WBW: Yoo Seung Jun – “Passion”

Yoo Seung Jun (Steve Yoo)is one of the most popular, controversial, and disgraced singers in the history of K-pop. The guy was one of the biggest stars with multiple hit songs, an army of fans, and the highest levels of fame… and then it all came crashing down, much like the banishment ofRomeofrom Verona. I won’t go into the details regarding his excommunication from Korea (you can read more about that here onan allkpop article from 2011) but needless to say it’s a sad tale and one that I hope will have a happy ending.

But enough with the depressing stuff. During his prime, Yoo Seung Jun was churning out hit after hit and really good music including a massive success that went to the top of the charts for the first week of May (and stayed there for two more) back in 1999. “Passion” was the title single of his third album ‘Now or Never’ and for me, the song is among the top three biggest songs of his career along with “Nightmares” and “Na Na Na“. The song is vintage Yoo Seung Jun with the high powered dance beats (the guy could really move), staccato raps, smooth choruses, and an over-the-top music video that makes him look like the heroic tough guy.

Today, you’ll find Yoo Seung Jun in China enjoying his second career as afatherandactor(and I guess an amateur body builder because the dude looks like he’s beeneating his Wheatiesevery morning). Good for him that he was able to move on and they say time heals all wounds so maybe he’ll be back in K-pop again some day.

Yo, one-triple nine!! Can y’all hear me out there?!