Lee Hanee is the middle child of three, and has an elder sister and a younger brother. Her father,Lee Sang-eob [ko], was a high-ranking official with theNational Intelligence Service. Her mother, Moon Jae-suk, has a PhD in Korean music history and is a professor atEwha Womans University as well as music director of the Gimhae Gayageum Orchestra. Her sister isLee Seul-gi [ko], a member of the KBS Orchestra of Traditional Korean Music. Lee's maternal uncle is politicianMoon Hee-sang (former Speaker of the National Assembly).
Lee graduated fromSeoul National University with high honors in traditional Korean music.[4] She received her master's degree from the same university.[5]
Lee won the 2006Miss Korea pageant and represented South Korea in theMiss Universe 2007. She managed to break into the Top 5 and was placed 3rd runner-up;Riyo Mori from Japan was crowned Miss Universe that year.[6] Lee was also named Miss Grand Slam 2007.[7]
Lee is a professionalgayageum player,[8] a Korean music instrument. 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. In 2017, she participated in the largest-ever mass performance of the gayageum as part of the two-day Uijeongbu International Gayageum Festival.[10] Lee performed at the closing ceremony of the2018 Winter Olympics, where she reinterpreted '춘앵무 (Chunaengmu)', one of the royal dances of theJoseon period.[11] Lee appeared in the music video ForDynamic Duo (South Korean duo)'s song "Jam".[12][circular reference] Presumably Lee plays a Honeybee in the video which is a pun on the honeybee themed video.
Lee Hanee co-hosted Real Time TV Entertainment, on the national TV networkSBS, a 12-year-old show focusing on show business, beginning July 18.[13] In 2008, she made her acting debut in the musicalPolaroid which opened at PMC Daehangno Jayu Theater inHyehwa-dong,Jongno District.[14] She has since starred in musicalsLegally Blonde, playing Elle Woods andChicago, playing Roxie Hart.[15][16]
Lee in 2015Lee in 2019
In 2009, Lee starred in her first television seriesThe Partner, playing a femme fatale attorney.[17] She next starred in the romantic comedy seriesPasta (2010), playing a celebrity chef.[18] Lee won her first acting accolade at theMBC Drama Awards, the Best Newcomer award for her performance in the family dramaIron Daughters-in-law (2011).[19][20] In 2011, Lee was cast in her first big screen role in action film,Hit.[21] She also featured in the disaster filmDeranged[22] and period comedyI Am a King (2012).[23]
After appearing in E J-yong's ensemble mockumentaryBehind the Camera (2013), Lee starred in the gambling filmTazza: The Hidden Card (2014), playing a rich widow.[24] She also appeared in a comedy drama in 2014 calledModern Farmer which is about a rock band called "Excellent Souls." The band consists of Lee Min-Ki (Lee Hong-Ki), Kang Hyeok (Park Min-Woo), Yoo Han-Cheol (Lee Si-Un) and Han Ki-Joon (Kwak Dong-Yeon). The band decides to move to the countryside. The drama series follows their dreams, loves, and friendships.
Lee then played Queen Daemok in the 2015 historical dramaShine or Go Crazy, which depicts a fictional romance between a cursedGoryeo prince and the last princess ofBalhae.[25] The same year, she starred in the science fiction filmSori: Voice From The Heart.[26] In 2016, Lee starred in the comedy dramaCome Back Mister.[27] Lee was praised for her chemistry with co-starOh Yeon-seo, whom she has acted with in her previous projectShine or Go Crazy.[28] In 2017, Lee played famous gisaengJang Nok-su in the historical dramaThe Rebel. She won critical praise for her portrayal, and won several acting awards.[29] The same year, she featured in crime thrillerHeart Blackened[30] and action comedy filmThe Bros.[31]
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.[32] The same year, she starred in comedy crime dramaThe Fiery Priest as a prosecutor. The drama was a commercial success with over 20% in ratings.[33] Both projects proved Lee's versatility and contributed to her rise in popularity.[34]
In 2021, Lee starred another SBS dramaOne the Woman withLee Sang-yoon, Jin Seo-yeon andLee Won-keun, making a small screen comeback in two years.[35] She played dual roles as Jo Yeon-joo, a smart but corrupted prosecutor (which is similar to her previous dramaThe Fiery Priest) and Kang Mi-na, an illegitimate daughter of a chaebol who is abused by her family and her husband's family. The drama was a hit with the last episode achieving 3.2 million viewers and a rating of 17.8%. For her successful portrayal of dual character with polar opposite personality, she earned a top excellence award and daesang nomination at2021 SBS Drama Awards.
