The Korean American Leaders in Hollywood will honor director Park Chan-wook, actor Lee Byung-hun and filmmaker Maggie Kang at its inaugural KALH Honors event on December 7 in Los Angeles. The celebration recognizes their contributions to Korean excellence in global cinema. KALH, founded in 2020, unites leaders from film, television, music and philanthropy.
Event Overview
The Korean American Leaders in Hollywood (KALH) announced its first KALH Honors ceremony, set for December 7, 2025, in Los Angeles. This event celebrates individuals advancing Korean storytelling in entertainment. KALH describes itself as a creative coalition that fosters cultural transformation through industry leadership.
Honorees and Awards
Park Chan-wook receives the Visionary Filmmaker honor for his three-decade career elevating Korean cinema globally. Known for acclaimed films like Oldboy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, The Handmaiden and Decision to Leave, his latest, No Other Choice, earned the International Audience Award at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and awards at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. He previously won the Grand Prix at Cannes for Oldboy and Best Film Not in the English Language at the BAFTAs for The Handmaiden.
Lee Byung-hun is awarded the Distinguished Actor honor following roles in Netflix's Squid Game and No Other Choice, for which he received a Gotham nomination. His past accolades include 14 awards for Inside Men, the Asian Film Excellence Award, presenting at the Oscars and handprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Recently, he won the Snow Leopard for Outstanding Cinematic Achievement (Male) at the 11th Asian World Film Festival on November 20, 2025, in Culver City.
Maggie Kang earns the Pioneer Award for co-directing and co-writing Netflix's animated hit KPop Demon Hunters. Her credits also include The Lego Ninjago Movie, Trolls, Rio 2 and Puss in Boots. She is slated to write the sequel to KPop Demon Hunters.
Kymber Lim, KALH Founder and Executive Director, stated: “From the exuberant energy and style of KPop Demon Hunters, to the heartbreaking duality of the desperate everyman Man-su in No Other Choice, to the combustive iconography of Oldboy... Maggie Kang, Lee Byung-hun and Park Chan-wook illuminate the power of art without limits and demonstrate the breadth, diversity and richness of Korean storytelling.”
Background Context
Created in 2020, KALH highlights Korean excellence across entertainment sectors. The honors underscore the growing global impact of Korean filmmakers and actors amid rising interest in K-content.