He has hosted several variety television shows in South Korea, including Infinite Challenge, Running Man, Happy Together, and Hangout With Yoo.

[4] Yoo's television debut was on the KBS Comedian Festival (for college students) in 1991, where he performed a parody of a commercial with Choi Seung-gyung.

[5] He then rose to prominence when he co-hosted a program called The Crash of MCs with Kang Ho-dong, Lee Hwi-jae, and Kim Han-seok.

[10] Yoo revealed his love for the program during 1-on-1 talk with fellow co-host, Jeong Hyeong-don, on a "Pause" special (S04E300) that aired on 20 October 2012.

Family Outing became one of the top-rated shows in Korea, consistently achieving the highest ratings for the Sunday mid-afternoon time-slot, and it gained popularity among Hallyu fans.

[14] Since 11 July 2010, Yoo has hosted the urban action variety Running Man together with fellow Infinite Challenge member Haha, fellow Family Outing member Kim Jong-kook, other entertainers such as Ji Suk-jin, Leessang's Gary (who left since episode 324 to focus on his music career), Song Ji-hyo, Lee Kwang-soo (who left after episode 559 to continue with the rehab of an injury he sustained from the past year), Song Joong-ki (who left since episode 41 to focus on his acting career), Lizzy of After School (who left due to schedule conflicts), Jeon So-min and Yang Se-chan (both joined since episode 346).

Though with himself still topping popularity charts, new shows of his such as Laborhood on Hire and You Quiz on the Block while finding moderate success and having favourable reviews, were not able to fill the shoes of Infinite Challenge.

The program focuses on current popular artists remaking hit songs from singers who have disappeared from the public eye.

In the video, he reprises the retro disco dancing character he created for the mock-band "Sagging Snail" in Infinite Challenge's West Coast Highway Music Festival special, in which Psy also appeared.

[34] Soon after the end of SSAK3, Yoo collaborated with Lee Hyo-ri together with Kim Jong-min and Jung Jae-hyung on the "Refund Sisters" with Uhm Jung-hwa, Jessi & Hwasa as a promise after reaching number 1 in MBC Music Core show.

[38] On 21 December 2021, it was reported that Yoo had recovered from the infection after completing home treatment for COVID-19, according to a health official's decision.

[41] In September 2018, Yoo donated 50 million won to Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims who are suffering from the sudden torrential rain.

[42] In April 2019, Yoo donated 50 million won to Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to support the victims of Gangwon forest fire.

[47] On 7 March 2022, Yoo donated 100 million won to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.

[48] In May 2022, Yoo donated 50 million won to The 11th International Development Cooperation NGO G-Foundation, which will be used for education and health support programs for women and children from low-income families.

[50] On 11 August 2022, Yoo donated ₩100 million (USD 70,528.86 as of 1 November 2022) to help those affected by the 2022 South Korean floods through the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.

[51] In February 2023, Yoo donated 100 million won to help in the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake through Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association.

[64] On 6 July 2008, Yoo married MBC announcer, Na Kyung-eun [ko], who worked with him on the show Infinite Challenge.