"Have You Kept Every Promise?"... Yoo Seungjun Announces Return to YouTube

Yoo Seungjun Announces Return to YouTube
"Ready to Share and Communicate Small Parts of My Life"

Singer Yoo Seungjun (Steve Yoo), who has been unable to set foot in Korea for 23 years due to allegations of draft evasion, has announced his return to YouTube. However, the majority of netizens are responding coldly.

Singer Yoo Seungjun. Yoo Seungjun YouTube

On August 17, a video titled "Yoo Seung Jun Comeback? BREAKING NEWS! Yoo Seung Jun aka YSJ has returned?" was uploaded to Yoo Seungjun's official YouTube channel.

Yoo Seungjun greeted viewers by saying, "I've missed you a lot. I hope you've all been well. It's been such a long time since I've said hello." He added, "From now on, I plan to share small parts of my life with you and communicate with everyone through YouTube. I ask for your love and support."

In the video, Yoo Seungjun also expressed his dissatisfaction with the criticism directed at him. He said, "I don't even know you, so how could you possibly know me?" and continued, "Who are you to judge me? Do you keep all of your promises?"

He went on to say, "I started with nothing and made it this far. Looking back, I wonder if I really lost that much. In a way, it's a miracle that I've endured until now." He emphasized, "I can't give up on my dreams just yet because my unfulfilled dreams and passion haven't faded. Life is too short."

Singer Yoo Seungjun. Yoo Seungjun YouTube

The majority of netizens who watched the video responded coldly, saying things like, "Even if you don't keep promises, you should at least obey the law," "Mistakes have weight," "Military service is a duty, not a promise," and "Don't blame others when you kick away your own overflowing talent and potential."

Yoo Seungjun, who debuted in 1997 and enjoyed nationwide popularity, became embroiled in controversy over draft evasion in 2002 when he renounced his Korean citizenship and acquired U.S. citizenship just before his enlistment. As a result, the Ministry of Justice banned his entry into Korea under Article 11, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Control Act. Since then, he has applied for the Overseas Korean (F-4) visa three times, but was denied each time by the Consulate General in Los Angeles.

Recently, some netizens claiming to be "Yoo Seungjun fans" sparked controversy by demanding his entry into Korea be allowed, using Liberation Day pardons as a pretext. In response, Yoo Seungjun clarified, "I have never wanted a pardon. The statement was submitted by someone I don't even know."