Dr. So-yeon Yi, Korea’s first astronaut; Soo-man Lee, key producer and visionary leader of A2O Entertainment; and Il-yeon Kwon, chairman of H Mart, have been inducted into the 2025 Asian Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony, which honors Asian figures for their societal contributions, was held on November 1 at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. This year’s honorees included 14 individuals and one institution, among them legendary NBA player Yao Ming, Japanese rock band X Japan’s Yoshiki, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and the renowned Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli.
Dr. Yi said, “This induction is not a personal honor, but a tribute to all those who dedicate themselves to advancing women and science in Asia,” adding, “I hope to inspire others to believe that dreams can indeed be achieved.” She drew attention by wearing a hanbok, Korea’s traditional clothing, on stage and a space suit during the red-carpet event earlier that day. “It’s a replica of the suit I wore in space,” she explained, “and I personally added the Taegeuk emblem, which wasn’t part of the original design.”
Chairman Kwon stated, “This honor does not belong to me alone—it belongs to every employee who lights up H Mart stores at dawn, every customer who shares our values, and my family.” He added, “With the same spirit as when we began, we will continue to spread 5,000 years of Korean culinary culture throughout American society.”
Producer Lee remarked, “This was a moment to reflect on how music connects us. K-pop has become a global movement, providing a platform for Asian artists to express their unique voices.” On the red carpet, in response to The Korea Daily inquiry, he revealed plans to debut a new boy group in Korea early next year, featuring members of various nationalities, including Japanese, Chinese, and Thai artists.
Around 300 guests, including honorees, industry leaders, and dignitaries, attended the event. CJ Vice Chairwoman Miky Lee, Girls’ Generation’s Sunny, and ABC Seoul Bureau Chief Joohee Cho were among those present, with Miky Lee serving as a presenter.
Founded in 2004, the Asian Hall of Fame annually recognizes influential Asian figures across science, the arts, business, and human rights. Past inductees include AMD CEO Lisa Su, U.S. Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, soprano Sumi Jo, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, and journalist Connie Chung. To date, 19 Korean and Korean American figures have been inducted.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
