Singer Yoo Seung-jun (Steve Yoo) has shared his honest feelings regarding malicious comments, past swearing controversies, and the draft dodging scandal.
On May 13, he uploaded a video to his YouTube channel titled, “Do you still believe I swore? A story Yoo Seung-jun quietly brings up, just one word to those who still curse me.”
In the video, he first spoke about the pain caused by hate comments. “Please, I beg you, stop leaving malicious comments. Even if I have a strong mentality, no one is immune to heartache,” he said. “No matter how much someone deserves criticism, you should never tell them to ‘die’.”
He added, “Celebrities get hurt by those words too. We are the same people. I feel pain and sadness just like you do. No one has the right to speak carelessly to another person.”
However, he noted, “I will accept legitimate criticism and reprimands. I am living through the consequences of my actions, and I believe it is something I must carry for the rest of my life.” He emphasized that “no one can speak carelessly about another person’s life.”
Yoo Seung-jun also addressed the swearing controversy that surfaced during an internet broadcast in 2015. While he faced criticism after swearing was heard just before the broadcast ended, he clarified, “That swearing was not my voice.”
He claimed, “My live broadcast had already ended, and the swearing was aired while the staff’s voices were being picked up. It was the PD’s voice. But I was framed as if I had sworn the moment the camera turned off.” He added, “I’m not trying to appeal for sympathy; I just want to correct the facts.”
Reflecting on his 20s, he confessed, “I was an immature young man who didn’t think things through. Looking back, I think I was quite childish.” He indirectly touched upon the long-standing criticism following the draft dodging scandal, saying, “None of you knew everything in your early 20s either. I was immature too.”
Yoo Seung-jun gained massive popularity starting with his 1997 debut song “Scissors,” followed by hits like “Nanana” and “Passion.” However, he became embroiled in a draft dodging controversy in 2002 after acquiring US citizenship right before his military enlistment, leading to an entry ban by the Ministry of Justice.
He is currently engaged in a long-term legal battle with the government over the issuance of an Overseas Korean (F-4) visa. Despite winning two cases in the Supreme Court, the LA Consulate refused the visa again, and an appeal for the third visa refusal is currently underway.
