Yoo Seung-jun

Last updated
Yoo Seung-jun
yuseungjun.jpg
Background information
Also known as
  • Yoo Sueng-jun
  • Steve Sueng Jun Yoo
  • Steve Yoo
Born (1976-12-15) December 15, 1976 (age 47)
Origin Seoul, South Korea
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • actor
Years active1997–present
Website https://www.youtube.com/@YooSeungJunOFFICIAL
Korean name
Hangul
유승준
Hanja
Revised Romanization Yu Seungjun
McCune–Reischauer Yu Sŭngjun

Steve Sueng Jun Yoo [1] (born Yoo Seung-jun [2] on December 15, 1976), [3] is a South Korean-born American singer, dancer, rapper and actor who became one of South Korea's most popular K-pop stars after his debut in 1997. [4] Yoo's music career ended in 2002 when he was accused of evading South Korean mandatory military service by becoming a U.S. citizen. [5] He was subsequently banned from entering South Korea, becoming the only person in history to be banned from the country for acquiring another citizenship. [6] Since then, Yoo worked as an actor in China. [7]

Contents

In acting, he is best known for his roles as Jin Wuzhu in 2013 historical TV series The Patriot Yue Fei and Prince Wen in 2010 film Little Big Soldier .

Early life

Yoo was born on December 15, 1976, in Seoul, South Korea. He and his family immigrated to the United States when he was thirteen and settled in Buena Park, California. Yoo 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

1997–2002: Debut and early music career

Yoo made his South Korean debut as a singer in 1997. His first album West Side was a hit with the debut single "Gawi" ("gawi" or "가위" is the Korean word for "scissors" - in this context it translates to "nightmare" as South 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" at many award ceremonies. Yoo gained popularity with his signature dance move "Gawi," in which he and his backup dancers lined up diagonally to perform the same moves in unison. "West Side" sold a million copies.

In the summer of 1998, he released his second album 1998 V2 for SALE with "Na Na Na" ("나나나") 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. 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."

In 2000, he began to expand his career into China and Taiwan, with the release of the single "Can't Wait", which was a collaboration with Taiwanese singer Yuki. Now or Never topped the South 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" (English: "Wish you could find") & "어제 오늘 그리고" (English: "Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow"), the latter showing off a more sophisticated image.

In 2001, he released the single "Wow" from his sixth album "Infinity." Though considered a disappointment critically and commercially compared to his last three albums, "Infinity" still debuted at No. 1 on the charts with first-week sales of 359,961 units. The album went to achieve sales of over 600,000.

2002–present: Overseas career

In 2006, he was featured on rapper H-Eugene's song "독불장군" (English: "Single Person"). The song's music video does not 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 United States, China, and South Korea. [8] 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. [9]

In February 2010, Yoo made his film debut in Jackie Chan's Little Big Soldier as Prince Wen. [10] Also that year, he released music videos in Korean and Chinese for his unofficial single "My World".[ citation needed ]

In 2015, it was announced that Yoo would appear in the film Dragon Blade .[ citation needed ]

In 2019, he released two singles in Korean, "Another Day" and "People Don’t Know" with music videos for both songs.[ citation needed ]

In 2022, Yoo was enrolled as a student in Westminster Seminary California.[ citation needed ]

Personal life

After his banishment from South Korea in 2002, Yoo made his residence in Beijing, China. Soon after, he moved back to the U.S. to live in Los Angeles County, California. Yoo married Christine Oh in 2004, with whom he has 4 children. In October 2019, Yoo launched his YouTube channel, where he posted videos of his daily workout routine.

Yoo was a practitioner of Taekwondo [11] during the height of his celebrity days. He featured his skills on Korean TV shows of the time. In 2010, when he was invited as a guest on the show Asia Uncut , he stated he (at the time of filming) held a 3rd Dan black belt.

Banishment from South Korea

Yoo had repeatedly stated on television that he would fulfill his mandatory military service; however, 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. [6] In 2003, his father-in-law, who resided in South Korea, died. South Korea's Ministry of Justice allowed Yoo temporary entry into South Korea for two days. [12]

In 2011, in response to an announcement by South Korean television network Seoul Broadcasting System on holding a public poll on whether South Koreans thought Yoo should be allowed to come back to South Korea, he said he had no plan to return. [13]

On 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 and knees begging to be accepted back into South Korea, promising that he would "do whatever it takes" and that he would accept any condition the South Korean government imposed. [14]

On February 23, 2017, following a court hearing, Yoo lost his second and final appeal for having his entry ban lifted, and was no longer allowed to return to South Korea, nor would he be able to appeal his entry ban in the future. [15] [16]

On July 11, 2019, the South Korean Supreme Court sent Yoo's previously closed case back to the Seoul High Court. [17] [18] [19] On November 15, 2019, an appeals court reversed its earlier decision and ruled in favor of Yoo, which allowed him to visit South Korea. [20]

