LOS ANGELES — CJ Group Vice Chairwoman Miky Lee was honored with the prestigious Centennial Medal of Lifetime Achievement at the 2026 Asian Hall of Fame gala, held in Los Angeles on November 5.

The high-profile accolade recognizes individuals who have demonstrated sustained, transformative influence and excellence throughout their careers. Lee was celebrated for her three-decade dedication to bridging South Korea and the international stage through cinema, music, and television, significantly laying the groundwork for the worldwide surge of K-content.

A touching highlight of the evening was the presentation of the award by A2O Entertainment Key Producer Lee Soo-man. The gesture returned a favor from the previous year, when Vice Chairwoman Lee had served as the presenter for Producer Lee’s induction.

"Last year, Miky introduced me as the Godfather of K-pop. Tonight, I am honored to return that courtesy," Producer Lee stated during his speech. "If I am the Godfather of K-pop, she is undeniably the Godmother of K-culture." He added, "Long before Korea commanded a major presence in global entertainment, she recognized a future others overlooked. That kind of visionary courage is the definition of true leadership."

In her acceptance speech, Lee drew a parallel between culture and human survival. "Culture is much like oxygen—we easily take it for granted in our daily lives, yet we simply cannot exist without it," she noted.

Shifting her focus to the future, Lee emphasized the responsibility of empowering younger creators. "Our ultimate legacy is not just the milestones we’ve reached, but opening doors so the next generation can dream bigger and push past the boundaries we once faced."

Reflecting on her career milestones—including the launch of Mnet, MAMA AWARDS, and KCON—Lee shared how these platforms were designed to foster youth culture and global fan communities. Concluding her remarks, she thanked fans worldwide, echoing the enduring ethos of the Hallyu wave: "‘Music Makes One’ has always been our ultimate vision, and global fans are the ones who brought that dream to life."

Now in its 22nd year, the Asian Hall of Fame celebrates elite Asian leaders across arts, sports, business, and philanthropy. The 2026 class welcomed several prominent global icons alongside Vice Chairwoman Lee, including BLACKPINK member ROSÉ and baseball legend Hideo Nomo.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]