Honey Lee
Encyclopedia
Lee Ha-nui better known as Honey Lee in the Western media, is a South Korean beauty pageant titleholder, classical musician, gayageum
player, and actress. She represented her country at the Miss Universe 2007
pageant in Mexico City.
.
Her mother is a Ph.D in Korean Music History and is a professor at Ewha Womans University
, has exclusive performances, leads a Gayagum Concert group, and was designated the title of Human Cultural Asset No. 23 in Korea due to her superb musical skills. She is also a music director of Gimhae City Gayageum Orchestra, trustee of the Yegahoe Corporation, and visiting scholar at New York University in 2008 to 2009.
Lee's older sister also graduated with a degree in Korean traditional music from Seoul National University. She has released three albums since 2005 ― "The Song of String," "In the Green Cafe?" and "Blossom." She is a member of the KBS Orchestra of Traditional Korean Music and has received the President's Award from Korea's National Classical Music Institute. Currently a doctoral student in Korean classical music at Seoul National University, she has performed at such venues as Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, KBS Hall, the University of California, Los Angeles and Carnegie Hall.
Lee, like her mother and older sister, is also a professional gayageum player, and was named a gayageum prodigy by the Kumho Art Center, the most prestigious musical foundation in Korea. She has released 4 CDs and played in more than 25 countries worldwide, including concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She has been involved in volunteer work for UNICEF, Compassion, World Vision and is the Goodwill Ambassador for Beautiful Mind Charity and Korea Green Foundation. She also holds a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo, is a scuba diver, and a competitive skier.
, with high honors, after taking up Korean traditional music. She received her masters degree from the same university.
, reminiscent of the style of the recent 2006 KBS drama Hwang Jin-i. She was also carrying a janggu
with her when she wore her costume. Her question in the Question and Answer portion was asked by James Kyson Lee, who is also Korean. Favored by numerous pageant sites as a finalist and potential to become Korea's Miss Universe. Lee missed out on the title when her interpreter did a poor job of translating her final question. Many believe the meaning of Honey’s answer was indeed grammatically changed from a humanitarian to a gold digger as stated having a fat endless wallet. She finished in the top 5 as 3rd runner-up. She ended Korea's nineteen-year drought in the Miss Universe Finals as a Finalist. The last Miss Korea to be a finalist in Miss Universe
was Jang Yun-jeong, winning 1st runner-up in 1988.
Being the huge favorite of countless people during her competition at the Miss Universe Pageant in 2007, Honey Lee became the 10th Miss Grand Slam of the year from the notable website called Global Beauties. She was quoted as the winner of all rounds.
Through an evaluation of 100 top contestants who participated in the world’s five leading beauty pageants — Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Earth, and Miss Tourism Queen International, she was selected by Global Beauties as the Miss Grand Slam 2007 and garnered the following awards: Face of the Universe, Best in Evening Gown, Best in National Costume and Best in Interview.
Korea and DAKS and Vogue.
In addition to her numerous projects, Lee is the new face of two of the world's famous brands. With a largely lucrative contract, Lee's tresses are now famously synonymous with Loreal’s newest hair products and is the new face of skin care brand Neutrogena Deep Clean products. She has been advertising for a series of SK Telecom
's campaign for CF and prints. CT&T entrusted her as public affairs person. In April 2009, Honey Lee and famous actor Lee Min Ho
of Boys Over Flowers
were chosen by Pepsi
to model for their new zero-calorie soda drink called Pepsi Nex.
On August 3, 2008, she made her musical debut in the musical Polaroid alongside Shinhwa
member Andy Lee. Honey Lee garnered a lot of attention as she starred in the law drama series "The Partner", which aired on KBS 2TV, as a femme fatale attorney, which is a bit of a departure from her pretty, smiley image. She also made her second stage lead role as Elle Woods in the Korean production of Legally Blonde: the Musical, alternating with Jessica Jung from the popular Korean girl group Girls' Generation
and veteran musical actress Kim Ji-woo. The production opened on November 14, 2009 at Seoul Samsung-dong CoEX Atrium, marking the country's first production of the show. In January 2010, she played in MBC TV drama Pasta
as celebrity chef Oh Sae-young.
She is close friends with famous actress Kim Tae Hee
and called herself "Kim Tae Hee's Bodyguard" when they were studying in the prestigious Seoul National University
Gayageum
The gayageum or kayagum is a traditional Korean zither-like string instrument, with 12 strings, although more recently variants have been constructed with 21 or other numbers of strings. It is probably the best known traditional Korean musical instrument...
player, and actress. She represented her country at the Miss Universe 2007
Miss Universe 2007
Miss Universe 2007, the 56th Miss Universe pageant, took place on May 28, 2007 at the National Auditorium in Mexico City, Mexico. 77 delegates competed for the title. Riyo Mori of Japan was crowned the winner of the title by Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico....
pageant in Mexico City.
