Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Miky Lee solidifies legacy as visionary architect of Korean cinema
Miky Lee, second from left, vice chairwoman of CJ Group, celebrates after director Bong Joon-ho’s movie “Parasite” wins Best Picture at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb. 9, 2020. Reuters-Yonhap
By Baek Byung-yeul
You may not know her name, but you've likely seen the impact of her work.
From introducing multiplex cinemas to Korea to backing filmmakers who would later redefine world cinema, Miky Lee has spent decades building the foundation of an industry that now commands global attention. Long before "Parasite" introduced her to the world stage, she was already transforming how Korean stories were created, distributed and shared with the world.
The CJ Group vice chairperson's legacy was recognized once again as she earned a spot as the only Korean on Forbes' 50 Over 50 Global 2026 list — joining influential figures such as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Oscar-winning actor Penelope Cruz.
The U.S. business magazine praised Lee for her enduring leadership and transformative role in shaping Korea’s cultural industry and its global rise. While many in the West first became familiar with Lee after the historic Oscar win of "Parasite" in 2020, Forbes noted that her influence stretches back much further.
"Though the world first learned her name in 2019, when she served as a producer for ‘Parasite’ — which in 2020 became the first non-English-language film to win the Oscar for Best Picture — Lee has been influential in Korean filmmaking for decades," the magazine wrote.
Born in 1958 in Michigan, Lee is the granddaughter of Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul and the daughter of his eldest son, Lee Maeng-hee. Despite her position in one of Korea’s most powerful business dynasties, she forged her own path in an entirely different field: entertainment.
Her journey began in 1994 when she founded the entertainment division of CJ Group, a bold move at the time for a food-focused conglomerate. Her decision to enter the fledgling Korean film industry was seen as unconventional and her move to become a founding investor in Hollywood’s DreamWorks signaled her global ambitions from the start.
Her decision laid the foundation for CJ ENM, now one of Asia’s leading content producers. From backing domestic blockbusters to distributing international hits, Lee played a central role in turning Korean cinema into a global force.
One of Lee’s most groundbreaking moves was introducing the multiplex cinema model to Korea, changing how films were consumed and creating a stable, scalable distribution system. This revolutionized the domestic market, giving rise to sustained audience growth and professionalized production systems.
Industry officials point out that Lee’s contribution to Korean cinema is not only about individual films, but also about the foundation of the modern industry.
"I believe that one of Lee's greatest achievements in the development of the film industry was the introduction of the multiplex cinema system to Korea," an official from the local film industry said on condition of anonymity. "By modernizing the way audiences consume films, she created a sustainable ecosystem for growth."
Miky Lee, left, vice chairwoman of CJ Group, poses with director Park Chan-wook as they arrive for the Academy Museum Gala at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, Oct. 15, 2022. AFP-Yonhap
Her willingness to take risks on infrastructure and talent was the catalyst for the Korean film scene to explode. She consistently backed directors — including Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho — through investment and development opportunities long before they became household names, playing a critical role in nurturing creative talent.
That commitment translated into landmark films. Lee served as producer on Bong’s 2013 English-language debut "Snowpiercer," which expanded Korean cinema’s reach into the global market, and later on "Parasite."
She is also behind Park Chan-wook's "Decision to Leave" and "No Other Choice," both of which reinforced Korean cinema's presence on the global festival circuit.
Despite her central role, Lee has consistently deflected credit toward the creators and the audiences.
“I really like to thank director Bong. Thank you for being you,” she said in her Oscar acceptance speech for "Parasite."
“What I really like about him is his sense of humor and ... he never takes himself seriously.”
She also gave thanks to Korean moviegoers, calling them the driving force behind the industry’s evolution.
"Our moviegoers ... never hesitated to give us a straightforward opinion on what they feel like (in) their movies,” Lee said. “That made us really never be able to be complacent and keep pushing the directors (and) the creators (to) keep pushing the envelopes.”
Film industry insiders agree that her impact on creative development was just as crucial as her business leadership.
"It is also one of her major contributions that she provided continuous investment and support for emerging filmmakers, allowing them to develop their unique creative style and advance their careers to the global stage," the film industry official said.
Lee’s influence hasn’t slowed. In July 2025, she co-founded First Light StoryHouse, a content label dedicated to spotlighting Asian and Asian American creators.
"Recent successes from Asian storytellers have shown the potential and authenticity of their stories. Through this effort, we aim to spotlight these voices, believing in the power of storytelling to bridge cultures," she said at the launch.
As Korean content grows on global platforms, Lee continues to act as a bridge between the domestic industry and Hollywood. Her ongoing work ensures that Asian stories maintain a consistent presence in the international market.