At that time Lee Ho-yeon, Daesung Entertainment's CEO, asked him to recommend a idol group member.

[1] In 2016, Kang Sung-hoon said that he had watched the audition tape and chosen Lee as a member for his superior dancing skill and good looks.

[citation needed] After three years of hiatus, he subsequently released his third album, entitled It's New with the hit song "Charge" in 2005.

[7][8] In 2013, Lee co-operated with his brother-in-law to open a new restaurant, School Food, in a YG Entertainment-owned building.

[19] In 2006, he worked in a game development company as a skilled industry personnel to fulfill his mandatory military service.

He was granted four days' leave on March 2, 2009; however, he later failed to report back, and cut off all contact with family and friends.

[22] On April 8, 2009, he was found by military police investigators in a Daegu motel, located in his parents' hometown.

After the trial, Lee was sent back to his unit and had to serve extra days to remedy for the period he went missing.