Singer Yoo Seung-jun (Steve Yoo·49), who has been banned from entering Korea for more than 20 years amid controversy over avoiding military service, has once again become the center of controversy by both rebutting composer Yoon Il-sang's criticism and effectively revealing his first music activity update.
Recently, Yoo Seung-jun posted a long message on his personal YouTube channel while for the first time showing his younger son Jian. He said, "Watching Jian reminds me of my childhood," and added, "Not because he does anything well, but I am grateful for the way he lives seriously." He then mentioned his feelings about his family, confessing, "There are times when my heart collapses because of twisted truths and distorted sincerity, but I endure it because of the people I love."
In particular, he drew attention by leaving a sentence that seemed aimed at Yoon Il-sang's recent remark that 'Korea was a business,' saying, "Some people think I'm trying to come to Korea for profit-oriented activities. But I am already sufficiently happy."
Earlier on the 10th, composer Yoon Il-sang directly criticized Yoo Seung-jun on YouTube. While acknowledging his talent by saying, "His popularity in his heyday could not be compared to today's GD," he continued with sharp points such as, "It always seemed his heart was in the United States," "He seemed to think Korea was a business and that his home was the United States," "Avoiding military service was an unthinkable choice," and, "If you could not keep your promise, you should apologize until you are accepted."
Yoon Il-sang said, "Because of this video some people may stop liking me, but personally I don't hate him. However, as the entertainer Yoo Seung-jun, it is clearly wrong."
Before the controversy had even subsided, it was confirmed that Yoo Seung-jun's voice appears on the last track "Home Home" of rapper JUSTHIS's new album LIT (Lost In Translation), released on the 20th. His name was not listed in the song credits, but footage released by JUSTHIS showed Yoo Seung-jun recording in the studio.
The video shows Yoo Seung-jun wearing a white T-shirt and a beanie. The project file was named "Home Home – YSJ – Acapella," and "YSJ" is Yoo Seung-jun (Steve Yoo Seung Jun)'s English initials. These elements were preserved, effectively making his comeback a foregone conclusion.
After obtaining U.S. citizenship in 2002, Yoo Seung-jun was banned from entering Korea amid controversy over evading military service. Since 2015 he has pursued litigation to obtain an F-4 visa and won three times in the Supreme Court, but the Los Angeles consulate has refused to issue the visa citing "concerns about harming national interests," and the legal dispute is still ongoing. Yoon Il-sang criticized Yoo Seung-jun's intention to be active in Korea, but Yoo Seung-jun rebutted with the nuance, "It's not for profit. It's already enough," creating an apparent public clash.
[Photo] 'OSEN DB, YouTube'
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