Singer and actor Park Yoochun, who was effectively pushed out of the Korean entertainment industry due to controversies surrounding drug use and tax evasion, has recently reappeared in the public eye.
Recent posts on X show Park Yoochun interacting with his Japanese fans in video clips and photos. One fan shared footage of Park and his brother, Park Yuhwan, spotted together at Tokyo Tower on February 9.
Park Yoochun attended a mini fan meeting following a photo exhibition at the iconic landmark on that day.
In the footage, Park Yoochun sports a relaxed, makeup-free look. He is dressed in a white turtleneck sweater paired with a black padded jacket. His hair is noticeably longer, with his bangs swept to the side, and he appears to have gained a bit of weight in his face.
Park Yoochun is seen signing autographs with a white marker and smiling brightly at his fans, repeatedly saying “Arigato” (thank you). He seems much more upbeat compared to his previous public appearances.
Park Yoochun made his debut in 2004 as a member of the K-pop group TVXQ, becoming widely popular with hits like “Hug,” “The Way U Are,” “Rising Sun,” and “Mirotic.” After leaving TVXQ, he formed JYJ with former members Kim Jaejoong and Kim Junsu in 2010. The trio found success in both music and acting, with Park gaining significant popularity through dramas such as Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Rooftop Prince, and Missing You.
However, in 2019, Park Yoochun found himself in legal trouble. He was indicted on charges of methamphetamine use alongside his then-girlfriend, Hwang Hana. In 2020 he was sentenced to 10 months, with a two-year probation period.
During the scandal, Park held a press conference where he vehemently denied the drug use allegations, asserting his innocence and stating, “If I did drugs, I would retire from entertainment.” However, a subsequent positive drug test confirmed the allegations, sparking widespread controversy.
In 2021, Park Yoochun reversed his decision to retire and began showing signs of resuming his career. However, he made headlines again in December 2022 when he was included in South Korea’s National Tax Service’s list of high-profile and habitual tax delinquents.
It was revealed that Park Yoochun had failed to pay 400.9 million won (approximately $278,800) in taxes, including capital gains tax and other charges, since 2016.
Since then, Park has primarily focused his activities overseas, continuing to engage with his international fanbase.
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