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.

She was named a gayageum prodigy by the Kumho Art Center, the most prestigious musical foundation in Korea.

[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.

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.