Veteran actor Lee Soon-jae will play the role of a headmaster on “Idol School,” Mnet’s new idol competition show. “Idol School” trains future K-pop stars over an 11-week period. The students who pass the graduation exam will then debut as a female K-pop group.

“Lee will be a great mentor for the trainees,” Mnet said Monday. “Lee knows what it means to be a celebrity, since he has been in the entertainment business for more than 60 years.” “I would like to lead the students in the right direction,” Lee said. Kim Hee-chul of Super Junior and producer Black Eyed Philseung will appear on the show as teachers. The program, currently accepting applications from K-pop idol wannabes, is set to air in July. By Im Eun-byel ()