Yoo Seung-jun
Yoo Seung-jun | |
Hangul | 유승준 |
---|---|
Hanja | 劉承俊 |
Revised Romanization | Yu Seungjun |
McCune–Reischauer | Yu Sŭngjun |
Yoo Seung-Jun, or Steve Seungjun Yoo, was a popular South Korean pop star of the 1990s. He is noted for his high-energy dancing style and singing ability.
Early life
Yoo Seung-Jun was born on December 15 1976, in Seoul, South Korea. He moved to the United States as a child where he grew up. He attended Sunny Hills High School and in school, Yoo Seung Jun experienced discrimination and did poorly as he was related to gang activity and drugs. He eventually overcame his problems, and started singing in the choir of a church. While serving in the choir of his church, he found his expertise in singing and dancing, so he began to video tape and make demos of his rapping and dancing moves.
Career
In 1996, he started filming himself singing and dancing, and sent these videos to Brothers Entertainment where he was scouted. He was sent to Korea and debuted as a singer in 1997. His first album West Side was an instant hit with the song Gawi. He went on to release 5 more albums and also started a career in television.
Controversy
In South Korea, all males must attend an obligatory 2 year service in the military. Yoo Seung-Jun claimed on national television that he would fulfill his military duties. But in 2002, just before he was to be enlisted, Seung-Jun fled to the United States to become a U.S citizen. As a result, the South Korean government considered his actions as an act of military desertion, and he was permanently banned from Korea. The public was also shocked at his actions, and his fame plummeted. He was later allowed to visit Korea for a short period to attend his father-in-law's funeral.
Yoo Seung-Jun currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He married his childhood friend Christine Oh. Yoo Seung-Jun is continuing his music career in China and Taiwan.
Discography
Albums
- 1 - WEST SIDE (1997)
- 2 - 1998 V2 for SALE (1998)
- 3 - Now Or Never (1999)
- 4 - OVER AND OVER (1999)
- Gold Techno Remix (2000)
- 5 - Summit Revival / 고지탈환 (2000)
- 6 - Infinity (2001)
- BEST & J DUET COLLECTION (2001)
- Promise to Jun (2006)
- 7 - "Rebirth of YSJ/리버스 오브 와이에스제이" (2007)