NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Lee Mi‑kyung, vice chair of CJ Group, received the Arts Champion Award at the 26th Newport Beach Film Festival for her contributions to spreading Korean culture and advancing the global content industry.
The award was presented at the festival on Oct. 22 (local time Oct. 19) in Newport Beach, California. The Newport Beach Film Festival annually honors individuals who have made notable contributions to film and the broader cultural industries.
The festival praised Lee for acting as a bridge between East and West in the global media industry and for her substantial support of the arts through education and industry initiatives. Lee, who has played a leading role in the internationalization of K‑content, has supported the global distribution of Korean films including Parasite, Broker and Decision to Leave.
In her acceptance remarks, Lee said CJ began its cultural journey in entertainment and media 30 years ago and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect different cultures and support talented creators and their dreams.
This year’s festival drew major names from around the world, including actors Scarlett Johansson, Brendan Fraser, Mark Hamill, Diane Lane and Lee Byung‑hun, as well as prominent industry figures such as producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Park Chan‑wook.
Launched in 1999, the Newport Beach Film Festival is one of the leading international film festivals on the U.S. West Coast and attracts roughly 50,000 film fans and industry participants each year.
