Lee graduated from Seoul National University with high honors in traditional Korean music.

She managed to break into the Top 5 and was placed 3rd runner-up; Riyo Mori from Japan was crowned Miss Universe that year.

[9] She has released four CDs and played in more than 25 countries, including concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

[10] Lee performed at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics, where she reinterpreted '춘앵무 (Chunaengmu)', one of the royal dances of the Joseon period.

[13] In 2008, she made her acting debut in the musical Polaroid which opened at PMC Daehangno Jayu Theater in Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu.

[23] After appearing in E J-yong's ensemble mockumentary Behind the Camera (2013), Lee starred in the gambling film Tazza: The Hidden Card (2014), playing a rich widow.

Lee then played Queen Daemok in the 2015 historical drama Shine or Go Crazy, which depicts a fictional romance between a cursed Goryeo prince and the last princess of Balhae.

[27] Lee was praised for her chemistry with co-star Oh Yeon-seo, whom she has acted with in her previous project Shine or Go Crazy.

Lee has been actively involved in voluntary work for several organizations such as UNICEF, Compassion and World Vision.

[36] Lee holds a third degree black belt in Taekwondo, and is a scuba diver and a competitive skier.

On December 21, 2021, Saram Entertainment confirmed that Lee has married that day, and the wedding ceremony was held in Seoul where only family members attended.