During a recent V Live, SHINee Key revealed that his cover of aespa Next Level earned him praises from none other than the SM Entertainment founder, Lee Soo Man.

Keep on reading for all the details!

Lee Soo Man Praises SHINee Key's Cover of aespa's 'Next Level'

Back on the June 19 episode of tvN's "Amazing Saturday," Key showed off his admiration for the SM Entertainment rookie group by flawlessly covering the dance of their latest digital single, "Next Level."

The performance made headlines after Key revealed that despite coming from the same company, he has yet to meet the members of the girl group.

ALSO READ: SHINee Key Reveals He Has Never Met aespa

During a V Live on Tuesday, June 29, Key mentioned the cover during his solo live stream. He revealed that someone had put up the video of him performing "Next Level" on "Amazing Saturday" to TikTok, and SM Entertainment's founder Lee Soo Man actually saw it!

After watching the video, Lee Soo Man sent him a text message. He told him that he thought his cover was good, not one, not two, but five times! "That means he really liked it," Key said. "It received a great deal of praise."

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Key then informed fans that Lee Soo Man asked Key to perform "Next Level" during their next meeting!

As mentioned, the video made headlines after Key revealed during an Instagram Live that he had not met aespa before. During a live stream on June 17, Key could not help but express his bitterness over having never met aespa. He claims he has never even seen them nor come across them while at the SM Entertainment building.

On the June 29 solo V Live, however, Key reveals that has changed. While he has not met all of the aespa members, he did meet one — Giselle!

"I met Giselle while passing by [the company], but all we did was say hello and goodbye. The other aespa members were not with her."

ALSO READ: Korean News Outlets Slammed for Excluding Giselle in aespa Group Photos

Hopefully, Key gets to meet the other aespa members soon!

SHINee Key Hints At Possible New Solo Release

During the V Live, Key also briefly mentioned his return to music. He revealed to fans that he is working on his next album, but it is more complicated than it seems. At the moment, he is collecting possible songs and debating on which song will be the title track, but he does not know what else to do.

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He also adds that many people are working on the album, and he is in the process of recording songs, but he has no idea when the album will be released.

Key also brought up how social distancing has eased in South Korea, so in-person performances are now allowed. However, fans are prohibited from shouting and cheering.

"No shouting? Is that even possible? So it is all replaced by applause? Is it because of spitting or because of the risk of infection?" Key pondered.

ALSO READ: SHINee Member Key Shares Promotional Photos with Girls' Generation's Taeyeon

Are you excited for Key's solo album? Tell us in the comments below!

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Written by Alexa Lewis