Background
Lee is the middle child of two daughters and one son. Her father was a high-ranking official with the National Intelligence ServiceNational Intelligence Service (South Korea)
The National Intelligence Service is the chief intelligence agency of South Korea. The agency was officially established in 1961 as the Korea Central Intelligence Agency , during the rule of President Park Chung-hee's military Supreme Council for National Reconstruction, which displaced the...
.
Her mother is a Ph.D in Korean Music History and is a professor at Ewha Womans University
Ewha Womans University
Ewha Womans University is a private women's university in central Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the city's largest institutions of higher learning and currently the world's largest female educational institute. It is one of the best-known universities in South Korea, and often considered to...
, has exclusive performances, leads a Gayagum Concert group, and was designated the title of Human Cultural Asset No. 23 in Korea due to her superb musical skills. She is also a music director of Gimhae City Gayageum Orchestra, trustee of the Yegahoe Corporation, and visiting scholar at New York University in 2008 to 2009.
Lee's older sister also graduated with a degree in Korean traditional music from Seoul National University. She has released three albums since 2005 ― "The Song of String," "In the Green Cafe?" and "Blossom." She is a member of the KBS Orchestra of Traditional Korean Music and has received the President's Award from Korea's National Classical Music Institute. Currently a doctoral student in Korean classical music at Seoul National University, she has performed at such venues as Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, KBS Hall, the University of California, Los Angeles and Carnegie Hall.
Lee, like her mother and older sister, is also a professional gayageum player, and was named a gayageum prodigy by the Kumho Art Center, the most prestigious musical foundation in Korea. She has released 4 CDs and played in more than 25 countries worldwide, including concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She has been involved in volunteer work for UNICEF, Compassion, World Vision and is the Goodwill Ambassador for Beautiful Mind Charity and Korea Green Foundation. She also holds a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo, is a scuba diver, and a competitive skier.
Miss Korea 2006 and Educational Background
Lee competed in the 50th Miss Korea pageant as Miss Seoul, which she won. She got her bacholor's degree from the prestigious Seoul National UniversitySeoul National University
Seoul National University , colloquially known in Korean as Seoul-dae , is a national research university in Seoul, Korea, ranked 24th in the world in publications in an analysis of data from the Science Citation Index, 7th in Asia and 42nd in the world by the 2011 QS World University Rankings...
, with high honors, after taking up Korean traditional music. She received her masters degree from the same university.
Miss Universe 2007
Before the pageant finals, Lee was a frontrunner on many pageant sites, one of the early favorites among the 77 participants, impressing judges with her outstanding beauty and brains plus diverse talents. For the portion in which all the contestants enter clad in national costumes, Lee wore the female hanbokHanbok
Hanbok or Chosŏn-ot is the traditional Korean dress. It is often characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Although the term literally means "Korean clothing", hanbok today often refers specifically to hanbok of Joseon Dynasty and is worn as semi-formal or formal wear...
, reminiscent of the style of the recent 2006 KBS drama Hwang Jin-i. She was also carrying a janggu
Janggu
The janggu or sometimes called seyogo is the most widely used drum used in the traditional music of Korea. It is available in most kinds, and consists of an hourglass-shaped body with two heads made from animal skin...
with her when she wore her costume. Her question in the Question and Answer portion was asked by James Kyson Lee, who is also Korean. Favored by numerous pageant sites as a finalist and potential to become Korea's Miss Universe. Lee missed out on the title when her interpreter did a poor job of translating her final question. Many believe the meaning of Honey’s answer was indeed grammatically changed from a humanitarian to a gold digger as stated having a fat endless wallet. She finished in the top 5 as 3rd runner-up. She ended Korea's nineteen-year drought in the Miss Universe Finals as a Finalist. The last Miss Korea to be a finalist in Miss Universe
Miss Universe 1988
Miss Universe 1988, the 37th Miss Universe Pageant was held at Lin Kou Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan on May 24, 1988. Porntip Nakhirunkanok of Thailand was crowned the title of Miss Universe 1988. 66 contestants competed in the pageant...
was Jang Yun-jeong, winning 1st runner-up in 1988.
Being the huge favorite of countless people during her competition at the Miss Universe Pageant in 2007, Honey Lee became the 10th Miss Grand Slam of the year from the notable website called Global Beauties. She was quoted as the winner of all rounds.
Through an evaluation of 100 top contestants who participated in the world’s five leading beauty pageants — Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Earth, and Miss Tourism Queen International, she was selected by Global Beauties as the Miss Grand Slam 2007 and garnered the following awards: Face of the Universe, Best in Evening Gown, Best in National Costume and Best in Interview.
