People

CJ Group Vice Chairwoman Miky Lee received the Centennial Medal of Lifetime Achievement at the 2026 Asian Hall of Fame ceremony, held in Los Angeles on November 5, recognizing her more than three decades of leadership in bringing Korean entertainment to global audiences.

The award celebrates Lee’s contribution to the international growth of Korean film, television and music, as well as her role in fostering cross-cultural collaboration.
In her acceptance speech, Lee emphasized the importance of culture: “Culture is like oxygen. We may take it for granted, but we cannot live without it,” she said. Reflecting on CJ’s achievements, she added, “Looking back, I am proud of what we have built together and deeply grateful to those who believed in us along the way.”

Looking to the future, she stated: “Our greatest legacy is not simply what we have accomplished, but the opportunities we create for those who come after us. I hope the next generation will dream bigger than we ever dared, and challenge what we thought was possible.”
The medal was presented by Soo-man Lee, Key Producer of A2O Entertainment, who paid tribute to her influence on the global entertainment industry. “Last year, Miky was very generous when she introduced me. She called me the ‘Godfather of K-pop.’ Well, tonight, I'd like to return the favor. If I am the Godfather of K-pop, then Miky Lee is the Godmother of K-culture,” he said.

Lee’s career includes CJ’s landmark investment in DreamWorks in 1995, the development of Korea’s cinema industry through CGV, and the global expansion of K-pop through Mnet, MAMA AWARDS and KCON. Reflecting on Mnet’s creation, she said: “Mnet was more than a music channel. It was a community that embraced youth culture, where artists and creatives could express themselves and fans could connect.”

As executive producer of Parasite, Lee also contributed to the international success of the film, which made history in 2020 as the first non-English-language production to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Her commitment to international storytelling continues through CJ ENM’s First Light StoryHouse, a global label supporting Asian creators through development, investment and co-production.
The 22nd Asian Hall of Fame ceremony also honored BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ and Japanese baseball legend Hideo Nomo, bringing together leading figures from the global entertainment and cultural industries.