Esther Chae studied at Korea University, the University of Michigan, and the Yale School of Drama. She has a Master's degree in Theater Studies and another in Acting. Chae is also an inaugural TED Fellow and has presented her talks at numerous conferences.

Chae has also taught and lectured at NYU's Tisch Performance Studies, Yale School of Drama, USC, University of Baltimore, Maryland and Cal State San Marcos. She currently teaches Advanced Acting for TV and Film at Emerson College in Los Angeles, and is also a Visiting Professor at Yonsei University, in Korea. Through her career, she has appeared in TV shows like 24, Lost, and NCIS. She has also appeared in films like Sisters and Collateral. Aside from her work as an actress, Chae is also a consultant on Korean entertainment.