[1][2][3] Lee was born in Mokpo, Zenranan-dō, Korea, Empire of Japan.

She became an actress in 1930, and debuted as a singer under OK Records in 1932, with the stage name Lee Nan-young.

[8] She married Kim Hae-song [ko], a singer, composer and a conductor, in 1937.

To earn money, Lee and her children sang for the American troops.

[9] She died in 1965 in Seoul, and is buried in Lee Nan-young Park in Samhakdo, Mokpo.