Lee has been actively involved in voluntary work for several organizations such asUNICEF, Compassion and World Vision. She serves as the Goodwill Ambassador for Beauty Mind Charity and Korea Green Foundation.[36] Lee holds a third degree black belt in Taekwondo, and is a scuba diver and a competitive skier.[citation needed] She is of Christian faith[37] and once followed a vegetarian diet. But she began eating meat and fish for her own freedom according to her.[38]
On November 8, 2021, it was confirmed that Lee was dating a non-celebrity boyfriend.[39] They have been dating since early 2021. 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.[40] According to Lee's agency, her husband is aKorean-American office worker.[41] In January 2022, Lee's agency announced that Lee was 4 months pregnant with her first child.[42][43] On June 20, 2022, she gave birth to a daughter at a hospital in Seoul.[44] On March 7, 2025, it was announced that Lee was expecting her second child.[45] Lee gave birth to a second daughter on August 24.[46]
^Oh Yoon-joo (November 8, 2021).이하늬 측 "비연예인과 교제 중, 올 초 지인 소개로 만나" [공식입장] [Honey Lee's side "During dating a non-celebrity, we met through an acquaintance earlier this year" [Official position]] (in Korean).MyDaily.Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. RetrievedNovember 8, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Ahn Tae-hyun (December 21, 2021).이하늬, 오늘 깜짝 결혼..."비연예인 연인과 혼인서약식" [공식] [Honey Lee, surprise wedding today... "The wedding vow ceremony with a non-celebrity lover" [Official]] (in Korean). News1.Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. RetrievedDecember 21, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Yoon Sung-cheol (December 21, 2021).깜짝 결혼' 이하늬 "남편 사업가 아닌 직장인" 정정 요청 [스타이슈] ['Surprising Marriage' Lee Ha-nui, "My husband is an office worker, not a businessman" request for correction [Star Issue]] (in Korean).Star News.Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. RetrievedDecember 21, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Yoon Sung-cheol (January 16, 2022).결혼' 이하늬 측 "임신 4개월차..6월 출산 예정" [전문] [Marriage' Lee Ha-nui's side "Fourth month pregnant.. Expected to give birth in June" [Full text]] (in Korean).Star News.Archived from the original on January 16, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 16, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Kim, Jun-seok (August 25, 2025)."'만삭 투혼' 이하늬, 24일 둘째 득녀…"산모와 아이 모두 건강"" [Lee Ha-nui, who fought hard during pregnancy, gave birth to her second daughter on the 24th… "Both mother and baby are healthy."] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. RetrievedAugust 26, 2025 – viaNaver.
^Cho Sung-kyung (April 24, 2021).류준열X김우빈X김태리 '외계+인' 크랭크업 "행복했다" [Ryu Jun-yeol X Kim Woo-bin X Kim Tae-ri 'Alien + Human' crank-up "I was happy"] (in Korean).Sports Seoul.Archived from the original on April 10, 2022. RetrievedApril 12, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Jang Ah-reum (January 7, 2021).독전' 감독 차기작 '유령'...설경구·이하늬·박소담·김동희 등 확정 ['Dokjeon' director's next work'Ghost'... Seol Gyeong-gu, Lee Ha-ni, Park So-dam, Kim Dong-hee, etc. confirmed].News 1.Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. RetrievedJanuary 7, 2021.
