💸 “A man who rose again after $6.9 million in debt”
👑 “Once a Midas, then a debtor”
💔 “Comeback is harder than success”
These three lines alone
tell the story of his life.
🎤 Today,
through the lens of K-Bazzi (Korean Saju),
we’ll explore the dramatic rise and fall
of Lee Sang-min—
the ‘fallen angel with broken wings’
who dared to fly again.
🎬 Once the “Midas of K-pop,” once a man with $6.9 million in debt
“The Rise and Fall of Lee Sang-min—Told Through the Lens of Saju (K-Bazzi)”
He was once hailed as “the Midas of Korean music,”
the legendary producer behind chart-topping groups like Diva, S#arp, Chakra, Country Kko Kko, and SoHo.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s,
Lee Sang-min was one of the most influential figures in Korean pop culture.
But unlike his contemporaries—like Psy and Park Jin-young—who went on to become global millionaires,
Lee Sang-min was crushed under a mountain of debt.
₩6.9 billion (approx. $6.9 million) in debt, to be exact.
And for nearly 20 years, he lived as a debtor.
Did he fall because of gambling or extravagant spending?
No. That wasn’t the case.
Lee personally visited each creditor,
refusing to run away or give up even a single penny.
And in 2024, after two long decades,
he finally paid off every last won.
So what broke him?
And more importantly,
what gave him the strength to rise again?
He must have blamed himself countless times,
regretted every step,
and battled through a darkness that few could endure.
Today, we take a deep look at his remarkable journey—
to ask a bigger question:
👉 “What truly matters in life?”
Before we begin,
we’ll briefly review what Saju (K-Bazzi) is—
the traditional Korean philosophy of destiny.
Then, we’ll dive into Lee Sang-min’s chart
to uncover the patterns behind his rise, his fall, and his incredible resilience.
🔬 Is Saju Just a Superstition?
The Structure of Cheon-Gan and Ji-Ji, Explained by Science
In Korean Four Pillars (Saju) philosophy, there are two key concepts: Cheon-Gan (天干, Heavenly Stems) and Ji-Ji (地支, Earthly Branches).
To first-time learners, these terms may sound like something out of ancient fortune-telling.
But when we reframe them through the lens of modern science, an intriguing similarity emerges.
Take nitrogen (N₂), which makes up about 78% of Earth’s atmosphere.
While it’s essential for life, nitrogen in its basic form doesn’t directly support living organisms.
For nitrogen to become useful, it must transform into nitric acid (HNO₃).
In ancient times, this transformation happened naturally through lightning.
A powerful electrical charge from the sky caused nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen in the air to react—
creating nitric acid, which then fell to the earth in rain and nourished the soil, allowing plants to grow.
Seen philosophically, this natural cycle is a transformation of
Heaven’s energy (gas-state potential) into
Earth’s nourishment (materialized life force).
This parallels the logic in Saju where Cheon-Gan (heavenly energy) transforms into Ji-Ji (earthly manifestation).
🌱 Inmok (寅木): Awakening Life Like Nitric Acid
Inmok (寅木), one of the Ji-Ji (Earthly Branches), contains three hidden energies:
Mu-to (戊土) = Earth that holds nutrients like fertile soil
Byeong-hwa (丙火) = Fire that activates reactions
Gap-mok (甲木) = The wood element that represents growing life
Doesn’t this structure resemble nitrogen being activated by lightning to become nitric acid, which then feeds life through the soil?
It’s a cyclical transformation—energy becoming life.
🔁 The Five Elements Are Not Just Materials
From this perspective, the Oh-Haeng (五行, Five Elements) in Saju aren’t just “wood, fire, earth, metal, water” in a material sense.
They are fluid, reactive flows of energy—like gases or forces that circulate, interact, and transform.
That’s why I no longer see Saju as an ancient tool of superstition or fortune-telling.
To me, it’s a philosophical language of energy,
a system that interprets nature’s logic and patterns of flow.
Lee Sang-min has mentioned on various shows that he “didn’t receive much help from his parents.” Yet at the same time, his deep filial devotion to his mother is something many people recognize and admire. Every time I hear such stories, I’m reminded once again of his Saju chart.
