2002–2006: Beginnings Soon after she joined SM, Lee began her career by starring in
music videos for SM artists, such as boy band
TVXQ,
Moon Hee-jun,
Kangta,
Shinhwa, and
Fly to the Sky, overtaking SM artists Kim Bomi (of
M.I.L.K.) and Lee Jiyeon (commonly known as
CSJH The Grace's Lina) as "The SM music video girl". Though Lee had relatively steady work between modelling in magazines, commercial ads and appearing in music videos, she did not officially debut until November 2004 where she starred as the younger version of the main character in the hit historical drama
Emperor of the Sea, and appeared in the latter episodes of the daily drama
My Lovely Family. Lee had her first major role in television in MBC's mini-series
One Fine Day (2006).
2007–2012: Rising popularity & acting criticism In 2006, Lee starred in romance melodrama ''
A Millionaire's First Love alongside Hyun Bin. She also made her singing debut for the film, singing "Do-Re-Mi" from The Sound of Music and Insa'' for the film's original soundtrack. Lee's innocent image in the film earned her the title of "
Nation's First Love" in Korea. Lee followed this with moderately successful film,
M alongside
Kang Dong-won; and starred alongside
So Ji-sub in the
short film,
U-Turn. In 2008, she starred as one of the main cast in 47th
MBC Anniversary Project
East of Eden. Despite the drama's success, her acting in the series received overwhelming negative criticism about her vocalization, unexpressive facial expressions, and unnatural emotional expression as problems in portraying her character. Lee returned to film, starring in
Hello, Schoolgirl opposite
Yoo Ji-tae. The story is based on the manhwa
Soonjeong Manhwa by Kang Pool. In 2011, Lee starred opposite
Jang Dong-gun,
Joe Odagiri and
Fan Bing-bing in
Kang Je-gyu's big budget historical film
My Way, and in romance comedy series
Paradise Ranch by S.M. Entertainment alongside label-mate
Shim Chang-min of boy band TVXQ. In 2012, Lee reunited with
U-Turn co-star So Ji-sub in the crime thriller
Phantom. Both Lee and So were named promotional ambassadors for cyber crime prevention by the National Police Agency in 2012.
2013–present: Career resurgence and continued success In 2013, Lee made a special appearance in the historical drama
Gu Family Book, where she received compliments for her improvement in acting. She next starred in romantic comedy film
Marriage Blue, which tells the story of an engaged couple who experience last-minute jitters and cold feet just a week before their wedding ceremony. Lee closed the year with television series
Miss Korea to positive reviews, with many considering her role as her best performance to date. Lee further challenged herself with a provocative role as the mysterious and seductive Japanese geisha Hisako in the historical comedy
Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island in 2015. She then starred in
MBC's 54th anniversary drama,
Splendid Politics. In 2017, Lee starred in SBS's fantasy romance drama
Reunited Worlds alongside
Yeo Jin-goo. She then starred in
JYP Entertainment's travel romance drama
The Package opposite
Jung Yong-hwa, and was complimented for her performance as a tour guide. In 2020, Lee starred in mystery drama
The Game: Towards Zero, reuniting with
Ok Taec-yeon with whom she starred in the 2013 film
Marriage Blue. However she was criticized for her bad acting skills by viewers. In 2020, Lee signed a contract with Vast Entertainment after her contract with SM expired. In January 2024, Lee signed with new agency
Saram Entertainment after her contract with Vast Entertainment expired. ==Personal life==