CNN-Praised “K-Culture” Global Designer Lee Mikyung, Vice Chair of CJ, “Culture Is the True Measure of National Competitiveness”

The Ultimate Goal of “K-Content”: Authenticity That Connects the World

Vice Chair Lee Mikyung of CJ Group appeared on U.S. TV network CNN and laid out the vision for “K-Content”. She emphasized, “The ultimate vision is not just to introduce Korean culture, but to bring people around the world together through stories that are genuinely authentic.”

Vice Chair Lee Mikyung of CJ Group, who appeared in the U.S. CNN documentary “K-Everything”. Through an interview with Korean-American Hollywood actor “Daniel Dae Kim”, she presented the vision for the globalization journey of “K-Content” and the future creator ecosystem, leaving a powerful impact as a global leader.

1995 Investment in “DreamWorks”: A Cultural Empire Created From Nothing

In the CNN International documentary “K-Everything”, which aired on the 9th, Vice Chair Lee sat down with Korean-American Hollywood actor “Daniel Dae Kim” to outline a future blueprint for the “K-Culture” industry.

On the broadcast, Vice Chair Lee looked back on the time in 1995 when she took her first step into the culture business with an investment in “DreamWorks”. Drawing on the philosophy of Lee Byung-chul, former Samsung chairman, who said, “When the power of culture combines with industrial strength and economic capability, a nation gains true competitiveness,” she explained that she came to realize how the entertainment industry can evolve intangible assets into sustainable businesses. She also made clear her firm commitment to building a healthy creator ecosystem so that creators can continuously create new stories.

Innovative Thinking and Leadership Praised by “Daniel Dae Kim” and CNN

Her interview partner, “Daniel Dae Kim”, highly praised Vice Chair Lee’s resolute pioneering spirit. He said, “Vice Chair Lee firmly believed that Korean culture would stand at the center of the world, and she is essentially the person who created the industrial ecosystem for exporting it to the world from nothing.” He shined a spotlight on CJ’s full-scale support for Korean creators, including director “Bong Joon-ho”.

CNN’s four-part documentary series “K-Everything” also delved deeply into the process by which “K-Culture” became established as a global mainstream culture, paying close attention to the key role played by CJ and Vice Chair Lee in leading the global spread of “K-Content”—including films, dramas, and music—for more than 30 years.

From “Parasite” to “KCON,” Unstoppable Global Moves

The documentary covered in detail the success of well-made K-dramas, including the global takeover at major film festivals by the movie “Parasite”, as well as “Goblin” and “Mr. Sunshine”. It also reported in depth on CJ Group’s diverse achievements, including “KCON (KCON)”, which expanded K-pop fandom worldwide; “MAMA AWARDS (MAMA AWARDS)”; and “CJ Olive Young”, which leads in K-beauty.

Vice Chair Lee received a series of honors, including the 2022 International Emmy Award for Career Achievement, the 2023 Republic of Korea Order of Cultural Merit (Geumgwan), and the 2024 World Citizen Award in the United States. Through these recognitions, her contributions to global cultural exchange were acknowledged worldwide. She currently works as an executive board member of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and through the global label “First Light Storyhouse”, she is focused on discovering excellent Asia-based content and finding creators.