Steve Yoo's Surprise Musical Comeback Sparks Controversy Amidst Ongoing Visa Lawsuit
Steve Yoo (Yoo Seung-jun, 49), who has been banned from entering South Korea for 23 years due to draft evasion allegations, has reignited controversy by making a surprise musical appearance.
This comes as his third visa application lawsuit has moved to the appellate court, indicating a continued legal battle. His decision to participate in a domestic artist's album while his entry ban remains in effect has led to reactions of him going his 'own way'.
#. Seoul Consulate Appeals After Losing First Visa Lawsuit
The Consulate General of Korea in Los Angeles has appealed the district court's decision that ruled in favor of Yoo Seung-jun in his lawsuit seeking to cancel the visa denial.
Previously, the court ruled that the harm Yoo Seung-jun would suffer from the entry ban outweighs the public interest, and that his entry would not pose a safety risk considering the mature public sentiment. The court also stated that the visa denial violated the principle of proportionality and constituted an abuse of discretionary power.
However, the court emphasized that this ruling does not imply his past actions were justifiable. This legal dispute has been ongoing since 2015, with Yoo Seung-jun winning twice in the Supreme Court before the consulate denied his visa again, leading to this third lawsuit.
#. Yoo Seung-jun's First Musical Activity in 7 Years
Amidst the legal proceedings, Yoo Seung-jun participated in 'Home Home,' the final track of rapper JUSTHIS's new album 'LIT,' released on the 20th. Although his name is not listed in the credits, a production video released by JUSTHIS showed Yoo Seung-jun recording the song, with the filename identified as 'Home Home – YSJ – Acapella' (YSJ standing for Yoo Seung Jun).
This marks his first musical activity in approximately seven years, following his 2019 album 'Another Day.' However, immediately after the music release, negative comments flooded in, questioning his participation with a domestic artist while being banned from entry, calling it a 'premeditated comeback for image laundering,' and stating that 'draft evasion remains an unforgivable act.' His activities in this grey area, where entry is prohibited but content participation is possible, have drawn both criticism and bewilderment.
#. Yoo Seung-jun's Entry Ban Continues for 23 Years
Yoo Seung-jun became embroiled in controversy over draft evasion in 2002 when he obtained U.S. citizenship just before his mandatory military service. Consequently, the Ministry of Justice imposed an entry ban on him under Article 11 of the Immigration Act.
Even with his inability to enter the country, his visa lawsuit and musical activities continue. As the appellate court proceedings are underway, attention is focused on how this latest controversy will impact the future ruling.
Korean netizens expressed their disapproval, commenting, 'It's questionable for someone banned from entering the country to collaborate with a Korean artist,' and 'He's trying to wash his image after 7 years, but draft evasion is a serious issue that can't be forgiven.'