In an entertainment industry where the number of productions is decreasing, Lee Kwang-soo continues his active involvement across movies, dramas, and variety shows. Known for his strong image on variety programs, Lee Kwang-soo has been focusing on films and dramas since leaving Running Man, expanding his filmography as an actor. He has established himself as a "multiplayer," broadening his domain while simultaneously participating in variety shows.

Lee Kwang-soo will meet audiences as the lead in the movie Na Honja Prince, which opens on the 19th. Na Honja Prince is a comic romance depicting the story of a top star left alone in Vietnam without a manager, passport, or money. The character Kang Jun-woo, played by Lee Kwang-soo, is a popular celebrity nicknamed the "Asia Prince," who feels the burden and monotony of maintaining his top position amid rising young actors. Since Lee Kwang-soo is actually nicknamed the "Asia Prince," he shows a high level of synchronicity with the character.

Through variety shows, Lee Kwang-soo has approached the public with a humorous and clumsy image. This movie naturally incorporates that image from his variety appearances. His scenes begging for money and clinging to Tao (played by Hwang Ha), an aspiring barista he meets on the streets of Vietnam, bring laughter to the audience. Lee Kwang-soo said, "I thought that if I applied the familiar version of myself to the Kang Jun-woo character, the audience might be more forgiving of the humor."

Director Kim Sung-hoon praised, "There are parts of the Kang Jun-woo character that connect with Lee Kwang-soo's existing image. We brought the acting from TV variety shows to the screen. Although Running Man's Lee Kwang-soo and Na Honja Prince's Kang Jun-woo are different characters, if it wasn't uncomfortable to watch, it means Lee Kwang-soo acted wonderfully."

Lee Kwang-soo will also meet the public through a drama around the movie's release. In the Disney+ series Jojak City, released on the 5th, he plays Baek Do-kyung, a VIP client of Ahn Yo-han (played by Do Kyung-soo), who has two faces as a sculptor and a murderer. Baek Do-kyung is the son of a prominent congressman and holds a crucial key to the Park Tae-joong case. He raises the tension in the story by threatening Ahn Yo-han, who is reshaping the game after Park Tae-joong's prison break. Lee Kwang-soo said, "I acted so that Baek Do-kyung would make viewers feel uncomfortable, like someone who just makes you feel bad for no reason."

Lee Kwang-soo is showing the charm of the "human Lee Kwang-soo" through the tvN variety show Kong Kong Pang Pang. On a trip to Mexico with close actor friends Kim Woo-bin and Do Kyung-soo, he makes viewers laugh with their playful chemistry. The image of Lee Kwang-soo as the naive older brother suffering from the mischievous pranks of his younger siblings reminds viewers that he was once a "variety show star."

When Lee Kwang-soo left Running Man, there were many concerns. Running Man was his representative work for 11 years, and he was a core member of the program. The nickname "Asia Prince" was also earned thanks to Running Man. Lee Kwang-soo cited rehabilitation and condition issues following a traffic accident as reasons for leaving Running Man. He once revealed on a variety show, "At some point, the eyes of people expecting me to be funny became a burden."

Since leaving Running Man, Lee Kwang-soo has strengthened his filmography as an actor. He has taken on various characters in movies like The Pirates: Goblin Flag and dramas such as The Murderer's Shopping List, No Way Out: The Roulette, and Bad Connection. He also won Best Supporting Actor at this year's Blue Dragon Series Awards for Bad Connection. He continues to appear in season-based variety shows like The Zone: Survival and Kong Kong Pang Pang, maintaining the friendly image he gained from Running Man.

For Lee Kwang-soo, season-based variety shows are not continuous programs like Running Man, so time management for his acting projects is more efficient. He balances the weight of being an actor with the friendliness of a variety entertainer. Lee Kwang-soo's expanding presence, which has dispelled concerns since leaving Running Man and is solidifying his position as an actor, is expected to continue attracting attention.