Lee made her debut as a model in 1991. After appearing in television commercials, she debuted as an actress in the 1993 dramaHow's Your Husband?, which won her Best New Actress at theSBS Drama Awards.
In 2000, she starred in the mystery thriller filmJoint Security Area, which became the highest-grossing Korean film at that time. She followed this with melodramaLast Present, where she received acclaim for her performance as a young woman facing the realities of an early death.[4] Lee reunited with directorHur Jin-ho to star in his next filmOne Fine Spring Day, which won her Best Actress at theBusan Film Critics Awards. She also starred in the TV seriesFireworks, which introduced Lee to Taiwan audiences.[5]
Lee came to prominence in South Korea after starring in the historical dramaJewel in the Palace. It first aired from September 15, 2003, to March 23, 2004, onMBC, where it was the top program with an average viewership rating of 46.3% and a peak of 57.8%, making it the 10th highest rated Korean drama of all time.[6] Lee won the Daesang (Grand Prize) award at theMBC Drama Awards, as well as theBaeksang Arts Award for Best Actress in Television nomination.[7][8] The show was then aired overseas in 91 countries and became exceptionally popular in Asia.[9][10]
The fame ofJewel in the Palace launched Lee into pan-Asia stardom as one of the biggestHallyu stars.[11][12] She has been invited to visit mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Japan.[13][14]
Lee on boat ride at theQiandao Lake in China in March 2006.
In 2006, for the first time in 12 years,NHK had to use the NHK Hall to host the NHK show due to her popularity; stamps featuring Lee were released in Japan.[15]
In 2006, Lee was invited sit on the jury bench of the56th Berlin International Film Festival, becoming the first Korean actress to be selected as a jury member of the international film festival.[20]
In 2007, she received the Medal of Culture Merit for her contribution to theKorean Wave from the South Korean government.[21]
In 2015, it was announced that Lee would be making her comeback to television inSBS historical seriesSaimdang, Memoir of Colors. She would be playing dual roles asShin Saimdang, a famed Joseon-era artist and calligrapher as well as a modern-day Korean history lecturer.[22] The drama premiered in January 2017.[23]
In 2023, she came back to the small screen with the leading role inMaestra: Strings of Truth, playing Cha Se-Eum, a world-renowned orchestra conductor who keeps a big, dangerous secret.[26]
Besides her acting career, Lee has been involved with several charities. In 1997, she went to Ethiopia as aNGO Goodwill Ambassador. She went to Thar Desert in 1999 to do aTV show about people in India'slowest social caste. Later in 2001, she described these experiences in her autobiography "A Most Special Love"[27] with partial English and donated the income from the sale of the book to charity.
She was appointed a goodwill ambassador in 2004 byUNICEF and has since held several charity posts. She has made many donations to schools and hospitals, including Chosun First Middle School in Harbin[28] and an elementary school in China that was later renamed Lee Young-Ae Elementary School.[29] In 2012, she served as the celebrity spokesperson for the "Love Donation" project, hosted by the magazine Woman Chosun. She made a donation to build a school in Myanmar.[30][31]
In 2012, Lee launched a business for organic and eco-friendly products for children in Seoul.[32]
In July 2014, Taiwanese media reported that Lee had privately assisted a pregnant Taiwanese woman vacationing with her husband in Seoul. The woman gave birth to a girl prematurely and the infant had several complications. Lee found out about the couple through her friend and decided to pay their medical bills of NT$4 million (US$134,000) because the infant required two surgeries and constant medical care after she was born.[33] Lee was subsequently given an award by Taiwan's Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation.[34] In 2016, she helped a Vietnamese girl who went to Korea to treat her brain tumor by donating 37 million won for the operation and other medical bills.[35]
In Sri Lanka, she is known as "Changumi" (Sinhala:චංගුමී), and her popularity there led to the creation of the Sujatha Diyani Scholarship Fund in 2014, when she donated US$100,000. The fund aims at providing financial assistance to female students from low-income families.[36] Lee also became the first actress to join the "Chime for Change" campaign ofGucci to "raise funds and awareness for projects promoting education, health, and justice for girls and women" around the world.[37]
In 2015, Lee was appointed special envoy by the UNESCO Korean Commission.[38] She promotes the commission's activities such as fundraising and a campaign to render educational support to underdeveloped countries.[39]
Lee in September 2022