Unlike Psy or Park Jin-young, Lee Sang-min’s Saju shows a relatively balanced distribution of the Five Elements (Oh-Haeng). What stands out, however, is that while Gwan-Seong (Controlling Star) and In-Seong (Resource Star) are located close to his Day Master, Shin (辛, Metal), his Sik-Shin Gye (癸, Water)—representing talent and creativity—is placed far apart in the Year Stem, isolated from the rest.
In such charts, the most critical factor is where one chooses to center their life. If we follow the natural flow of energy, the path that moves through Byeon-Gwan O Fire (午火) into Jeong-In Mu Earth (戊土) is relatively stable and less turbulent. This route points to success in formal or organizational settings—where one’s abilities can shine within structured environments.
However, Lee Sang-min chose a different path. He followed the energy of Sik-Shin, that is, creativity and artistic expression, and entered the entertainment industry. While Sik-Shin represents talent and flair, in this chart it’s positioned far from the core flow—making it a potential source of disruption or instability.
This is a Saju where the direction of life can change dramatically depending on what is placed at the center. With diverse elemental forces present, one’s choices may become ambiguous at times, and the resulting wavering can lead to fatigue and confusion in life’s direction.
If I could go back in time and offer him advice, I would’ve recommended a path where he could grow as a leader within a stable organization rather than pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.
His Saju indicates that, with the right capabilities, he had the potential to rise to the position of a company CEO or executive.
Or—at the very least, I would have strongly urged him to focus solely on being a singer and never to run an entertainment agency.
Of course, life doesn’t always unfold according to one’s Saju. When I look at Lee Sang-min’s journey, he doesn’t seem like someone who was simply dragged along by fate. Rather, he feels like a person who forged his own path through deliberate choices.
In 1994, Lee Sang-min made his debut with the group Roo’ra, achieving instant popularity and commercial success.
Their mega-hit song “Angel Who Lost Her Wings” sold over 1.8 million copies, catapulting him into stardom as one of the defining figures of the Korean pop scene in the 1990s.
But if we look into his Saju (Four Pillars of Destiny), this debut wasn’t just a case of good timing or sheer luck.
From 1992 to 1993, his chart was strongly influenced by the energies of Bi-Gyeop (比劫, Peer Stars) and Sik-Sang (食傷, Expression Stars).
For someone like Lee Sang-min, who possesses a relatively weak Day Master, these external forces actually helped activate and elevate his talents.
In simple terms, the energy of his surroundings pulled him onto the stage.
Moreover, the start of the Byeong-Jin (丙辰) 10-year fortune cycle in 1988 marked a major turning point in his life.
This luck cycle brought in Jeong-Gwan (正官, Proper Authority) through Byeong Fire (丙火) and Jeong-In (正印, Proper Resource) through Mu Earth (戊土)—a highly auspicious combination for building social recognition and long-term stability.
Riding this wave of fortune, Lee Sang-min ended his Roo’ra activities in 1997 and smoothly transitioned into a producer role.
He went on to create and shape numerous successful acts, including Diva, SoHoTai, and Country Kko Kko, becoming a dominant force in the Korean pop industry.
This wasn’t just a celebrity’s continued success—it marked the birth of a new identity:
“Lee Sang-min the Creator.”
Starting in 1998, Lee Sang-min entered a major turning point in his life.
His 10-year fortune cycle (Daewoon) shifted to Eul-Myo (乙卯)—and although it appeared to usher in even greater success on the surface,
from a Saju (Four Pillars of Destiny) perspective, it marked the beginning of a dangerous phase.
Why is that?
Lee Sang-min’s chart is most stable when there is harmony between Gwan-Seong (官星, Authority element) and In-Seong (印星, Resource element)—namely Fire (火) and Earth (土) energies.
However, the Eul-Myo luck cycle brought in an overwhelming amount of Pyeon-Jae (偏財, Unorthodox Wealth) through Eul Wood (乙木) and Myowood (卯木).
This strong Wood energy overcomes (克) the Earth (his internal foundation), destabilizing the very elements that once supported his mental and emotional equilibrium.
