Lee studied German language and literature at Korea University. His first encounter with children’s literature was while lecturing at the Korea University Institute for Continuing Education. Since 2003, he has actively translated children’s literature. Lee began publishing his own children’s stories in 2010. His works include Black Noses, Warm Breath, and Angela the Angel. His Coda the Polar Bear series has been well received by international audiences in France, Spain, Israel, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam and China.