[1] Born in Wonju, Gangwon province, Lee started playing badminton at aged nine.

[2] In the junior event, she competed at the Asian Junior Championships, winning a gold medal in the girls' team event in 2001, girls team silver and girls' doubles bronze medal in 2002.

[6] She made a debut at the Uber Cup in 2004, and captured the attention by her outstanding performance winning the singles and doubles event in the semi-finals against Denmark.

[2] In the Sudirman Cup, she helped the team reaching in to the semi-finals round in 2005 and 2007, clinched the bronze medal for the team.

[7][8] Lee who was affiliated with the Daekyo Noonoppi, helped the Korean team won the world women's team championships at the 2010 Uber Cup.