On November 30, 2023, the Seoul High Court ruled in favor of Yoo, lifting his entry ban to South Korea. [21] However, in April 2024, Yoo stated that no progress has been made over his visa application and he is not able to visit South korea. [22]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSales
KOR
[23]
West Side—*
For Sale
  • Released: April 29, 1998
  • Label: Best Media
  • Formats: CD, cassette
2
Now Or Never
  • Released: April 15, 1999
  • Label: Baeksan Media
  • Formats: CD, cassette
1
Over And Over1
Summit Revival
  • Released: November 24, 2000
  • Label: West Side Media
  • Formats: CD, cassette
3
Infinity
  • Released: August 31, 2001
  • Label: West Side Media
  • Formats: CD, cassette
2
Rebirth of YSJ——
*Chart positions not available prior to 1998
"—" denotes album did not chart.

Extended plays

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSales
KOR
[23]
Another Day——

Compilations and live albums

Filmography

Movies

Television

Awards and nominations

Golden Disc Awards

YearCategoryWorkResult
1997Bonsang (Best Artist)Yoo Seung-junWon
1999Won
2000Won

Mnet Asian Music Awards

YearCategoryWorkResult
1999 Best Male Artist "Passion" (열정)Nominated
2000 Best Dance Performance "Vision" (비전)Nominated
2001 Best Dance Performance"Wow"Won
Best Male ArtistNominated

Seoul Music Awards

YearCategoryWorkResult
2000Bonsang (Main Prize)Yoo Seung-junWon
2001Won

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References

  1. ↑ Heo, Yeop (2002-02-03). "[방송]공항서 쫓겨난 유승준 "비난 감수"". The Dong-a Ilbo . South Korea. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  2. ↑ "유승준 소개" [Yoo Seung-jun Profile]. Mnet (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2018-09-24. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  3. ↑ Cho, Jin-hyung (February 13, 2017). "Fighting to be able to return home : After enlistment scandal, Steve Yoo is battling to come back to Korea". Korea JoongAng Daily . South Korea. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  4. ↑ Lee, Sun-young; Yoon, Sarah (2015-05-20). "[Newsmaker] Steve Yoo asks to be taken back". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  5. ↑ Sung, So-young (November 19, 2015). "Steve Yoo sues over Korea visa rejection". Korea JoongAng Daily . South Korea. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  6. 1 2 "Singer Yoo Seung-jun protests lifetime entry ban". Yonhap News Agency . 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  7. ↑ Yang, Eun-kyoung (2017-02-24). "Korean-American Singer Stays Barred Over Draft Dodging". The Chosun Ilbo . Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  8. ↑ Yoo Seungjun Vol. 7 - Rebirth of YSJ album info Archived November 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Yesasia.
  9. ↑ Bae Guk-nam (배국남). "Why is the public still mad at Yoo Seung-jun?(유승준에 왜 대중은 여전히 분노할까?)" (in Korean). MyDaily. Archived from the original on 2009-06-20.
  10. ↑ Young, Al "Jackie Chan + Three Guys + Horse = BIG SOLDIER" Archived August 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Twitch Film. 9 April 2009. Retrieved 2011-11-08
  11. ↑ 유승준, 태권도 연습 중 "몇 단이게요?"
  12. ↑ https://imnews.imbc.com/replay/2003/nwdesk/article/1905799_30767.html
  13. ↑ Seo, Ji-eun (2011-10-20). "Steve Yoo isn't coming back to Korea". Korea JoongAng Daily . Archived from the original on 2013-01-06. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  14. ↑ "Yoo Seung Joon gets on hands and knees to apologize for evading military service" Archived October 2, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ "Why a K-Pop Legend is No Longer Allowed Back in South Korea" "Nextshark". Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Yoo Seung Joon loses second trial, forbidden to enter Korea" "AllKPop.com". Retrieved October 25, 2017
  17. ↑ “Entry ban on Korean American singer illegal: top court” “The Korea Herald”. Retrieved July 11, 2019
  18. ↑ “K-pop star who avoided draft may be allowed to return home” Archived 2021-06-04 at the Wayback Machine “Channel News Asia”. Retrieved July 11, 2019
  19. ↑ “Supreme Court rules against entry ban for Korean-American singer” “Yonhap News Agency”. Retrieved July 11, 2019
  20. ↑ "Court rules in favor of singer banned from visiting S. Korea". South Korea: Yonhap News Agency. November 2019.
  21. ↑ Park, Jun-hee (2023-11-30). "Disgraced Korean-American singer wins suit over visa denial". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  22. ↑ Shin, Min-hee (2024-04-02). "Steve Yoo speaks out on 22 years away from Korea". Korea JoongAng Daily . Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  23. 1 2 "K-Pop Album Sales Volume". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
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  26. ↑ "August 1999 K-Pop Album Sales Volume". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2016-10-12. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  27. ↑ "March 2000 K-Pop Album Sales Volume". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
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  29. ↑ "October 2001 K-Pop Album Sales Volume". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
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