Actor Ryu Seung-ryong is putting his voice behind the cause of coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Fresh off a buzzy small-screen run that reaffirmed both his range and star power, Ryu is stepping into documentary work next, serving as narrator for SBS’s "The Strange Zoo", airing Jan. 18.
"The Strange Zoo" spotlights superstar wildlife veterinarian Kim Jeong-ho, who has built a reputation for taking on South Korea’s toughest, most perilous animal surgeries. From high-stakes procedures like a lion’s ovarian surgery to artificial insemination for the endangered Amur wildcat and even delicate tiger claw removals, Kim’s frontline work unfolds with edge-of-your-seat intensity.
Instead of opening a lucrative pet clinic, Kim chose the zoo to focus on wildlife care―earning him the nickname “the strange veterinarian.” The Cheongju Zoo where he works has, in turn, been dubbed “The Strange Zoo,” a place where the animals―and the people devoted to them―carry extraordinary backstories.
After 18 months of filming, the production offers a rare, unvarnished look behind the exhibits, revealing why this place came to be known as "The Strange Zoo".
Known for his passion for environmental issues, Ryu signed on after connecting with the team’s mission to improve animal lives and, by extension, the world beyond the zoo. “I teared up just reading the script,” he shared after wrapping narration. “If I get the chance, I’d love to visit Cheongju Zoo in person. I’m grateful to be part of a project with such heart.”
Ryu’s steady, resonant delivery adds emotional weight to "The Strange Zoo".
The well-crafted documentary, promising one of winter’s most unusual and moving stories, premieres Sunday, Jan. 18 at 11:05 p.m. KST on SBS.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)