Lance Joseph Martinez

10 Things to Know About Ryu Jun-yeol, the Star of Thriller Series ‘Mousetrap’

Article (news)

<p>Filipinos clearly can&rsquo;t get enough of a good thriller series, and it shows. Several thriller titles have been dominating <strong>Netflix</strong>&rsquo;s&nbsp;Top TV Shows<strong></strong> in the Philippines, with the South Korean thriller series <strong><em>Mousetrap&nbsp;</em></strong>currently holding the top spot since its release.</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788408347621[image] - 5540843.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Official poster of &#39;Mousetrap&#39; | Photo from @netflixkr</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><p>The series is based on a Korean folktale about a mouse that can transform into a person after eating their fingernail. <strong>Ryu Jun-yeol&nbsp;</strong>takes on the challenging task of portraying both <strong>Moon-jae</strong>, whose identity is stolen, and a mysterious man known as<strong>&nbsp;&ldquo;The Rat</strong>,<strong>&rdquo;</strong> who takes his place.</p><p>As expected, Ryu Jun-yeol&rsquo;s performance has been met with praise from audiences, with both international viewers and local South Korean audiences commending the actor for his compelling dual role.</p><p>While we&rsquo;re captivated by Ryu Jun-yeol&rsquo;s portrayal, let&rsquo;s get to know the actor beyond the camera. Here are 10 things you might not know about the star of Netflix&rsquo;s thriller series <em>Mousetrap</em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong>.</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788408391430[image] - 9510401.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Ryu Jun-yeol during the official media conference of &#39;Mousetrap&#39; | Photo from @netflixkr</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788408436153[image] - 613848.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @netflixkr</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><div><strong>He is almost 40 years old.</strong></div><p>Born and raised in <strong>Suwon</strong>, South Korea, Ryu Jun-yeol grew up alongside his younger sister, with whom he shares a close bond. The siblings are only two years apart, making them particularly close throughout their childhood.</p><p>Born on September 25, 1986, Jun-yeol is set to turn 40 this year, according to international age calculation.</p><p>Despite keeping much of his personal life private, the actor continues to give fans glimpses into his world through his Instagram account,<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ryusdb?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsi=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==">&nbsp;<strong>@ryusdb</strong></a>, where he regularly shares updates, photos, and moments from both his career and everyday life.</p><div><br></div><div><strong>He holds a degree in film.<br></strong></div><p>His mastery of the craft comes as no surprise, as Ryu Jun-yeol holds a degree in <strong>film&nbsp;</strong>from the <strong>University of Suwon</strong>,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>where he also studied under a scholarship.</p><p>The university&rsquo;s<strong>&nbsp;Film and Digital Arts&nbsp;</strong>program provides students with both creative and systematic training in various aspects of filmmaking, including directing, production, cinematography, lighting, screenwriting, editing, and digital special effects.&nbsp;</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788408963937[image] - 6155183.jpg" style="width: 700px; display: block; height: auto;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @ryusdb</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><div><strong>He worked several part-time jobs before pursuing a career as an actor.<br></strong></div><p>In an article from <strong>Donga</strong>, Ryu Jun-yeol opened up about the part-time jobs he took on while pursuing his college education and before officially entering the entertainment industry. With the need to support himself while completing his studies, the actor worked various jobs to make ends meet.</p><p>&ldquo;It was a life of part-time jobs,&rdquo; he recalled, sharing that he had worked in a variety of roles, including pizza delivery, day labor, serving, and even teaching after-school classes. &ldquo;I attended school on a scholarship. It was about survival,&rdquo; he revealed during the interview.</p><div><br></div><div><strong>He started his acting career with a minor role.<br></strong></div><p>Before making his mark as an actor, Ryu Jun-yeol completed his mandatory military service. He enlisted as a <strong>public service worker</strong> in 2007 and completed his duties in 2009. It was not until 2012 that he officially began pursuing a career in acting.</p><p>Ryu started by appearing in short and independent films before landing a bit part in the 2013 feature film<em>&nbsp;</em><strong><em>INGtoogi</em></strong><strong><em>: The Battle of Internet Trolls</em></strong>. He began gaining wider attention for his performance in the 2015 independent film <strong><em>Socialphobia</em></strong>, which earned him the <strong>Rising Star Award</strong> at the<strong>&nbsp;KAFA Film Festival</strong> and nominations at the <strong>Chunsa Film Art Awards</strong>.<strong></strong></p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788409083257[image] - 7293655.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @ryusdb</span></span></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788409063277[image] - 5304784.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @ryusdb</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><div><strong>He had his breakthrough with <em>Reply 1988</em>.<br></strong></div><p>In the same year, Ryu Jun-yeol experienced a breakthrough in his career when he headlined the iconic drama series<strong><em>&nbsp;Reply 1988</em></strong><em></em><em>.</em><em></em><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong>Set in the 1980s, a period when South Korea was undergoing significant political and economic changes, the series follows five friends and their families living in the same neighborhood in Seoul.</p><p>Ryu starred alongside<strong>&nbsp;Lee Hye-ri</strong>,<strong> Park Bo-gum</strong>,<strong> Go Kyung-pyo</strong>,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>and <strong>Lee Dong-hwi</strong>.<strong></strong> His performance earned him several accolades, including the <strong>Best New Actor in TV Award</strong> at the <strong>52nd Baeksang Arts Awards</strong> in 2016.