CJ vice chairwoman named Berklee board member

The Berklee College of Music in Boston said Thursday it has named Lee Mie-kyung, vice chairwoman of South Korean conglomerate CJ Group, as a new member of its board of trustees.

The CJ executive, a U.S. citizen known as Miky Lee outside of Korea, has been overseeing the group’s entertainment and media business ranging from music to TV dramas since 1995. 

As one of the most influential figures in promoting Korean pop culture overseas, Lee was the first Asian woman to receive the World Business Award at the 2006 Women’s World Awards, among other accolades.

Lee is a “visionary who harnessed Korean music and culture and developed avenues for distributing it to the rest of the world,” said Berklee Board of Trustees chair Jeff Shames.

“Her accomplishments are prime examples for our entrepreneurial students who have their own visions for creating new archetypes in the industry,” he said.

CJ is the world’s largest promotor of Korean entertainment content. It operates CJ CGV, the largest cinema multiplex chain here, CJ Media, which is Korea’s leading cable network operator, and Mnet Media, which focuses on cable music television, distribution and live concerts.

Lee is the daughter of late CJ Group founder Lee Maeng-hee, the eldest son of late Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chull. 

By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)