[2] Li began his acting career with a minor role in Wong Jing's film Feng Shui (2012).

Li was cast in the esports romance film Love O2O (2016) and web series Medical Examiner Dr.

[25] He also made a cameo in Leap, the Chinese entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.

[26][27] In 2022, Li starred in the historical drama A Love Never Lost which, however, was pulled from the air soon after its premiere for unspecified reasons.

"[30] In October 2017, rumors emerged that Li was slated to star in the TV adaptation of the popular BL novel Silent Reading, sparking controversy due to his previous homophobic remarks.

[31][32] In 2020, Li starred in the film Soul Snatcher, based on a BL novel but stripped of its gay content due to censorship in China.

[51] He has also been recognized by GQ's Men of the Year,[52][53] Esquire's Man at His Best Awards,[54] and the Film and TV Role Model Annual Ranking.

[56] The Beijing News selected him as an Entertainment Person of the Year,[57] and he earned a spot in Forbes China's 30 Under 30 list.