In March 2022, Lee donated 100 million won to Ukraine, which was damaged by theRussian invasion, along with a letter of consolation to the people of Ukraine.[40]
On May 1, 2022, Lee donated 100 million won to the Sowon Foundation Office in Yangpyeong City Gyeonggi-do Province to assist patients who have difficulty getting out of the house due to childhood cancer or rare diseases.[41]
On August 19, 2022, Lee donated ₩100 million to help those affected by the2022 South Korean floods through the Korea Foundation for the Disabled.[42]
On November 3, 2022, Lee made a donation to help the victims of theSeoul Halloween crowd crush through donations to Korea Welfare Foundation for the Disabled.[43]
On January 22, 2023, Lee donated 50 million won to residents affected by the fire in Guryong Village, Gangnam District, Seoul.[44]
In September 2023, Lee donated 50 million won to Syngman Rhee, President of the Founder's Memorial Association to build a memorial to former presidentSyngman Rhee.[45]
In November 2023, Lee donated ₩50 million to aid humanitarian efforts for children hurt in theGaza war, theKorean Red Cross announced on 21.[46]
In 1991, Lee made her debut as a rookie model, became known through a TV commercial for Pacific Chemical's (nowAmore Pacific) cosmetics brandMamonde. Her urban image with her raised hair and trench coat collar left a strong impression on viewers, and Lee Young-ae, who was studying "German Language and Literature" atHanyang University at that moment, rose to stardom with the monikerOxygen Lady, which was the catchphrase of the commercial. At that time,Mamonde became the most successful brand in the history ofPacific Chemical. The productTropic Orange Makeup, which was released in March 1994, achieved a record of selling 1.5 million units in two months. Due to the popularity of Mamonde and Lee Young-ae, competitors also poured out advertisements with a similar concept in 1997. She had been the face ofMamonde for 10 years.[47]
Since 2007, Lee became the global ambassador ofLG Household & Health Care's super-premium beauty brandThe History of Whoo until now.[48][49]
In February 2014, Lee became the cover face of the February issue ofMarie Claire Korea magazine to promote the "Trinity", "Paris Nouvelle Vague", "Destinée" and "Caresse d'Orchidées de Cartier" collection of French luxury jewellery brandCartier.[50] In January 2017, Lee became the cover face of the February issue ofElle Korea magazine to promote the Spring - Summer 2017 collection of Italian luxury fashion houseValentino.[51][52] In January 2021, she was the cover face of the February issue ofMarie Claire Korea to represent the Spring - Summer 2021 collection of Spanish-French luxury fashion houseBalenciaga.[53] She appeared on the cover ofNoblesse Magazine June 2021 Issue to present theVan Cleef & Arpels's "Palmyre", "Treasure of Rubies", "the Snowflake", "Arche de Noé", "Pierres de Caractères" and "Les Ateliers Créations" high jewelry collection and the bag line for French luxury leather goods brandFauré Le Page.[54][55] In September 2021, she appeared on the cover ofDazed Korea Fall 2021 Edition Issue to present the Aria Fall/Winter 2021 collection and the Diana bag line for Italian luxury brandGucci.[56][57] She also appeared inVogue Korea's December 2023 issue to represent theFred Joaillier's The High Jewelry collections "Monsieur Fred Inner Light".[58] In theArena Homme + Korea April 2024 issue, for which she was the cover star, Lee represented theBottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2024 ready-to-wear collection.[59] In June 2024, she appeared on the cover ofW Korea's July issue of W Edition supplement book to represent the High Jewelry "Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds" Collection of French luxury houseLouis Vuitton.[60] In July 2024, Lee appeared on the cover of the August issue ofHarper's Bazaar Korea to promote the Pre-Fall 2024 Collection by American luxury fashion brandRalph Lauren.[61] In February 2025, Lee appeared on the cover of the March issue ofVOGUE Korea to promote the Spring Summer 2025 Collection by Italian luxury fashion brandGucci.[62]
In July 2022, she was selected as the model for the new product "Lifening Beauty Collagen Ampoule" of the inner beauty brandLifening.[64] In May 2023, Lee was announced to become exclusive brand model for South Korean skin care medical device company Jeisys Medical, which she would be represented for its high-frequency medical deviceDensity.[65][66] In July 2024, Integration Corp selected Lee as brand model for its Korean medicine brandThe Soo.[67]
In 2009, Lee married Jeong Ho-young, a Korean-American businessman 20 years her senior.[68] On February 20, 2011, she gave birth tofraternal twins, a boy and a girl.[69]
^ab'2003 MBC 연기대상'에 이영애 [Lee Young-ae at the '2003 MBC Drama Awards'].Newsis. December 31, 2004.Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2025 – viaNaver.
