Parasite‘s Miky Lee New Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipient
Miky Lee, producer of the multi-Oscar-winning film Parasite, will be presented with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor on May 10 at the gala ceremony in Ellis Island’s Great Hall.
Lee has spent the past three decades producing Korean entertainment that would be recognized worldwide. As the vice chair of CJ Group, whose entertainment division produced Parasite, she contributed to the film’s success and elevated South Korean media. More recently, she produced A24’s critically acclaimed Past Lives, which was nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards.
PAST LIVES is a delicate gem of reconciling with one’s former self. Constantly pondering “what ifs” only hold back your story, but the necessary cathartic understanding of closure is what moves you forward into who you really are. pic.twitter.com/8gGm75SpKG
— tony (@lnfinitestarboy) July 1, 2023
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor recognizes individuals who have made waves in their fields, pushing for change and innovation for the benefit of society.
Ellis Island Honors Society Chairman Nasser Kazeminy explains, “The Ellis Island Medals of Honor shine a light on the brilliance, innovation, compassion, dedication, and creativity of one of the most diverse and dynamic generations in U.S. history. Our honorees are trailblazers across fields as varied as logistics, the military, journalism, biotechnology, and finance. Yet, they share a powerful common mission: to make their country—and the world—a better place.”
The Ellis Island Honors Society announces Lee’s selection by stating, “We are thrilled to include Miky Lee as one of this year’s prestigious honorees. Over the past three decades, Miky Lee, vice chair of CJ Group, has been instrumental in elevating Korean culture to the world stage. As the executive producer of groundbreaking films like Parasite – the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for best picture – and Decision to Leave, she has played a pivotal role in bringing Korean cinema to international prominence.”
Lee joins an impressive roster of this year’s honorees, including Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Pfizer’s Albert Bourla, Nobel laureates Dr. James Patrick Allison, and former Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu.
Previous Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients include Presidents Ronald Reagan and Joe Biden, Apple CEO John Sculley, Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt, Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, and former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi.
Lee’s upcoming project is Bugonia, an English-language remake of the 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet! The sci-fi comedy will star Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons and is scheduled to be released on November 7.
bugonia will be most challenging role of emma stone's life and that makes me even more excited pic.twitter.com/pVJAveVVhN
— l̶i̶m̶a̶ ̶☆ harris dickinson's pr manager (@favdickinson) April 3, 2025
While Lee waits for Bugonia to hit theaters, she will celebrate her career and accomplishments by receiving the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. She will be presented the award at the Ellis Island Great Hall on May 10.
