Lee Ha-nui (born March 2, 1983), 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.Lee is the middle child of two daughters and one son. Her father was a high-ranking official with the National Intelligence Service.
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.