^ab제40회 백상 예술대상 26일 화려한 개막 [The 40th Baeksang Arts Awards Grand Opening on the 26th].Daum. March 10, 2004.Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2025.
^Kang, Min-kyung (September 23, 2022).[공식] 이영애·김상경, 제27회 BIFF '올해의 배우상' 심사위원 [[Official] Lee Young-ae and Kim Sang-kyung, judges of the 27th BIFF 'Actor of the Year Award'].Ten Asia (in Korean).Naver.Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. RetrievedSeptember 23, 2022.
^Jeong, Hye-jeong (March 1, 2022).이영애, 우크라에 1억 기부 "참전용사 가족으로 잔혹함 안다" [Lee Young-ae, donated 100 million won to Ukraine "I know the cruelty of a war veteran's family"].JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. RetrievedMarch 1, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Park, Ah-reum (May 2, 2022).기부가 일상" 이영애, 소아암 환우 위해 1억 또 기부 [Donation is daily life" Lee Young-ae, another 100 million donation for children with cancer] (in Korean). Newsen.Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. RetrievedMay 2, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Jo, Yeon-kyung (August 19, 2022).이영애, 집중호우 피해 장애인 가족 위해 5000만원 기부 [Lee Young-ae donates 50 million won to the families of the disabled affected by the torrential rain] (in Korean).JTBC.Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. RetrievedAugust 19, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Park, Pan-seok (November 3, 2022).선행의 아이콘 이영애, 이태원 참사 러시아 유족 위해 기부 약속 지켰다 [Icon of good deeds, Lee Young-ae, kept her promise to donate to the Russian bereaved of the Itaewon disaster] (in Korean).Osen.Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. RetrievedNovember 3, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Woo, Da-bin (January 23, 2023).이영애, 구룡마을 화재 이재민 위해 5천만 원 기부 [Lee Young-ae donates 50 million won for Guryong village fire victims] (in Korean).Hankook Ilbo.Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. RetrievedJanuary 27, 2023 – viaNaver.
^후의 상징 현대의 진정한 왕후 이영애 [The icon of the future, the true queen of modern times, Lee Young-ae].The History of Whoo.Archived from the original on September 10, 2022. RetrievedSeptember 10, 2022.
^이영애가 진짜 바라는 것 [What Youngae Lee really wants].Elle Korea (in Korean). January 28, 2017.Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. RetrievedMarch 21, 2024.
^하나의 예술 작품을 완성한 배우 이영애와 포레르빠쥬 [Actress Lee Young-ae and Fauré Le Page completed a work of art.].Noblesse Magazine (in Korean). June 2, 2021.Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. RetrievedMarch 21, 2024.
^꽃과 함께 한 폭의 그림이 된 배우 이영애 [Actress Lee Young-ae, who became a picture with flowers].Noblesse Magazine (in Korean). May 25, 2021.Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. RetrievedMarch 21, 2024.
^<데이즈드> 코리아 폴 에디션 커버 [The cover for The 2021 Fall Edition Issue of DAZED KOREA.].Dazed Korea (in Korean). September 2, 2021.Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. RetrievedMarch 21, 2024.
^구찌 이영애 데이즈드 폴에디션 '파격' 커버 ... DAZED & CONFUSED ~ [Gucci Lee Young-ae Dazed Fall Edition 'Unconventional' cover... DAZED & CONFUSED ~].Korea DutyFreeNews (in Korean). September 2, 2021.Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. RetrievedMarch 21, 2024.