Post-Miss Universe
Lee Ha-nui co-hosted Real Time TV Entertainment, on the national TV network SBS, a 12-year-old show focusing on show business, beginning July 18. She is now an endorsed model for Tommy HilfigerTommy Hilfiger
Thomas Jacob "Tommy" Hilfiger is an American fashion designer and founder of the premium lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger.-Early life:...
Korea and DAKS and Vogue.
In addition to her numerous projects, Lee is the new face of two of the world's famous brands. With a largely lucrative contract, Lee's tresses are now famously synonymous with Loreal’s newest hair products and is the new face of skin care brand Neutrogena Deep Clean products. She has been advertising for a series of SK Telecom
SK Telecom
SK Telecom Co., Ltd. or Sunkyoung Telecom is a South Korean wireless telecommunications operator, controlled by the SK Group, one of the country's largest chaebol. As a part of SK Group, SK stands for Sun Kyung.SK Telecom is a provider of mobile service in Korea, with 50.5% of the market share as...
's campaign for CF and prints. CT&T entrusted her as public affairs person. In April 2009, Honey Lee and famous actor Lee Min Ho
Lee Min Ho
Lee Min Ho is a South Korean actor who is best known for his leading role in 2009 as 'Gu Jun Pyo', the leader of the group of students known as F4, in the South Korean television series Boys Over Flowers. He started his career in small drama roles in 2006, but he came to prominence with his acting...
of Boys Over Flowers
Boys Over Flowers (TV series)
Boys Over Flowers is a South Korean television drama series starring Ku Hye Sun, Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun Joong of SS501, Kim Bum, Kim Joon of T-Max and Kim So Eun. It premiered on January 5, 2009 on KBS2 and ended on March 31, 2009 after 25 episodes....
were chosen by Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
to model for their new zero-calorie soda drink called Pepsi Nex.
On August 3, 2008, she made her musical debut in the musical Polaroid alongside Shinhwa
Shinhwa
Shinhwa is a popular South Korean boy band and hip hop group. The group has six members , and debuted on March 24, 1998. It has enjoyed massive success alongside the likes of Sechs Kies, g.o.d., Turbo , Fin. K.L., H.O.T. and S.E.S...
member Andy Lee. Honey Lee garnered a lot of attention as she starred in the law drama series "The Partner", which aired on KBS 2TV, as a femme fatale attorney, which is a bit of a departure from her pretty, smiley image. She also made her second stage lead role as Elle Woods in the Korean production of Legally Blonde: the Musical, alternating with Jessica Jung from the popular Korean girl group Girls' Generation
Girls' Generation
Girls' Generation is a nine-member South Korean electropop girl group formed by S.M. Entertainment in 2007. The nine members are: Taeyeon , Jessica, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona and Seohyun...
and veteran musical actress Kim Ji-woo. The production opened on November 14, 2009 at Seoul Samsung-dong CoEX Atrium, marking the country's first production of the show. In January 2010, she played in MBC TV drama Pasta
Pasta (TV series)
Pasta is a South Korean TV series broadcast by MBC from January 2010 to March 2010.-Synopsis:Pasta covers the dreams and success of a young woman who aspires to become an elite chef at La Sfera restaurant....
as celebrity chef Oh Sae-young.
She is close friends with famous actress Kim Tae Hee
Kim Tae Hee
'Kim Tae-hee is a South Korean actress and model. She has appeared in several Korean Dramas such as My Princess, Iris and Stairway to Heaven.- Career :...
and called herself "Kim Tae Hee's Bodyguard" when they were studying in the prestigious Seoul National University
Seoul National University
Seoul National University , colloquially known in Korean as Seoul-dae , is a national research university in Seoul, Korea, ranked 24th in the world in publications in an analysis of data from the Science Citation Index, 7th in Asia and 42nd in the world by the 2011 QS World University Rankings...
TV series
- 2011: "Indomitable Daughters-in-Law"
- 2010: PastaPasta (TV series)Pasta is a South Korean TV series broadcast by MBC from January 2010 to March 2010.-Synopsis:Pasta covers the dreams and success of a young woman who aspires to become an elite chef at La Sfera restaurant....
(MBCMunhwa Broadcasting CorporationMunhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC (Hangul : 문화방송주식회사, Munhwa Bangsong Jushikoesa) is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television...
) - 2009: Partner (KBS 2TV)
Musical
- Legally BlondeLegally Blonde (musical)Legally Blonde is a musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach. The story is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to...
(korean) (November 14, 2009~March 31, 2010) - Polaroid (August 3~24,2008)