[8][9][10] Yeon reunited with Arang director Kim Sang-ho in 2013, to again play the protagonist's rival in the gangster melodrama When a Man Falls in Love.

[11] This was followed by leading roles in two romantic comedy series: as a commitment-phobic plastic surgeon in Marriage, Not Dating (2014) and as a vengeful office manager-turned-attorney in Divorce Lawyer in Love (2015).

[18][19] In 2019, Yeon was cast in the music romance drama I Wanna Hear Your Song.

[20] In 2022, Yeon appeared in romantic drama film, Serve the People written and directed by Jang Cheol-soo opposite Ji An.

The film based on the eponymous novel by Yan Lianke, drew wide attention and Yeon was praised for his performance as a model soldier.