^독보적인, 이영애의 빛 [The unrivaled light of Lee Young-ae].Vogue Korea (in Korean). November 21, 2023.Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. RetrievedMarch 21, 2024.
^<아레나> 4월호 커버를 장식한 배우 이영애 [Actress Lee Young-ae graces the cover of the April issue of <Arena>].Arena Homme + Korea (in Korean). March 19, 2024.Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. RetrievedMarch 21, 2024.
^이영애와 루이비통의 랑데부 [Lee Young-ae and Louis Vuitton's Rendezvous].W Korea (in Korean). June 26, 2024.Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. RetrievedDecember 1, 2024.지중해의 찬란한 햇볕 아래 루이 비통의 새로운 하이 주얼리, '어웨이큰 핸즈, 어웨이큰 마인즈(Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds)'와 모험을 떠났다. 온전히 자유로운, 독보적인 아름다움으로 빛나는 그녀와의 랑데부. [Embark on an adventure under the splendid Mediterranean sun with Louis Vuitton's new High Jewelry, 'Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds'. A rendezvous with her, radiant with unrivaled beauty and complete freedom.]
^엄마, 아내 그리고 배우 이영애의 다채로운 얼굴 [The Colorful Faces of Mother, Wife, and Actress Lee Young-ae].Harper's Bazaar Korea (in Korean). July 16, 2024.Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. RetrievedDecember 1, 2024.아직 공개되지 않은 화보 속에서도 랄프 로렌 컬렉션의 2024 프리폴 시즌 룩을 다채롭게 소화하며 아이콘다운 면모를 마음껏 드러냈다. [Even in the pictorial that has not been released yet, she fully displayed her iconic appearance by colorfully digesting Ralph Lauren Collection's 2024 pre-fall season looks.]
^이영애, “과거의 명성에 기대고 싶지 않아요” [Lee Young-ae: "I don't want to rely on my past fame."].VOGUE Korea (in Korean). February 17, 2025.Archived from the original on October 7, 2025. RetrievedOctober 7, 2025.
^페라가모 픽, 이영애 [Ferragamo Pick, Lee Youngae].W Korea. April 21, 2020.Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. RetrievedMarch 24, 2024.
^제이시스메디칼, 브랜드 전속 모델로 배우 이영애 선정 [Jeisys Medical Selects Actress Lee Young-ae as Brand Exclusive Model].Jeisys Medical (in Korean). May 9, 2023.Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. RetrievedDecember 1, 2024.
^제이시스메디칼, 전속모델 이영애와 함께한 '덴서티' 신규 CF 온에어 [Jeisys Medical, new 'Density' CF with exclusive model Lee Young-ae on air].Donga Economy (in Korean). July 1, 2024.Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. RetrievedDecember 1, 2024.
^한의 브랜드 '수(壽)', 공식 모델 '이영애' 발탁..'시대를 초월한 명약' 캠페인 공개 [Korean medicine brand 'Soo' selects 'Lee Young-ae' as official model... 'Timeless medicine' campaign revealed].Daily Pop (in Korean). July 3, 2024.Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. RetrievedDecember 1, 2024.
^Kang, Seo-jung (July 24, 2018).[단독] 이영애, '내아이디는강남미인' 카메오 깜짝출연..'데뷔 후 처음' [[Exclusive] Lee Young-ae, 'My ID is Gangnam Man' Cameo Surprise Appearance..'For the first time since debut'] (in Korean).Osen.Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. RetrievedJuly 25, 2018 – viaNaver.
