight of Lee Soo-man, the former SM Entertainment founder credited with shaping modern K-pop.
In past interviews, Lee stated:
“A2O MAY is positioned to become the No.1 girl group in the world. We are not replicating K-pop we are evolving it into something broader, with pan-Asian and global appeal.”
Rather than limiting their focus to traditional markets like Korea and Japan, A2O MAY is launching directly into North America, an unprecedented move for a rookie Chinese group.
What Comes Next
Following their Wango Tango debut, A2O MAY is set to release additional music under the Zalpha Pop umbrella and make appearances on global media platforms. According to their agency, the group is in the process of preparing international collaborations, multilingual releases, and a series of fan engagements tailored to audiences in the U.S., China, and Southeast Asia.
With critical support from a legendary producer and a growing international fanbase, A2O MAY’s story is no longer about potential it is about execution, evolution, and global resonance.