Many disliked Lee's work intensely, for he made no attempt to turn out pieces with any utilitarian value. Greenware that Lee had set out to dry in preparation for firing was occasionally even thrown away by disdainful kiln masters. Reactions to his first exhibition were very polarized, and one art critic lambasted Lee in the paper for "putting a bunch of junk on display."
當時，一些師父們，甚至將他放在戶外陰乾待燒的素胚丟掉。