Ryu Seung-ryong

1998–2003: Early career as a theater and musical actor, non-verbal performance Nanta

After graduating, Ryu joined the Dongrang Theater Company. He did ensemble acting in several large-scale musicals.^[9] Ryu worked various part-time jobs to make a living and gain life experiences, including delivering pig's feet, interior decorating, carrying cabbage at Garak Market, and car washing. He would bring paper kites to Jeju Island, have newlyweds write wishes on them and fly them, then charge 30,000 won to take a Polaroid photo as the kite flew away. This method allowed him to make around 3 million won per day. With Yoo Hae-jin, he also worked part-time at a bidet assembly factory in Jocheon.^[10]

The first turning point in his life came in 1997 in New York, USA. He and Yoo Hae-jin shaved their head to perform the avant-garde play Duta (The Road to Gudo) by Professor Kang Man-hong at the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York. They had to pay for their tickets and accommodation. The performances they saw in New York were happening shows like Stomp, Blue Man Group, and Tube. He wondered why South Korea didn't have such performances and why all their plays seemed to aim at giving didactic lessons.^{[11][9][12][13]}

In October 1997, Ryu watched the premiere of the non-verbal performance Nanta at Hoam Art Hall. The show was produced by PMC Production under co-CEOs Song Seung-hwan and Lee Kwang-ho. At that time, auditions to select the first members of Nanta were being held. Impressed by the performance, Ryu auditioned and became a substitute member. Eventually, he became a core member of Nanta in 1998. He met founding members Kim Moon-soo and Kim Won-hae, who had joined the group in previous years, and later Jang Hyuk-jin joined as well. These actors formed the core of Nanta, practicing and performing across Korea and the world. The show gained immense popularity and holds the record for the longest-running open run performance in Korea.^[14][15][16]

After participating in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1999, Nanta toured over 20 countries around the world, including Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, and North America, and has recorded an audience occupancy rate of over 90% to date. It continues to attract 70% of foreign tourists and was gaining great popularity.^[16]

Nanta was the first performance in Korea to introduce the concept of a dedicated theater. PMC Production opened a 300-seat theater in Gangbuk in Jeong-dong in 2000, followed by another 300-seat theater in Gangnam in Cheongdam-dong in 2002. By 2003, PMC were operating seven theaters.^[16]

In 2002, they made their debut in New York, USA, with a performance on Broadway and an appearance on NBC's Today Show in 2002, predating Psy.^[14] Ryu's dedication to Nanta for five years stemmed from his unique mix of ambition and detachment. "I had dreams of performing on Broadway. Nanta is a top-tier show, akin to how actors aspire to work in Hollywood. I eventually left because I felt like a mute without any lines."^[4]

After leaving Nanta, Ryu returned to work with director Jang Jin. Prior, due to Nanta, Ryu declined a script from Director Jang Jin for a play called Heotang. They reunited for the play "Welcome to Dongmakgol," performed at the LG Art Center in December 2002. Despite feeling that he had only regained about 70% of his original linguistic sensitivity after appearing in that play, his acting skills shone through.^[4]

2004–2018: Screen debut and became part of Jang Jin's muses

Ryu then made his film debut in Jang Jin's film Someone Special (2004) as a bank robber. He then acted in Jang Jin's environmental short film Has the Rain Stopped? In this film, he appeared as a slow-speaking farmer from Jeolla province with a sagging belly, delivering a reliable performance as a father who, though disdainful of his son's first love, still embraced him.^[4]

He then appeared as a rival as prosecutor Seong-jun, a colleague of Choi Yoon-gi (Cha Seung-won) in Jang Jin's film Murder, Take One [ko] (2005). Although he did not have a scene entirely his own, his low voice and smooth manner of speaking left a distinct impression.^[4]

Another Jang Jin's short film Someone Grateful [ko] screened at 2005 Jeonju Film Festival, showcased him as a mature actor. In this film, he played a contractual torture technician, portraying a middle-aged worker permeated with fatigue, unable to receive proper overtime pay despite working overnight shifts. His potential as actor were noticed in this his third film with director Jang Jin's short film.^[17]

In September 2005, he was rehearsing for the play Death of a Salesman, directed by Jang Jin.^[4]

In 2006, he appeared in Jang Jin's Righteous Ties.^[18]

Ryu then appeared in a series of director Jang's films, including 'Good Morning President' (2009), and 'Quiz Show' (2010), making a solid impression on Chungmuro. And then, he became the 'main star of Chungmuro' by successfully producing 'The Bow of Arrows' (2011), 'All About My Wife' (2012), and 'Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King' (2012).^[19]

