Composer Yoon Il-sang Reflects on Yoo Seung-jun's 'American Heart' and Unfulfilled Apology

Composer Yoon Il-sang speculated that singer Yoo Seung-jun's true intentions were always geared towards the United States, reminiscing that his popularity at the time surpassed today's top idols.

In a recent YouTube video from the channel ‘Producer Yoon Il-sang,’ intriguing behind-the-scenes stories from Yoo Seung-jun's debut era were revealed. Yoon recalled producing Yoo's debut album, sharing the anecdote of the title track changing from ‘I Love You, Noona’ to ‘Scissors’ due to the implementation of the ‘Yoon Il-sang Quota System.’ He emphasized that Yoo was the first artist he personally wanted to produce, and his fame then was so immense that comparing it to G-Dragon wouldn't suffice.

Furthermore, Yoon assessed that while Yoo Seung-jun leaned towards West Coast hip-hop, diverging from Korean rap trends, he adapted exceptionally well. He noted that Yoo’s personal demeanor was amiable, yet he maintained a distance in non-musical matters, seemingly always having his heart set on America. Yoon further surmised that Yoo viewed Korea as a place for business and believed his true home was the U.S., leading him to make an irreversible decision.

Yoon Il-sang pointed out the necessity for a sincere apology from Yoo Seung-jun regarding his broken promises to the public. He expressed a strong sense of betrayal towards the nation, stating that while he holds no personal grudges, Yoo’s actions as an entertainer were clearly wrong, and the process of apology hasn't even begun.

Yoo Seung-jun debuted in 1997 with his first album 'West Side', creating a significant sensation in the Korean music industry. He quickly rose to stardom with his groundbreaking dance and performances. However, facing conscription, he obtained U.S. citizenship, sparking controversy over draft evasion and subsequently leading to a ban on his entry into Korea.