However, after a mediocre season, he was loaned out to fellow La Liga side Numancia, and ultimately returned to South Korea.

[8] He had difficulty concentrating on football due to his case of fraud, and Feyenoord officially announced Lee's loan to South Korean team Suwon Samsung Bluewings on a one-year deal in July 2008.

After leaving Omiya Ardija, Lee did not join any foreign professional club for a year, and hoped to play in South Korea.

His retirement ceremony was held at half time of a World Cup qualifier between South Korea and Lebanon in March 2016.

[15] In the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in his country, Lee was a substitute of the South Korean national team, but showed good dribbles and defense when appearing.

In this game, however, he was criticised for displaying a greediness for goal with little regard for teamwork, although he made a memorable shot saved by Oliver Kahn.

In June 2014, he starred in an SNL Korea episode, when he played a parody of the game Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 called "GTA Winner Eleven 2014" alongside Kim Min-kyo.

[18] In December 2015, he appeared on the King of Mask Singer in Episode 38 as (with the stage name "Know Thyself Socrates") show and displayed his singing skills.