[2][3] Ryu's acting career began in 1994 with a supporting role in the TV series Feelings [ko], as a friend of one of the main characters.

During this period, he also debuted as a musician, and hosted programs such as SBS’s TV Gayo 20 (the predecessor to Inkigayo) and KBS’s Music Bank.

[7][8] Subsequent to the 2004 broadcast of his drama Beautiful Days in Japan, he started activities there both as an actor and a singer.

[9] On 21 December 2011, Ryu was signed on by Japanese travel agency HIS, for one-year to promotion Korean tourism in Japan.

[10] In May 2012, Ryu starred in Channel A's drama Goodbye Dear Wife along with Hong Soo-hyun, Park Ji-yoon, Danny Ahn and Julien Kang.

[12][13] He officially married on October 26, with celebrities such as Eugene, Kang Ho-dong, and Kim Won-jun attending.