May Lee
May Lee, a veteran of television both in the United States and internationally, shares her colorful and inspiring story of how a shy, insecure youngster of Korean descent became an intrepid, high-profile international journalist and TV host. Her often gritty stories reveal the challenges that she faced along the way, being both Asian and a woman, in a highly judgmental, often unforgiving industry. May attributes her ability to confront and overcome those difficulties to her belief in what she calls her “4 Ps for Success” -passion, perseverance, persuasion, and patience.
May recounts her professional journey starting as a naive news intern in San Francisco to her rapid rise as a journalist working for top media networks including NHK, CNN, CNBC and Oprah Winfrey’s women’s channel, Oxygen. The desire to make a bold break from the mold led May in 2005 to take the entrepreneurial step of starting her own company, Lotus Media House. Based in Singapore, she launched her own unique, groundbreaking talk show about the modern women of Asia.
May’s career, driven by her passion for sharing people’s stories through the dynamic medium of television, has required her to draw on all her resources of patience, perseverance, and powers of persuasion. And she has had to do so while facing and overcoming loneliness, fears, and uncertainty in her personal life. Her account of the many ups and downs both professionally and personally is raw and honest, with as many cliffhangers as an afternoon TV soap opera.
May Lee “Live and In Person” is the first book to be written by and about an Asian female television journalist who has experienced both the U.S. and international media.
What People Are Saying About “Live and In Person”
May Lee proves that she is a true fighter with intense passion for what she believes in. Her own transformation from a shy, little girl to intrepid journalist and now entrepreneur shows us all that when intentions are genuine, anything is possible even in an industry as tough as the media. Anyone who reads her story will, undoubtedly, be inspired to follow their passion regardless of obstacles that stand in the way in order to realize their dreams.
– Geraldine Laybourne, Co-founder, Oxygen Media
May Lee is an inspiration. She’s a woman who not only has had big, bold dreams, but the courage to pursue them.
I loved this book-Sex and the City meets Broadcast News. If I could have even one of the many adventures May’s had, my life would be a heck of a lot more interesting!
– Paul Starke, Senior Producer, The Tyra Banks Show
You will be drawn in, as I was, by this very personal story showing May Lee’s passion and perseverance, in the face of many doubts and disappointments, in the television industry in the US and Asia. The book gives a unique behind-the-camera look at May’s first job as an intern at a US local TV station to becoming a well-known TV anchor and as she continues her journey as a media entrepreneur.
– Michelle Guthrie, Former CEO, Star TV
As a fellow Korean-American, I am thrilled to see May Lee succeed not just as a pioneer in broadcast television, but as an Asian woman who is constantly striving to stretch her limits and inspire others to do the same. This must-read book has it all…honesty, hope, heartbreak, humor and, most importantly, passion. I’m extremely fortunate to have had the chance to meet and work with May on a professional level, and very proud to call her a friend.
– Daniel Henney, Actor
A heartfelt and sometimes brutally candid view of one woman’s life in the competitive business of TV news. May Lee’s writing is bold and honest as is she.
– Eunice Yoon, CNN International
Learn More About and Connect with May Lee
- Twitter: @mayleeasia
- Her blog: May Lee’s Asia
- Her book: ”Live and In Person“
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