Yoo Seung-jun

Yoo Seung-jun, also known as Steve Yoo, is a former Korean American pop star and one of the biggest selling artists in Korean history, selling over 5 million records in the country. Yoo Seung-jun's career in South Korea ended in 2002 due to controversies around his mandatory military service.^[1] He was known for his high-energy dancing style, rapping, and singing ability. He is infamous as the first high-profile person to have committed draft dodging in Korean history.

Banned from South Korea, he has since begun an acting career in China.

Early life

Yoo born on December 15, 1976, in Seoul, South Korea. His family moved to the United States when he was thirteen and settled in Buena Park, California. He made demo tapes of his rapping and dance skills and sent these to Brothers Entertainment, where he was eventually scouted and left California to start his career as a singer.

Career

1997: Debut

Yoo made his Korean debut as a singer in 1997. His first album West Side was a hit with the debut single "Gaui" ("gaui" is the Korean word for "scissors" - in this context it translates to "nightmare" as Koreans use the word to describe the rigid sleep paralysis which sometimes accompanies bad dreams). Along with another single "I love you Noona", he won Best Newcomer of the Year in many award ceremonies. Yoo gained popularity with his signature dance move of "Gawi", in which he and his backup dancers lined up diagonally to perform the same moves in unison. West Side ended up selling a million records.

1998

In the summer of 1998, he released second album 1998 V2 for SALE with "Na Na Na" as its lead song, where it and the music video topped the charts. In the video, it featured actress Choi Ji-woo, who played as the internship teacher while he played as the troublesome student. Many consider this album as the most successful of his career, as it won him Best Artist of the Year in multiple award ceremonies. The album again sold 1 million records.

1999

In 1999, he went on to release his third album Now Or Never, which contained the hit single "Passion". Later that year, Yoo released his fourth album, "Over and Over," which contained the hit single "Vision."

2000

During this time, he began to expand his career into China and Taiwan, with the release of single "Can't Wait", which was a collaboration with Taiwanese singer Yuki. Now or Never topped the Korean charts with first week sales of 879,000 albums sold. Setting a record for the highest first week sales ever at the time. The album eventually sold close to 1.5 million units. He also released music videos for two of his Korean songs that year for "찾길 바래" (Wish you could find) & "어제 오늘 그리고" (Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow), the latter showing off a more sophisticated image.

2001

In 2001, he released the single "Wow" from his 6th album "Infinity." Though considered a bit of a disappointment, critically and commercially, compared to his last three albums, "Infinity" still managed to debut at number 1 on the charts with first week sales of 359,961 albums sold. The album has sold over 600,000 copies.

2002: Banishment controversy

Yoo had repeatedly stated on television that he would fulfill his mandatory military service. But in 2002, just before he was to be drafted, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. As a result, the South Korean government considered it an act of desertion, and deported him, permanently banning him from entering the country. In 2011, in response to an announcement by South Korean television network Seoul Broadcasting System, on holding a public vote on whether Koreans think Yoo should be allowed to come back to Korea, he stated that he has no plans to return.^[2]

Post-banishment

He now resides in Beijing, China.

In 2006, he was featured on rapper H-Eugene's song "독불장군" (Single Person). The song's music video didn't show Yoo's face, but shows him dancing and his silhouette.

In 2007, he released his seventh album Yoo Seungjun Vol. 7 - Rebirth of YSJ for his fans who stood by him through the highs and lows of his career. The album was produced under the collaboration of production teams from the U.S., China, and Korea.^[3] He released singles such as "Missing U," "Breakin' Love," "One For Me" and "Fireworks."

He earned a role in an untitled Taiwanese drama loosely based on Bret Easton Ellis's novel Less Than Zero. In June 2008, Yoo signed a 15-year contract with Jackie Chan's entertainment management company to become an actor. He has since attempted to establish a name for himself in mainland China, while continuing his singing and acting career.^[1]

In February 2010, Yoo made his movie debut in Jackie Chan's Little Big Soldier as Prince Wen.^[4]

In December 2013, rumor had it that the ban on Yoo had been lifted and that he would be able to enter Korea. But in January 2014, the Military Manpower Association released a statement flatly denying the allegation. ^[5]

In 2015, it was announced that Yoo will appear in the film Dragon Blade.

In May 19, 2015, Yoo appeared in a video where he opened up on his side of the story regarding his evading military service back in 2002. He appeared getting down on his hands & knees begging to be accepted back into Korea promising that he'll "do whatever it takes" and that he'll accept any condition the Korean government allows.^[6]

Discography

Albums

• 1st - WEST SIDE (1997)
• 2nd - 1998 V2 for SALE (1998)
• 3rd - Now Or Never (1999)
• 4th - OVER AND OVER (1999)
• Gold Techno Remix (2000)
• 5th - Summit Revival / 고지탈환 (2000)
• 6th - Infinity (2001)
• BEST & J DUET COLLECTION (2001)
• Promise to Jun (2006)
• 7th - "Rebirth of YSJ" (2007)

Filmography

• Little Big Soldier (2011)
• Scheme With Me (2011)
• He-Man (2011)
• The Patriot Yue Fei (2012)
• CZ12 (2012)
• Man of Tai Chi (2013)
• The Wrath of Vajra (2013)
• Long's Story (2014)
• The Break-Up Artist (2014)
• Dragon Blade (2015)

Awards

Mnet Asian Music Awards

Music show awards

These are a collection of Yoo Seung-jun's wins on Korea's televised music shows.

Inkigayo

Music Bank

References

External links

• Yoo Seung-jun at the Internet Movie Database