Bae has been keeping her personal matters to herself. But there is some information about her love affairs and that is with Jim Sturgess. It is also said that they have not been married yet.
In 1998, when Bae was attending Hanyang University, she was discovered by the modeling agents and they pursued her to begin her modeling career. She then appeared in the COOLDOG's catalog as a model; however, within a year she changed her mind and she began acting. She made her acting debut in the TV series, School starring the role of Bae Doo-na. She also appeared in the TV series, Ad Madness. She also made her feature film debut in 1999. Her debut movie role was in the movie, The Ring Virus. She got her rise in fame after she appeared in the movie, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance starring the role of Cha Young-mi. Her net worth is said to be around $20 million dollars.