</p><p>In <em>Reply 1988</em>, Ryu portrayed<strong>&nbsp;Kim Jung-hwan</strong>,<strong></strong> a stoic and sarcastic character who hides a surprisingly sweet side. Affectionately called &ldquo;Jung-pal&rdquo; by his friends, Jung-hwan is smart and athletic and often takes on extra responsibilities to support the dreams of his older brother, Jung-bong, who has a chronic heart condition.</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788408773515[image] - 8208685.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">&#39;Reply 1988&#39; cast | Photo from @ryusdb</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><div><strong>He is also a talented photographer.<br></strong></div><p>According to an<strong></strong> Insight Korea report, Ryu Jun-yeol took a short break from acting between mid-2019 and early 2020 and spent time in the United States. He based himself in Los Angeles, where he used the English name <strong>Anthony</strong>.</p><p>During his stay, Ryu attended the<strong>&nbsp;University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)&nbsp;</strong>through a study-abroad program. Away from his studies, he explored his interest in photography and also learned how to create vlogs.</p><p>His time abroad also inspired his photography. In November 2020, Ryu held his first photography exhibition in Seoul, <strong>Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood,</strong> featuring photographs he captured during his stay in the United States, as reported by <strong></strong>Sports Chosun.<strong></strong></p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788408918837[image] - 6850427.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @ryusdb</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788408634112[image] - 7017579.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @ryusdb</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><div><strong>He is an advocate for Greenpeace.</strong></div><p>Ryu Jun-yeol developed a deeper interest in environmental advocacy after appearing in <strong><em>Youth Over Flowers: Africa&nbsp;</em></strong>in 2016. Since then, he has supported various environmental initiatives, including <strong>Greenpeace&rsquo;s&nbsp;</strong><strong>Save the Arctic&nbsp;</strong>campaign. In December 2018, Ryu donated ₩10 million (roughly 460,000 Php) to <strong>Greenpeace</strong>, followed by another contribution in 2020 to support efforts related to the Australian wildfires.</p><p>His advocacy continued in 2021 when he joined a video conference with then-South Korean President <strong>Moon Jae-in</strong>,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>where he discussed environmental protection and helped promote Greenpeace&rsquo;s campaign to reduce plastic packaging.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_QuanFpHay/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1182866.400000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br></div><div><strong>He is a passionate football fan.<br></strong></div><p>Given football&rsquo;s popularity in South Korea, it comes as little surprise that Ryu Jun-yeol is also a passionate football fan.</p><p>According to<strong></strong>&nbsp;SPOTV,<strong></strong> Ryu, who was born and raised in Suwon, took part in promotional activities for th<strong>e 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup</strong>,<strong></strong> which was hosted by South Korea. Ahead of the tournament, he joined Argentine football legends <strong>Diego Maradona</strong> and <strong>Pablo Aimar&nbsp;</strong>in a five-a-side match held in Suwon ahead of the official U-20 World Cup draw.</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788408661494[image] - 8561668.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @ryusdb</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><div><strong>He was previously in a long-term relationship with his <em>Reply 1988</em> co-star Hyeri.<br></strong></div><p>Following the popularity of his iconic role as Kim Jung-hwan in <em>Reply 1988</em>, fans were also invested in his character&rsquo;s love line with Deok-sun, played by <strong>Hyeri.</strong> So, when reports surfaced in late 2016 that Ryu Jun-yeol and Hyeri were dating in real life, fans were thrilled.</p><p>The pair received plenty of support from fans throughout their relationship. Although they largely kept their romance private, their occasional public appearances and candid moments together gave fans glimpses of their relationship and made them a beloved celebrity couple.</p><p>However, in November 2023, reports confirmed that Ryu Jun-yeol and Hyeri had ended their relationship.</p><div><br></div><div><strong>He is a critically acclaimed actor.<br></strong></div><p>Throughout his acting career, Ryu Jun-yeol has taken on a wide range of roles in independent films, mainstream movies, and television series, allowing him to steadily sharpen his craft over the years. His academic background in film has also played a role in shaping his serious approach to acting and filmmaking.</p><p>His body of work has earned him numerous accolades, making him one of the most recognized South Korean actors of his generation. He has received at least 24 major awards from various award-giving bodies in South Korea and abroad.</p><p>Among his notable wins are the <strong>Best New Actor&nbsp;</strong>award at the<strong>&nbsp;Baeksang Arts Awards&nbsp;</strong>in 2016 for <em>Reply 1988</em> and <strong>Best Actor in Film&nbsp;</strong>in 2023 for <strong><em>The Night Owl.</em></strong> He has also won five awards at the<strong>&nbsp;Asia Artist Awards</strong>,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>including<strong>&nbsp;Artist of the Year</strong> in 2018.</p><p>In 2019, Ryu also received international recognition for his performance in <strong><em>Money</em></strong>, earning<strong>&nbsp;Best Actor</strong> honors from both the<strong>&nbsp;London East Asia Film Festival</strong> and the<strong>&nbsp;N</strong><strong>ew York Asian Film Festival</strong>.<strong></strong></p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788409182839[image] - 4515159.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @ryusdb</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@</strong><strong>ryusdb</strong></p>

<p>Recently making waves for his performance in the hit Netflix series "Mousetrap," Ryu Jun-yeol continues to prove why he is one of South Korea’s most acclaimed actors. Get to know more about the actor behind the character with these 10 things you might not know about him. </p>

Recently making waves for his performance in the hit Netflix series "Mousetrap," Ryu Jun-yeol continues to prove why he is one of South Korea’s most acclaimed actors. Get to know more about the actor behind the character with these 10 things you might not know about him.