Ryu has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including nominations for Baeksang Arts Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, Buil Film Awards, Chunsa Film Art Awards, London East Asian Film Festival and New York Asian Film Festival.[7] In addition to his film work, Ryu actively engages in social and environmental activism. He has been recognised by Forbes Korea as one of the most powerful celebrities in South Korea, placing on the listing for three consecutive years, fourteenth in 2017, thirty-sixth in 2018, and eleventh in 2019.