Steve Yoo (Yoo Seung-jun), a singer who has been banned from entering South Korea for over 20 years due to allegations of draft dodging, shared moments with his son and expressed his still complex feelings.
On the 13th, Yoo Seung-jun released a new video on his personal YouTube channel titled ‘Revealing My Son Rowan (Ji-an) Who Looks Just Like Yoo Seung-jun | Said to Be More Mature and Better than Dad | 100 / 200m Freestyle Race | A Dad Who Only Wants to See His Daughters’.
On this day, Yoo Seung-jun and his wife accompanied their son, who dreams of becoming a swimmer, to a swimming competition. The 100m freestyle preliminaries started first. Yoo Seung-jun’s son expressed a hopeful record of ‘53.59 seconds’, but unfortunately, his final record was 54.87 seconds. He made it to the finals but was disappointed and explained that he had trouble with his turns due to the slippery wall.
In the finals, he aimed for 53.5 seconds, and Yoo Seung-jun wished, “I hope he comes under 53.5 seconds as his strength is refreshed.” His final record improved by 0.4 seconds from the preliminaries, at 54.44 seconds, and he came in second. Yoo Seung-jun and his wife expressed satisfaction at the fact that he broke his record.
The next day, during the 200m freestyle event, his son hoped for a record of 1 minute 57 seconds 79, and his final record was 1 minute 58 seconds 05. He fell short by 0.26 seconds and was disappointed, but Yoo Seung-jun and his wife consoled him by saying, “You did well.” Yoo Seung-jun’s son showed maturity by comforting his mom first, even as Yoo Seung-jun’s wife shed tears.
Along with the video, Yoo Seung-jun expressed his gratitude, saying, “Watching Ji-an always work hard reminds me of my youth. When I was his age, I was rebellious and lost. Not necessarily because he’s good at something, but just seeing him live his life earnestly and sincerely makes me grateful. Back then and now, my loving wife has been by my side. I live today with a heart full of gratitude thanks to my loved ones.”
He continued, “Sometimes my heart breaks due to twisted truths and distorted sincerity. But the reason I muster strength again is also because of my loved ones. Some think I want to go to Korea for commercial activities. I am already very happy and grateful. I pray that all the misunderstandings blocking us will be resolved, but even as things stand now, I am living a more than sufficient life. Thank you and I love you.”
Meanwhile, Yoo Seung-jun debuted in 1997 and gained significant popularity but became embroiled in a draft dodging controversy after obtaining U.S. citizenship following his departure from Korea for overseas performances prior to mandatory military service in 2002.
As a result, the Ministry of Justice banned his entry under Article 11, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Control Act. He has since applied for an overseas Korean (F-4) visa three times but was denied each time by the Los Angeles Consulate General.
Recently, Yoo Seung-jun won his third lawsuit regarding visa issuance, but whether he can enter Korea remains uncertain.
[Photo] YouTube video capture, SNS