Lee Hanee is the middle child of three, and has an older sister and a younger brother. Her father :ko:이상업|Lee Sang-eob was a high-ranking official with the National Intelligence Service. Her mother Moon Jae-suk has a Ph.D in Korean music history and is a professor at Ewha Womans University as well as music director of Gimhae City Gayageum Orchestra. Her sister is :ko:이슬기 |Lee Seul-gi, a member of the KBS Orchestra of Traditional Korean Music. Lee's maternal uncle is politician Moon Hee-sang. Lee graduated from Seoul National University with high honors in traditional Korean music. She received her master's degree from the same university.
Career
Beauty pageant
Lee won the 2006 Miss Korea pageant and represented South Korea in the Miss Universe 2007. She managed to went in to the Top 5 and was placed 3rd runner-up; Riyo Mori from Japan was crowned Miss Universe that year. Lee was also named Miss Grand Slam 2007.
Music
Lee is a professional gayageum player, a Korean music instrument. She was named a gayageum prodigy by the Kumho Art Center, the most prestigious musical foundation in Korea. She has released four CDs and played in more than 25 countries, including concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 2017, she participated in the largest-ever mass performance of the gayageum as part of the two-day Uijeongbu International Gayageum Festival. Lee performed at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics, where she reinterpreted '춘앵무', one of the royal dances of the Joseon dynasty.
Film and television
Lee Hanee co-hosted Real Time TV Entertainment, on the national TV network SBS, a 12-year-old show focusing on show business, beginning July 18. In 2008, she made her acting debut in the musical Polaroid which opened at PMC Daehangno Jayu Theater in Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu. She has since starred in musicals Legally Blonde, playing Elle Woods and Chicago, playing Roxie Hart. In 2009, Lee starred in her first television series The Partner, playing a femme fatale attorney. She next starred in the romantic comedy series Pasta, playing a celebrity chef. Lee won her first acting accolade at the MBC Drama Awards, the Best Newcomer award for her performance in the family drama Iron Daughters-in-law. In 2011, Lee was cast in her first big screen role in action film, Hit. She also featured in the disaster film Deranged and period comedy I Am a King. After appearing in E J-yong's ensemble mockumentary Behind the Camera, Lee starred in the gambling film , playing a rich widow. Lee then played Queen Daemok in the 2015 historical dramaShine or Go Crazy, which depicts a fictional romance between a cursed Goryeo prince and the last princess of Balhae. The same year, she starred in the science fiction filmSori: Voice From The Heart. In 2016, Lee starred in the comedy drama Please Come Back, Mister. 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. In 2017, Lee played famous gisaeng Jang Nok-su in the historical drama The Rebel. She won critical praise for her portrayal, and won several acting awards. The same year, she featured in crime thriller Heart Blackened and action comedy filmThe Bros. In 2019, Lee starred in the comedy filmExtreme Job as a narcotics detective. The film became the second-most successful Korean film ever with 16 million tickets sold. The same year, she starred in comedy crime drama The Fiery Priest as a prosector. The drama was a commercial success with over 20% in ratings. Both projects proved Lee's versatility and contributed to her rise in popularity.
Personal life
Lee has been actively involved in voluntary work for several organizations such as UNICEF, Compassion and World Vision. She serves as the Goodwill Ambassador for Beauty Mind Charity and Korea Green Foundation. Lee holds a third degree black belt in Taekwondo, and is a scuba diver and a competitive skier. In February 2013, it was confirmed that Lee was in a relationship with South Korean actor and singer Yoon Kye-sang. On June 11, 2020, it was confirmed that both have broken up. She is of Christian faith and follows a vegetarian diet.
