His other notable works include films Anarchist from Colony (2017), I Can Speak (2017), and Escape (2024), as well as television series Move to Heaven (2021) and Chief Detective 1958 (2024).

[16][17] He then starred in Ghost Sweepers,[18] dubbed the character Jack Frost for the Korean release of 3D animated film Rise of the Guardians,[19] and featured in the crime thriller An Ethics Lesson.

[20] For his comeback project after enlistment, Lee chose Secret Door, a period drama about Crown Prince Sado who was controversially executed through death by starvation by his father King Yeongjo; the series reunited him with Han Suk-kyu.

[23] In 2016, Lee starred in tvN's fantasy crime drama Signal together with Cho Jin-woong and Kim Hye-soo, which was critically and commercially successful.

[24][25] In 2017, Lee starred in the fantasy romance drama Tomorrow, With You opposite Shin Min-a, portraying a CEO of a real estate company who has the ability to travel through time.

[34] In 2020, Lee starred in the dystopian action thriller film Time to Hunt which earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.

[38] In 2021, Lee joined the SBS drama Taxi Driver,[39] his small screen comeback after making a special appearance in Hot Stove League last 2020.

[53] On March 6, 2022, Lee donated 100 million won to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.