He has since become one of the most versatile and dependable character actors in Korea. A sampling of the various roles he has played over the years: a mentally handicapped father in Miracle in Cell No. 7,^[20][21] the royal adviser Heo Gyun in Masquerade, an officer of the North Korean People's Army in The Front Line, a hard-nosed general of the Qing Dynasty in War of the Arrows, a ladies' man in All About My Wife, a gambling husband who fears his wife in The Quiz Show Scandal, a refined gay man in Personal Taste, a vengeful gangster in Secret, a reporter on the trail of a story in The Recipe, and the titular figure in The Piper.^[22][23]

2019–Present: Second career heyday

In 2017, Ryu was cast in Kim Eun-hee's Netflix period zombie thriller Kingdom.^[24] In the series, Ryu plays the role of Lord Cho Hak-ju (seasons 1–2), the Chief State Councilor of Joseon who is the head of the Haewon Cho clan and Lee Chang's political rival. He is the father of Queen Consort Cho and Cho Beom-il, and the uncle of Cho Beom-pal. A cold, ruthless leader, he is desperate to secure his power over the throne through Queen Cho's unborn child who he seeks to make heir to the throne in place of Lee Chang.^[25] The series premiered on January 25, 2019.^[26]

In 2019, Ryu starred in the comedy film Extreme Job which became the 2nd highest-grossing film of all time in South Korea.^[27][28]

Ryu was contacted by director Park In-je, with whom he had previously collaborated on season 2 of the Netflix series Kingdom, to join the series Moving.^[29] This action-packed fantasy sci-fi television series is written by Kang Full and co-directed by Park In-je and Park Yoon-seo. The show features an ensemble cast including Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo, Zo In-sung, Cha Tae-hyun, Ryoo Seung-bum, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Jung-ha, Go Youn-jung, and Kim Do-hoon. Based on Kang's webtoon of the same name, the series is a supernatural drama that follows three high school students and their parents as they discover their superpowers.^[30] In the series, Ryu plays the role of Jang Ju-won, Hui-soo's father who runs a fried chicken shop. He possesses healing abilities and superhuman strength, although he is still susceptible to pain. Jang Ju-won is a former gangster and ex-ANSP agent with the code name Guryongpo, who used to be Doo-sik's partner during their time in the ANSP.^[31]

It was released from August 9, to September 20, 2023. After seven days of availability, it became the most watched Korean original series on Disney+ globally and Hulu in the United States, based on hours streamed.

Ryu is back with the Netflix series Chicken Nugget alongside Ahn Jae-hong. In the series, Ryu plays the role of Choi Seon-man, the president of More Than Machines.^[32] The plot involves Choi's daughter, Min-ah (Kim Yoo-jung), turning into a chicken nugget, and Choi's quest to turn his daughter back into a human.^[33]

Endorsements

Following the success of "All About My Wife," Ryu Seung-ryong became a sought-after endorser for brands like Samsung Life Insurance, Kumon Learning Center, and SK Telecom. His endorsement deals were finalized just before the release of "Miracle in Cell No. 7," and the timing of the commercials airing alongside the film's screening was beneficial for the advertisers. Samsung Life Insurance noted an increase in advertising interest after the movie reached 10 million views. SK Telecom experienced a surge in sales after airing the commercial, making it the top-selling new product in March. The 1 minute and 30-second YouTube version of the commercial was nearing 1 million views.^[34]

Following the success of 2014 historical film The Admiral: Roaring Currents, Ryu Seung-ryong starred in The Baedal Minjok advertisement with the slogan 'What kind of nation are we'. As a leading actor, he won multiple advertising awards this year. His commercials ranged from cinematic broadcast ads to clever outdoor campaigns, strategically placed in relevant locations.^[35]

Chicken franchise BBQ 's Paris Chicken is gaining huge popularity, with sales increasing by 500% thanks to the popularity of Ryu Seung-ryong's CF.^[36] Ryu Seung-ryong was recognized as the Advertising Model of the Year at the 2014 Korea Advertising Awards.^[37]

In April 2024, Home Chicken SASE (CEO Kim Gwang-seon) announced that it has selected actor Ryu Seung-ryong as its new brand model and was launching a campaign.^[38]

Philanthropy

In 2015, Ryu donated 10 million won to support the independent film The Claws of the Five Generals, an adaptation of an award-winning play. The film's production costs were raised through citizen participation, and it is currently in production. Ryu, known for his interest in performances and independent cinema, decided to contribute to the project after learning about it.^[39]

On September 3, 2020, Ryu and Park Jin-hee lent their talents to a climate crisis campaign for Greenpeace. They both narrated the organization's TV commercial.^[40]

Film

Television series

Web series

Music video appearances

Musical

Theater

Awards and nominations

State honors

Listicles