Yoo Seung Jun
Encyclopedia
Yoo Seungjun, also known as Steve Yoo, is a former Korean American
pop star, whose career in South Korea
ended in 2002 due to controversies around his mandatory military service
. He was noted for his high-energy dancing style, rapping, and singing ability.
, South Korea
. His family moved to the United States when he was thirteen, and where he resides in Buena Park, California
. He attended Sunny Hills High School
. 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.
. 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 that he has no plans to return. Yoo was later allowed to visit South Korea for a short period to attend his father-in-law's funeral.
In 2007, he released his 7th album Yoo Seungjun Vol. 7 - Rebirth of YSJ produced specifically in mind for fans who stood by him through the highs and the lows of his career. The album was produced under the collaboration of production teams from U.S., China, and Korea. He released various 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, Steve Yoo signed a 15-year contract with Jackie Chan
's entertainment management company to become an actor. He has since been attempting to establish a name for himself in Mainland China, while continuing his singing and acting career.
In February 2010, Yoo made his movie debut in Jackie Chan
's Little Big Soldier
as Prince Wen.
Korean American
Korean Americans are Americans of Korean descent, mostly from South Korea, with a small minority from North Korea...
pop star, whose career in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
ended in 2002 due to controversies around his mandatory military service
Conscription in South Korea
Conscription, or mandatory military service or compulsory national service, is legislated in South Korea, with military service stated as one of the Four Constitutional Duties for all citizens...
. He was noted for his high-energy dancing style, rapping, and singing ability.
Early life
Yoo born on December 15, 1976, in SeoulSeoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. His family moved to the United States when he was thirteen, and where he resides in Buena Park, California
Buena Park, California
Buena Park is a city in northwestern Orange County, California. As of Census 2010 the population was 80,530. The city is adjacent to the city of Anaheim and is 12 miles northwest of downtown Santa Ana. The Current OMB metropolitan designation for Buena Park and the Orange County Area is "Santa...
. He attended Sunny Hills High School
Sunny Hills High School
Sunny Hills High School is a public high school located in Fullerton, California, USA. Established in 1959, it is part of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District....
. 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.
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. 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. Many consider this album as the most successful of his career, as it won him Best Artist of the Year in multiple award ceremonies. In 1999, he went on to release his third album Now Or Never, which contained the hit single "Passion". 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. In 2001, he released the single "Wow".2002: Deportation controversy
Yoo had repeatedly stated on television that he would fulfill his mandatory military serviceConscription in South Korea
Conscription, or mandatory military service or compulsory national service, is legislated in South Korea, with military service stated as one of the Four Constitutional Duties for all citizens...
. 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 that he has no plans to return. Yoo was later allowed to visit South Korea for a short period to attend his father-in-law's funeral.
Post-deportation
Yoo resides in Los Angeles, California, with his wife, Christine Oh, and their newborn baby. Several years after the military enrollment controversy brought an end to his singing career in South Korea, Yoo began a music career in Mainland China, hoping to regain his popularity through different demographics. In an attempt to salvage his career, Yoo begged for forgiveness by appearing on national television show "tvN" to justify his actions. However, it met with little success in swaying public opinion.In 2007, he released his 7th album Yoo Seungjun Vol. 7 - Rebirth of YSJ produced specifically in mind for fans who stood by him through the highs and the lows of his career. The album was produced under the collaboration of production teams from U.S., China, and Korea. He released various 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
Bret Easton Ellis
Bret Easton Ellis is an American novelist and short story writer. His works have been translated into 27 different languages. He was regarded as one of the so-called literary Brat Pack, which also included Tama Janowitz and Jay McInerney...
's novel Less Than Zero. In June 2008, Steve Yoo signed a 15-year contract with Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
's entertainment management company to become an actor. He has since been attempting to establish a name for himself in Mainland China, while continuing his singing and acting career.
In February 2010, Yoo made his movie debut in Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
's Little Big Soldier
Little Big Soldier
Little Big Soldier is a 2010 action comedy film directed by Ding Sheng and produced and written by Jackie Chan, also starring Chan and Leehom Wang. The film was produced with a budget of US$25 million and filmed between January 2009 and April 2009 in filming spots of Yunnan, China...
as Prince Wen.
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/리버스 오브 와이에스제이" (2007)