Lee Yeon Hee's journey in the entertainment industry began in 2001 when she won a prize at the 'SM Best Youth Contest' organized by SM Entertainment in Korea and was selected as a trainee of SM Entertainment. She spent her trainee days alongside Girls' Generation members, but ultimately decided to pursue a career in acting, which led her to take a different path from her fellow trainees.
At the age of 14, Lee Yeon Hee made her debut in the music video for singer Moon Hee Jun's first solo album, 'Alone', marking the beginning of her career. Her first acting role was in the 2004 drama 'Emperor of the Sea', where she played the younger version of the renowned actress Soo-ae. She then went on to play supporting roles in films such as 'What's with This Family' (2014) and 'Buhwal' (2005),before landing her first main role in the 2006 drama 'One Fine Day'.
Lee Yeon Hee's breakthrough role came in the same year with 'A Millionaire's First Love', where she was dubbed the "A Millionaire's First Love" due to her innocent appearance. This role established her as an actress with a unique screen presence. She continued to build her career by taking on diverse roles in films such as 'M' (2007),'Hello, Schoolgirl' (2008),and 'Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island' (2015).
In addition to her film work, Lee Yeon Hee has also been active on television, appearing in dramas such as 'East of Eden' (2008),'Ghost' (2012),'Miss Korea' (2013),'Splendid Politics' (2015),'Reunited Worlds' (2017),'The Package' (2017),'SF8' (2020),and more. She has received great support from fans throughout her career, thanks to her consistent appearances in various works every year.
In 2021, Lee Yeon Hee's exclusive contract with SM Entertainment came to an end, and she signed a new contract with VAST Entertainment. She devoted more time to acting after the move, and her hard work paid off when she played the dual roles of Cordelia and the clown in the theatrical production of 'King Lear', receiving positive reviews for her first theatrical performance.
Lee Yeon Hee continued to showcase her acting range in the drama 'Welcome to Wedding Hell' (2022),which tells the realistic story of newlyweds, and the Disney Plus Original series 'RACE' (2023),which explores the lives of publicists. With her broad acting spectrum and dedication to her craft, Lee Yeon Hee has established herself as a talented and versatile actress in the Korean entertainment industry.