^Jeon Hyong-hwa (February 24, 2023).[단독] 이선균·이하늬·공명 '킬링로맨스' 4월 韓영화 개봉 지원작 선정 [[Exclusive] Lee Sun-kyun, Lee Ha-nui, Gong Myung 'Killing Romance' Selected as Support for Korean Film Release in April] (in Korean).Ilgan Sports.Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 24, 2023.
^Kim Na-yeon (July 22, 2022).'외계+인' 1부, 이하늬부터 전여빈까지..신스틸러 라인업 '초호화' ['Alien + Human' Part 1, from Honey Lee to Jeon Yeo-bin..New Stealer Lineup 'Super Luxury'] (in Korean).Star News.Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. RetrievedJuly 22, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Ha-neul (October 26, 2023).류준열·김태리·김우빈 '외계+인' 2부, 2024년 1월 개봉 확정 [Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, Kim Woo-bin's 'Alien + Human' Part 2, confirmed to be released in January 2024] (in Korean). Ten Asia.Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. RetrievedOctober 26, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Yeon Hwi-seon (December 12, 2024)."하정우 감독 '윗집 사람들', 공효진X김동욱X이하늬 절침 드림팀 짰다 [종합](공식)" [Director Ha Jung-woo's 'The People Upstairs' Forms a Dream Team of Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Dong-wook, and Lee Ha-nui [Comprehensive] (Official)].OSEN (in Korean). Naver. RetrievedAugust 18, 2025.
^Jeong Hee-yeon (June 17, 2021).이하늬, SBS 드라마 '원 더 우먼' 출연 확정 [공식] [Lee Ha-nui confirmed to appear in SBS drama 'One the Woman [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Donga.Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. RetrievedJune 17, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Yoo Jung-min (February 21, 2023).이하늬, '밤에 피는 꽃' 출연 확정...15년 차 복면과부 조여화役 [Lee Ha-nui Confirmed to Appear in 'Flower That Blooms at Night'... Jo Yeo-hwa as the 15-year-old Masked Widow] (in Korean).iMBC.Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 21, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Kim, Hyun-rok (September 11, 2023).80년대 '애마부인' 탄생기...이하늬→진선규 '애마' 제작 확정[공식] [The birth of 'Aama' in the 80s...Lee Hanee → Jin Sun-kyu 'Aama' production confirmed [Official]] (in Korean). SpoTV News.Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 11, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Kim Jae-won (August 31, 2022)."2022 에이판 스타 어워즈, 각 부문 후보자(작) 공개" [2022 APAN Star Awards, nominees (works) in each category revealed] (in Korean). Sports World.Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. RetrievedAugust 31, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Cho, Yeon-gyeong (April 5, 2019).55회 백상예술대상 영화부문 최종 후보 공개.Is Plus (in Korean).Naver.Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. RetrievedApril 5, 2019.
^Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024).60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean).JTBC.Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. RetrievedApril 23, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (May 7, 2024).'무빙'→'서울의 봄' 대상..'파묘'는 4관왕 [제60회 백상예술대상][종합] ['Moving' → 'Seoul Spring' Grand Prize..'Buried Grave' wins 4 awards [60th Baeksang Arts Awards] [Comprehensive]] (in Korean).Star News.Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. RetrievedMay 7, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Yang, Yong-eun (August 14, 2023).'유령' 이하늬, 올해의 '벡델리안 2023' 배우 부문 선정 ['Phantom' Lee Ha-nui, selected as 'Beckdelian 2023' actor of the year].스트레이트뉴스 (in Korean). RetrievedSeptember 6, 2024.
^[현장] 하정우·이하늬부터 안성재까지...'엘르 스타일 어워즈' 빛낸 아이콘들 [[On-site] From Ha Jung-woo and Lee Ha-nui to Ahn Sung-jae... Icons who shined at the 'Elle Style Awards'] (in Korean).JTBC. October 17, 2024. RetrievedOctober 17, 2024.
