Former World number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei suffered an unexpected defeat to unknown South Korean Heo Kwang Hee in the Korean Open qualifying round at the HK Handball Stadium in Seoul, South Korea.

Chong Wei, currently ranked 28th in the world was shown the exit door by the host nation's rising star who is ranked 125th in the world in straight sets, 19-21, 19-21 in just 45 minutes.

The former world number one failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Japan Open last week after losing to his nemesis Lin Dan of China.

Meanwhile, former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkiffli got past the qualifying round and will meet Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia in the first round of the main draw tomorrow.

The professional player beat Sattawat Pongnairat of United States, 21-10, 21-8 in the first qualifying round before beating Kazumasa Sakai of Japan, 13-21, 21-8, 21-17 in the second qualifying round.