She debuted as a commercial model in 2003, then began her acting career by doing supporting roles, notably in Tazza: The High Rollers and Dear Heaven, before being cast in her first leading role in the 2006 sitcom Soulmate.

[3] Lee became a household name in 2007 after headlining the hit family drama The Golden Age of Daughters-in-Law.

[4] After doing the mystery thriller Rainbow Eyes,[5] and holiday movie Romantic Island,[6] Lee returned to television.

She has since starred in the romantic comedy Lawyers of the Great Republic of Korea,[7][8] surrogacy melodrama Loving You a Thousand Times,[9] and political series Daemul.

[10] In April 2018, Lee signed with new management agency Echo Global Group.