^황금촬영상 시상식.movie.naver (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 13, 2017. RetrievedMarch 11, 2021.
^Kim Hye-young (December 27, 2024)."'MBC 연기대상' 한석규→유연석 총출동! 영예의 대상 주인공은?" ['MBC Drama Awards' Han Seok-kyu → Yoo Yeon-seok all out! Who will be the winner of the honorable grand prize?].MBC Entertainment (in Korean).Naver. RetrievedJanuary 2, 2025.
^Ahn Byeong-gil (January 5, 2025).한석규 'MBC 연기대상' 대상 영예[종합] [Han Seok-kyu Wins Grand Prize at MBC Drama Awards [Comprehensive]].Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean).Naver.Archived from the original on January 5, 2025. RetrievedJanuary 5, 2025.
^Heo Ji-hyung (December 18, 2024).이제훈♥이동휘→유연석♥채수빈, 'MBC 연기대상' 베스트커플 후보 [Lee Je Hoon ♥ Lee Dong Hwi → Yoo Yeon Seok ♥ Chae Soo Bin, 'MBC Drama Awards' Best Couple Nominees].Star News (in Korean).Naver. RetrievedJanuary 2, 2025.
^Lee, Jung-yeon (August 1, 2023).이하늬, 뉴욕 아시안 영화제 최우수 연기상 [연예뉴스 HOT] [Lee Ha-nee, New York Asian Film Festival Best Actor Award [Entertainment News HOT]] (in Korean). Sports Donga.Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. RetrievedJuly 31, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Hwang Hye-jin (December 27, 2021).김소연 송혜교 이제훈 이하늬 4人 'SBS 연기대상' 대상 후보 확정(공식) [Kim So-yeon, Song Hye-kyo, Lee Je-hoon, Lee Ha-nui 4 people confirmed the grand prize nominations for the SBS Acting Awards (official)] (in Korean). Newsen.Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. RetrievedDecember 27, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Kim Chaeyeon (December 17, 2021)."홍천기-원더우먼→그해 우리는"...SBS, '2021 연기대상' 베스트 커플상 후보 공개 ["Chunki Hong - Wonder Woman → That year we were"... SBS unveils nominations for Best Couple Award at '2021 Acting Awards'].Top Star News (in Korean).Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. RetrievedDecember 17, 2021.
^Lee Seul-gi (December 22, 2024).장나라 대상 쾌거 "난 SBS서 결혼까지 했다, 남편 ♥정하철 사랑해"(종합)[SBS 연기대상] [Jang Na-ra's Grand Prize Achievement "I Got Married at SBS, I Love My Husband ♥ Jung Ha-cheol" (Comprehensive) [SBS Drama Awards]].Newsen (in Korean).Naver.Archived from the original on December 29, 2024. RetrievedDecember 29, 2024.
^"[2023 엔터산업전망③] 2023년에 주목해야 할 남녀배우 TOP5, 박은빈, 손석구 각각 1위 올라" [[2023 Entertainment industry outlook③] Top 5 male and female actors to pay attention to in 2023, Park Eun-bin and Son Seok-goo each ranked first.].Cine21 (in Korean). February 2, 2023.Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 3, 2024.
^Yang, Mi-sun (March 23, 2018).한국 연예계의 세대교체 [Generational change in Korean entertainment industry].JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 27, 2018. RetrievedMay 21, 2021 – via Joins.
^한국영화 배우 흥행 파워 TOP 배우 하정우 그러나 TOP 10위 안에 여성 배우는 실종...여성 주연 영화 부재가 원인 [Korean movie actor box office power TOP actor Ha Jung-woo but the female actor in the top 10 is missing... Due to the absence of female-starred films].RNX (in Korean). January 2, 2020.Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. RetrievedOctober 30, 2023.
.jpg)
