Lee Seung-chul Reveals He Still Cannot Enter Japan After Past Incident

On the November 25 episode of the show '짠한형' (Sad Brother), singer Lee Seung-chul shared his shocking experience of being denied entry into Japan, revealing that he still cannot visit the country. During the broadcast, Lee reminisced about his early days in the music industry, recalling how he was once told that he could not wear a crop top or sunglasses while performing. He humorously recounted a time when he was a long-haired college student participating in the Kangbyeon Song Festival, where he was promised a spot in the finals if he cut his hair. Despite his reluctance, he eventually complied but felt unfairly eliminated, noting that even the band Resurrection faced similar setbacks due to their professionalism overshadowing the innocence of college students.

When asked by host Shin Dong-yup if he had always been a good singer, Lee responded that he was told as a child not to sing like an adult. He even entertained the audience by performing a ballad version of the children's song 'School Bell Rings'.

Lee also reflected on his first encounter with Shin Dong-yup during the show '꾸러기 천국' (Kiddie Paradise), recalling the struggles they both faced in their early careers. Shin Dong-yup reminisced about how he recognized Lee's potential even back in 1992, expressing satisfaction with their journey.

The conversation took a serious turn when Shin Dong-yup inquired about Lee's current status regarding travel to Japan. Lee Seung-chul was denied entry at a Japanese airport in 2014 after performing in Dokdo on Liberation Day, where he sang a song with a North Korean defector choir and conducted a rendition of 'Holo Arirang'. This incident was part of Japan's ongoing retaliatory measures against South Korean artists involved in activities related to Dokdo. Lee was detained for four hours before being sent back to Korea.

Reflecting on the incident, Lee stated, "When I sang about unification, I performed alone at the UN and even at Harvard, but when I went to Japan afterward, issues arose. It was a sensitive time." He indicated that he still faces restrictions on entering Japan.

Despite the challenges, Lee humorously noted that he often uses Japanese words, prompting Shin Dong-yup to joke about whether he was doing so intentionally due to his travel restrictions. Lee responded playfully, saying, "I use Japanese to feel like I'm in Japan," and added that in rural areas, people still regard him as a patriot.