^Jang, Woo-young (April 8, 2021).이영애, '모범택시' 목소리 특별 출연...복수대행 시발점 [Lee Young-ae makes a special appearance as the voice of 'Model Taxi'...The Beginning of Revenge Agency] (in Korean).Osen.Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. RetrievedApril 8, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Kim, Myung-mi (February 16, 2023).'모범택시2' 이영애, 시즌2에서도 목소리 특별 출연[공식] ['Model Taxi 2' Lee Young-ae to make a special appearance as a voice in Season 2 [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen.Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 16, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Kim, Na-young (May 20, 2021).이영애 복귀작 '구경이'·레드벨벳 조이 '한 사람만', JTBC 편성 확정 (공식) [Lee Young-ae's comeback film 'Spectacular' and Red Velvet Joy's 'Only One Person' confirmed for JTBC (Official)] (in Korean). MK Sports.Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. RetrievedMay 20, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Kim, Yu-jin (November 21, 2022).이영애, '마에스트라' 출연 확정...오케스트라 여성 지휘자 변신 [공식입장] [Lee Young-ae confirmed to appear in 'Maestra'...Orchestra female conductor transformation [official position]] (in Korean).Xports News.Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. RetrievedNovember 21, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Yeon, Hwi-seon (May 6, 2022).이영애, EBS 아동인권 다큐 내레이션...출연료 전액 기부 [공식] [Lee Young-ae, EBS children's human rights documentary narration... Fully donated of the performance fee [Official]] (in Korean).Osen.Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. RetrievedMay 6, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Park, Mi-ra (December 12, 2005).춘사영화제 카운트다운 [Chunsa Film Festival Countdown].Jemin Ilbo.Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2025.
^[포토]'3관왕' 이준기 "이영애와 같은 상, 너무 영광" [[Photo] Lee Jun-ki, who won three awards, said, "It's such an honor to receive the same award as Lee Young-ae."].StarNews Korea. July 21, 2006.Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. RetrievedMarch 21, 2024.
^이병헌-이영애, '백상예술대상' 최우수연기상 [Lee Byung-hun and Lee Young-ae, 'Baeksang Arts Awards' Best Actor Award].BreakNews Korea. April 14, 2006.Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. RetrievedMarch 21, 2024.
^[연예수첩] 장동건·이영애 한류문화대상 [[Entertainment Notebook] Jang Dong-gun and Lee Young-ae Hallyu Culture Awards].KBS News. September 17, 2007.Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2025.
^Kim, Hyun-rok (August 27, 2020).정유미vs이영애vs김희애vs전도연vs이주영...부일영화상 후보발표 [Jung Yu-mi vs. Lee Young-ae vs. Kim Hee-ae vs. Jeon Do-yeon vs. Lee Joo-young... Buil Film Awards nominations announced].SPOTV NEWS (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. RetrievedMarch 21, 2024.
^Lim So-yeon; Kim So-mi; Bae Dong-mi (December 24, 2021).<씨네21>이 선정한 올해의 시리즈를 빛낸 감독, 배우, 스탭은? [Who are the directors, actors, and staff who shined in this year's series selected by <Cine21>?] (in Korean).Cine21.Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. RetrievedDecember 24, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Jeon, Hyung-hwa (August 19, 2022).구경이' 이영애, 시리즈 부문 벡델리안 선정..'옷소매..' 백델초이스5 [Gukyungi' Lee Young-ae, selected as Bechdelian in the series category..'Clothes..' Baekdel's Choice 5] (in Korean). MT Star News.Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. RetrievedAugust 19, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Park, Seung-hyun (September 19, 2022).오겜' 이정재, 국회서 국가브랜드 대상 받는다 ['Ogem' Lee Jung-jae receives the national brand grand prize at the National Assembly] (in Korean). AtStyle.Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. RetrievedSeptember 19, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Woo Da-bin (December 26, 2025)."이영애·엄지원·안재욱, KBS 연기대상 대상 두고 격돌" [Lee Young-ae, Uhm Ji-won, and Ahn Jae-wook clash for the KBS Drama Awards Grand Prize.] (in Korean). Hankook Ilbo.Archived from the original on January 1, 2026. RetrievedJanuary 1, 2026.
^Park Ha-na (December 31, 2025)."안재욱·엄지원, 'KBS 연기대상' 영예…11관왕 '독수리 오형제'(종합)" [Ahn Jae-wook and Uhm Ji-won honored at KBS Drama Awards... "Five Eagle Brothers" wins 11 awards (Comprehensive)].News 1 (in Korean). Naver.Archived from the original on January 1, 2026. RetrievedDecember 31, 2025.
^"2025 KBS 연기대상 인기상 투표" [2025 KBS Drama Awards Popularity Award Voting] (in Korean). KBS.Archived from the original on January 1, 2026. RetrievedJanuary 1, 2026.
