Steve Yoo, also known as Yoo Seung Jun, has returned to YouTube after a four-year hiatus, announcing his comeback by sharing his daily life with his family. Despite his efforts to reconnect with the public, the response remains frosty.
On October 17, Yoo uploaded a video titled 'Yoo Seung Jun Comeback? BREAKING NEWS! Yoo Seung Jun aka YSJ has returned?' on his YouTube channel, marking his first upload since May 2021. The video, featuring Yoo with his wife, son, and twin daughters, surpassed 120,000 views in just two days, and his channel now boasts over 80,000 subscribers.
Yoo expressed his desire to share parts of his life and reconnect with his audience through YouTube, asking for support and understanding. He stated, "I don't know you, and you don't know me. Who are you to judge? Do you keep all your promises? I can't give up because my dreams and passion are still alive."
His candid remarks have drawn criticism from netizens, with comments such as "I don't want to see his face," "He fled to avoid the law and now talks about promises," and "He deceived the nation and now wants a comeback."
Before releasing the video, Yoo had already stirred controversy by expressing discomfort over fans demanding his pardon. He clarified on social media, "I never asked for a pardon, nor do I know who submitted the statement. I only wanted to restore my honor by returning to Korea."
Born in Seoul in 1976, Yoo immigrated to the U.S. in 1989. He returned to Korea in 1996 to pursue a music career, releasing his debut album 'West Side' in 1997. Yoo enjoyed immense popularity until 2002 when he left for the U.S. and acquired American citizenship, thereby avoiding mandatory military service in Korea. This led to his downfall, and the Ministry of Justice banned his entry into Korea.
Despite 23 years passing, Yoo continues to seek entry into Korea. He applied for an overseas Korean visa at the LA Consulate in 2015 but was denied three times. In March this year, he filed another lawsuit against the Ministry of Justice and the LA Consulate, but the ministry maintained that his entry could harm national interests and public welfare. Yoo is currently involved in his third lawsuit.
While Yoo attempts a comeback, the fact remains that he avoided military service and is legally barred from entering Korea. Given the sensitivity of military service in Korean society, the backlash against his return is perhaps inevitable.
Reported by Se Yoon Jung, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr