Choi Ri made her acting debut in the 2016 period drama film Spirits’ Homecoming, which won her the New Rising Star Award at the 53rd Grand Bell Awards. That same year, she landed roles in MBC’s Blow Breeze and tvN’s The Lonely Shining Goblin. In 2018, she appeared in the comedy-drama film Keys to the Heart, which earned her the Best New Actress trophy at the 38th Golden Cinema Film Festival. She then played a supporting role in the 2018 MBC drama Come Here and Hug Me. In 2019, she joined the main cast of the Netflix series My First First Love, which was followed by another main role in the 2020 tvN miniseries Birthcare Center.

Choi Ri attended Chung-Ang University’s dance department.