We all know Honey Lee as an amazing actress. She has played various roles in different Korean dramas such as Modern Farmer, The Fiery Priest, and Come Back Mister. She has also graced the silver screen with her iconic roles in Tazza: The Hidden Card and Extreme Jobs. We were always in awe with her beauty that some of us do not know that she used to be a beauty queen.

Yes, you read that right. Once upon a time, Honey Lee represented Korea in an international pageant and she was known to be the Korean standard for beauty queens ever since.

Honey Lee won in the Miss Korea pageant, and with that honor comes the responsibility of representing the Land of the Morning Calm in the Miss Universe 2007 pageant held in Mexico City. Back them, she was not considered as a favorite for the crown, and no one else believed in her. Prior to that, Korea last penetrated the semifinals in Miss Universe back in 1988, where Jang Yoon-jeong placed first runner-up to Miss Thailand.

Back then, Asians were not known to be the best beauty pageant contestants, so not everyone was expecting anything from Honey Lee. But then came the finals, and everyone is rooting for her. Suddenly, in their eyes, Miss Korea is a threat to their favorites.

She wore this stunning hanbok design to the National Costume Presentation in Mexico, and this is where pageant fans and the media took notice of her. For them, she is not your average Miss Korea. She has class, the star quality, and of course, that radiating beauty enough to captivate the judges.

During the taped National Costume segment, she wore yet another hanbok design, but this one is much more regal and elegant. Hearing her say, "Honey Lee, 22, Korea!" is when the magic started.

She breezed in through the swimsuit and evening gown rounds, with her gown being one of the most iconic Korean gowns worn on stage. She walked elegantly and showed the judges what her fire tastes like.

Eventually, she placed third runner-up, Korea's strongest finish in the pageant that has never been replicated since then. Most Koreans see Honey Lee as the Miss Universe they never had, and until now, the Korean representatives to the international pageants often get compared to this successful young woman.

Honey Lee came back to Korea an instant celebrity, and since then, she has been known to be a versatile actress who can carry every role with justice and elegance.