Yoo Seung-jun’s Music Video Generates Buzz

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Exiled singer Yoo Seung-jun's new music video is generating a buzz among netizens.

Yoo, who is still banned from entering Korea after dodging military enlistment, is trying to make a comeback in the music scene.

Even without much promotion, Yoo's music video for the first single ``My World'' is creating a stir. Since it was first posted on Daum's Tvpot Web site on Nov. 14, the music video has been viewed 100,000 times, has been recommended by 1,000 viewers and has attracted 4,000 comments.

MTV Korea on Tuesday aired an episode of ``Ultimate'' about the 31-year old singer, who recently released his first album in six years, ``Rebirth of YSJ.'' The show traced Yoo's career from his debut until now, and discussed whether he can still make a comeback in Korea.

Yoo was once a star in the K-pop scene. Born in Seoul, he grew up in the United States and moved back to Korea to make his debut as a singer in 1997. He won over fans with his singing and dancing abilities. His album ``West Side,'' which was a hit, followed with five other albums.

In 2002, he avoided enlistment to the military when he went to the U.S. to become a naturalized American citizen. The government considered this as ``military desertion'' and has banned Yoo from entering Korea. Many fans had also turned against Yoo.

Since then, Yoo has married and is pursuing a music career in China. His latest album has been released in 10 Asian countries, including China, Hong Kong. Taiwan and Mongolia.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr, asianfanatics.net