Da-ae began rhythmic gymnastics in her third year of primary school after participating in an extracurricular activity.[2] In 2011 she competed in the World Championships in Montpellier as part of the Korean senior group along Choi Hyeon-hee, Kim Hye-jin, Lee Kyung-un and Seol Hee-moon. There they took 21st place in the All-Around.[3]
In 2013 she won team silver along Chun Song E, Gim Yun-hee and Son Yeon-Jae, at the Asian Championships in Tashkent.[4] In early September 2014 she took part in the World Cup in Kazan, being 37th overall.[5] She then participated in the 2014 World Championships in Izmir, finishing 95th with hoop, 89th with ball and 10th in teams.[6] Shortly later she won team silver with Gim Yun-hee, Lee Nakyung and Son Yeon-jae at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.[7][8]
In June 2015 she competed in the Asian Championships in Jecheon, winning silver in teams along Cheon Song-Yi and Son Yeon-Jae, also being 8th with ribbon.[9][10] At the Universiade in Gwangju, ending 14th overall and 8th with clubs.[11] In August she took 39th place in the All-Around, 35th with hoop, 35th with ball, 33rd with clubs and 42nd with ribbon at the World Cup in Budapest.[12] A month later she was selected for the World Championships in Stuttgart, 75th with clubs, 78th with ribbon and 12th in teams along Chun Song E and Son Yeon-jae.[13]
In 2016 Lee was ranked third in the internal competition to decide which gymnast would compete in the Olympic Games.[14] In May she took 10th place in the Asian Championships, weeks later she was 17th in the All-Around, 18th with hoop, 19th with ball, 16th with clubs and 18th with ribbon at the World Cup in Tashkent.[15][16] She retired shortly after sue to injury in her ankles, particularly a damaged left ankle ligament, that had been troubled her all her career.[2]
South Korea 
South Korea 