Among his early TV drama appearances was a role on the popular Lifetime in the Country which he played for 8 years.

[2] While he had played minor roles in several films, it was Ryu's breakout lead performance in Like a Virgin that earned him critical praise and industry recognition.

He gained 28 kg in three months to play the role of a transgender teenager who joins the ssireum team.

[3] Other notable roles include a high schooler desperate for a pair of Nikes in No Comment, a North Korean soldier in Welcome to Dongmakgol, a boy meeting his estranged father in My Son, a serial killer in Our Town, a medical student in Private Eye, a top neurosurgeon and forensic examiner in Quiz of God,[4][5] and King Gongmin in Faith.

[14] On August 26, 2020, Ryu announced in his fan cafe that he would be marrying his girlfriend of seven years, CEO and model Jeon Su-rin.