Ryu Jun-yeol

Ryu Jun-yeol (born September 25, 1986) is a South Korean actor. He gained attention through his roles in the film Socialphobia (2015) and his breakthrough role in the television series Reply 1988 (2015–2016). Since then he has appeared in television series Lucky Romance (2016) and films The King (2017) and A Taxi Driver (2017).

2012–2014: Beginnings

While attending university under a scholarship, Ryu took on several part-time jobs, working as a pizza delivery person, a day labourer, and an after-school tutor, among other things. In 2012, Ryu started acting in short films and independent productions, before being cast in a bit part in the 2013 feature film INGtoogi: The Battle of Internet Trolls.

2015–present: Rising popularity

Ryu first drew attention for his performance in Socialphobia in 2015, but it wasn't until later that year that Ryu gained public recognition through starring in the teen series Reply 1988, alongside Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Go Kyung-pyo, and Lee Dong-hwi.

Ryu then starred in the coming-of-age film One Way Trip and crime thriller No Tomorrow. The same year, he played his first leading role in romantic-comedy Lucky Romance alongside Hwang Jung-eum.

In 2017, Ryu featured in historical film The King, which won him the Best New Actor award in film at the Baeksang Arts Awards. The same year, he featured in biopic A Taxi Driver, which became the highest grossing Korean film of the year. Ryu also appeared in legal thriller Heart Blackened.

In 2018, Ryu featured in the drama film Little Forest, and headlined the crime action film Believer.

In 2019, Ryu starred in the action thriller film Hit-and-Run Squad directed by Han Jun-hee, crime film Money and historical action film The Battle: Roar to Victory directed by Won Shin-yun.

Ryu is set to appear in Choi Dong-hoon's upcoming sci-fi crime film.

In December 2018, Ryu was reported to have donated 10 million won (approximately $8,895) to Greenpeace, a non-governmental environmental organisation. He has been making regular donations since 2016, which includes for particular campaigns such as the ‘Save the Arctic’ campaign.