Miky Lee, vice chairwoman of CJ Group / Courtesy of CJ ENM Miky Lee, vice chairwoman of CJ Group, will deliver the 2025 commencement address for the University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts, the U.S. university and the Korean conglomerate said Wednesday. They said Lee, a key figure in driving CJ’s entertainment and media ventures through its entertainment arm CJ ENM, is scheduled to attend the graduation ceremony on May 16. USC School of Cinematic Arts Dean Elizabeth M. Daley lauded Lee as "a champion of artists and storytellers and a trailblazer in the evolution of multinational film collaborations." "She loves international cinema and brings that appreciation to every project she produces. Her career stands as a global model of success in the creative industries, and her dedication to creating cultural connection is an inspiration for us all. We are so pleased to welcome her to USC," Daley added. Lee has made a significant history in the industry, including CJ’s early investment in DreamWorks SKG. As an executive producer, she has been involved in critically acclaimed films such as Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” (2019), Park Chan-wook’s “Decision to Leave” (2022) and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Broker” (2022). Lee’s consistent efforts in collaborating between the Korean and global film industries reached a significant milestone in 2019 when CJ ENM invested in and distributed Bong’s “Parasite,” which earned numerous awards and showcased the strength of Korean cinema to the world. “Parasite” won the Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and, in 2020, achieved a historic feat at the U.S. Academy Awards, winning four awards, including best picture, best director, best original screenplay and best international feature film. Beyond film, Lee has also been instrumental in the global expansion of K-pop, spearheading KCON and founding the MAMA Awards. Lee’s contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Pillar Award from the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the International Emmy Directorate Award and the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit from the Korean government. Lee joins a distinguished list of past commencement speakers at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, including film producer Brian Grazer, filmmaker and actor Ron Howard and film producer Jon M. Chu.