And yet, ironically—
the years 1998–1999 were the peak of Lee Sang-min’s career.
He produced back-to-back successes with groups like Diva, S#arp, and Chakra,
earning the nickname “The Midas Touch” for his string of hit acts.
This contradiction can be explained through the lens of Se-Woon (Yearly Fortune).
The Heavenly Stems of Earth (土) that entered each year temporarily offset the destabilizing effects of the Daewoon,
propping up his success like a brief moment of calm before a storm.
But that calm didn’t last.
In 2004, with his marriage, things began to shift.
Then came the unraveling:
- 2005: Divorce
- 2006 onward: Business failures
- Overextended investments and strained partnerships
- Alleged involvement in illegal gambling sites
- Criminal charges and a forced hiatus from the entertainment industry
Eventually, he was left with a staggering debt of 6.9 billion KRW (approx. $5 million)
and spent nearly 20 years living outside the spotlight.
All of this was the manifestation of the dangers embedded in his Eul-Myo luck cycle.
When Pyeon-Jae (Unorthodox Wealth) becomes excessively strong,
it can crush the vital In-Seong (Resource) energy that sustains one’s inner balance—
leading to a total collapse of life’s equilibrium.
This story teaches us a crucial truth:
Saju isn’t just about what’s “good” or “bad.”
It’s a compass to understand how different flows of energy affect your life—
and how you should adjust your path accordingly.
Lee Sang-min’s life delivers a powerful message:
“When you chase desire without understanding the flow,
you may end up destroying the very things you held most dear.”
In 2010 and 2011,
Lee Sang-min had effectively ceased all television appearances.
Once called the “Midas Touch” of the entertainment industry,
he was now simply trying to survive,
weighed down by debt collectors and the burden of daily life.
He didn’t even file for bankruptcy.
He made a heavy and courageous decision:
to repay all his debts on his own—
a choice to face reality head-on.
For nearly a decade,
he had to live under the harsh label of a “fallen celebrity.”
Then, in 2012,
he returned to the public eye through the Mnet reality show “The God of Music”,
using self-deprecation and satire to confront his past.
That same year, he founded LSM Entertainment
and began nurturing rookie trainees, taking on a new role as a producer.
From 2013 onward,
he made appearances on various variety shows like “Radio Star” and “The Genius,”
gradually regaining his name and presence.
When we examine his Saju (Four Pillars of Destiny),
we can see how he endured such a long and dark tunnel.
The celestial stems Shin, Im, and Gye (辛·壬·癸)—
a structure known as “Metal generates Water (金生水)”—
formed a triadic flow that supported his mental resilience,
preventing him from falling apart.
Within that current,
he shaped his own vessel and courage.
It was because of that inner strength
that he was able to shoulder the staggering weight of 7 billion won in debt.
Lately, rumors of remarriage often surface in the media.
Personally, I believe
he is now entering a warmer, more peaceful chapter of life.
As for his previous marriage,
his chart actually suggests a decent compatibility in terms of personality and energy.
But the flow of his fortune at the time was simply too turbulent—
making it hard for them to walk that path together.
Had he chosen a typical path as a company employee,
perhaps he wouldn’t have faced such hardships.
But Lee Sang-min persisted in doing things his way,
and in the end,
he became someone who could carry the full weight of his own life.
Now, having passed through failure and pain,
he stands at the beginning of a new chapter—
one in which he fully deserves genuine support.
The past has passed.
What remains—
is the brighter road ahead of him.
In the previous post, I explored Lee Sang-min’s life journey,
highlighting a key insight:
“More important than success is the strength to endure misfortune and rebuild.”
Success may bring fleeting spotlight moments,
but hardship tests the depth of a person’s inner self.
And today,
we’ll turn to a completely different story.
Not a fleeting star who rose and fell—
but someone who rose quietly, slowly, and relentlessly to the top.
That person is—Bang Si-hyuk.
How did he transform K-POP from a genre into a full-blown global industry?
How did he ascend to the ranks of the world’s wealthiest?
And now—
why is he starting to waver?
In the next post,
we’ll explore his Saju to uncover the true nature of his success,
and reflect on the anxiety that remains,
even after one acquires power and fortune.
