CJ Vice Chairman Lee Mi-kyung speaks at the SCA graduation ceremony..An open standing ovation for Spielberg and his anecdote.
May 18, 2025
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At the graduation ceremony held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on the 17th (Korea time), Vice Chairman Lee took the podium with the introduction of NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studio Chairman Donna Langley.
Langley said DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg would not have DreamWorks now without Vice Chairman LeeHe praised Vice Chairman Lee as a producer who discovered talent with an outstanding eye and created numerous masterpieces, a connector that transcends cultural boundaries, and a visionary pastemaker who leads what we hear, see, and love."
At the same time as the name was called, about 580 graduates cheered enthusiastically, and Vice Chairman Lee, who reached the podium amid applause, congratulated and delivered affectionate advice to junior creators. Vice Chairman Lee said "The world is changing rapidly, but there is a truth that never changesHe emphasized that "Humility is the power to focus on the essence, persistence is the driving force to move forward when in need, and consideration is the way to grow together in solidarity with the other person."
Introducing his school days, early investments in Hollywood studio DreamWorks, and anecdotes with director Steven Spielberg, he said "Humility in the midst of countless moments of crisis and challenge allows us to understand how small we are and how much more we need to grow and learn."
In addition, referring to the experience of opening the first multiplex CGV in Korea in 1998 and opening more than 190 multiplexes over the next 15 years, the company faced more than 190 difficulties until opening 190 movie theaters, but did not give up and expanded its business to SCREENX and 4DX as well as overseas expansion," he said, expressing the importance of persistence.
Recalling the first time he met directors Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho, and Kim Ji-woon more than 20 years ago, he decided to support them in awe of their artistry, but it took years of hard work and dedication for masterpieces like 'Decision to Break Up', 'Good, Bad, Strange', 'Snowpiercer' and 'Parasite' to come out" he said.
In addition, these directors were considerate in respecting each other's works, supporting each other, and nurturing junior filmmakers, emphasizing that "care is about respecting the other person sincerely and understanding their pain and dreams together."
"Success becomes arrogance without humility, emptiness without consideration," Vice Chairman Lee said. "When faced with difficulties, we must find solutions with humility, go through them with persistence, but grow together with consideration for each other." I hope these three values will give you strength and help you become a creator who moves the hearts of people around the world" wrapped up the speech with a message of support, leaving a deep impression.
At the end of the speech, the audience of about 4,000 people filling the first and second floors of the auditorium cheered with a standing ovation. California Governor Gavin Newsom, SCA Dean Elizabeth Daly, and NBC Universal Studios President Donna Langley also applauded.
"Lee is a strong supporter of artists and storytellers and a pioneer in multinational film collaboration," Dean Daly said. "With her deep affection for global cinema, she has led numerous projects, and her career is a symbol of global success in the cultural industry." He continued "Her efforts to achieve intercultural exchanges and connections inspire us all"
Vice Chairman Lee has contributed to the globalization of the Korean content industry, starting with a strategic investment in DreamWorks SKG with CJ Chairman Lee Jae-hyun in 1995. In accordance with the teachings of Lee Byung-chul, the president of the Cultural Security Administration, 'If there is no culture, there is no country', he and Chairman Lee have developed CJ ENM into a global IP powerhouse and led the popularization and globalization of Korean culture over the past 30 years. CJ ENM, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is recognized as a major player in enhancing Korea's position by injecting K-culture, which encompasses movies, dramas, entertainment, and K-pop around the world.
In particular, Vice Chairman Lee left a great mark on the global film industry by overseeing a number of projects that raised the status of Korean films on the international stage, including films 'Parasite'Broker'Fast Lives'.
Vice Chairman Lee has served as a bridge in cultural diplomacy, receiving a number of awards from leading domestic and international organizations, including the 2022 Fillers and International Emmy Award at the Academy Film Museum in the United States, the 2023 Korea Gold Medal of Cultural Merit, the 2024 U.S. Global Citizen Award, and the 2025 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Recently, Park Chan-wook's 『I Can't Help It』 and Yorgos Lanthimos' next film 『Bugonia』 (Korean science fiction film 『Protect the Earth』!' He continues his global career by participating as an executive producer and producer of the remake).
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