Brian Joo
Encyclopedia
Brian Joo better known as simply Brian, is a Korean-American
R&B
, K-pop
singer where he is known as a member of R&B duo Fly to the Sky
. His solo album, The Brian
was released in December 2006. His 2nd solo album, Manifold was released in December 2009.
He had two birth names as Brian Gintaek Joo for American, and Joo Jin-taek for Korean. Later he changed his each real name to Brian Minkyu Joo for American, and Joo Min-kyoo for Korean.
, California
to Korean immigrants. The family later moved to Absecon, New Jersey
. Joo was raised with a strict Korean upbringing, and learned to speak Korean and adhere to Korean customs. Brian's older brother, Jason, and their parents are employed at casinos in Atlantic City
.
While attending Holy Spirit High School, a friend signed him up for an audition with Brothers Entertainment without Joo's acknowledgement. The company has discovered several Korean-Americans who wish to pursue an entertainment career in South Korea. After several months of training, he was sent to SM Entertainment
in South Korea, and on December 9, 1999, made his debut as one of the two members of Fly to the Sky
, along with Hwanhee, at the age of 17.
Joo later went on to attend Rutgers University
, but only completed a single year. Attending school in the States while simultaneously being a recording artist in Korea became too demanding, and Joo decided to cease his education in the States and go to South Korea. While back in Seoul, Joo enrolled in Dongguk University
, where he graduated from the Department of Theatre and Film.
. As Fly to the Sky made its musical transition from bubblegum pop to heavy R&B, Joo felt discontent and inferior, and felt that Hwanhee was more appreciated for his vocal skills.
Joo has appeared on television many times. Since 2005, he has appeared on a number of variety shows, including hosting MBC's Music Core in 2006 and becoming a host for SBS's Green Gold in 2009.
In August 2009, Fly to the Sky decided to work on separate projects and have become solo singers under different labels.
, and jazz
. With this album, Joo hoped to gain more respect as an artist, rather than being known as "Fly to the Sky without Fany". He describes the reason for the solo album as,
Originally, the album was to be fully recorded in English.; due to lack of time, however, all tracks are in Korean, excluding the English track "All I Know". Joo performed his first single, "가지마" (Don't Go), on Mnet Countdown on December 7. He released three songs from the album to music website Melon.com. Released on December 18, the album debuted at #7 behind TVXQ
and sold 15,376 copies in the first month. On January 21, "가지마" (Don't Go) was selected as the "Mutizen Song" on SBS Inkigayo. Due to hectic schedule, Joo has been suffering from vocal fold nodule
.
Joo is interested in pursuing an acting career, and said his dream was to be a star in Hollywood. Brian is interested in breaking into the American music industry, as Rain and Se7en are doing, but is waiting for the right opportunity.
Most recently, Joo starred (as himself) in the English segment of the mini-series, Homey Korean, presented by Arirang. Joo - along with co-star and real life friend, Chris Pemberton - teach basic Korean language as well as discuss the culture, landmarks, popular tourist sites, and daily life of Korea to English-speaking foreigners.
Recently, Joo made a cover version of Jason Derülo
's "In My Head
".
In June 2011, Joo went on a solo US Tour. The UNVEILED Tour was held in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Opening act included LA based electro-pop group IAMMEDIC
.
. Because of Joo's American citizenship, guest Hyun Jin-Young asked for his opinion regarding this matter. In response, Joo stated that while the American soldier must be brought to justice, he did not want relations between Korea and the United States, his home country, to become strained. His comments were reported as "You can't talk badly about the United States in front of me.. I'm an American. Please only hate the American soldiers (responsible for the incident)." (내 앞에서 미국에 대해 나쁘게 얘기하면 안 된다. 나는 미국인이다. (사건을 일으킨) 미군 부대만 싫어해달라)
Joo's statement was met with harsh criticism and backlash. Not long after the airing he posted a statement on the website of 1010 Club, in an attempt to clarify his position:
Korean American
Korean Americans are Americans of Korean descent, mostly from South Korea, with a small minority from North Korea...
R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
, K-pop
K-pop
K-pop is a musical genre consisting of electropop, hip hop, pop, rock, and R&B music originating in South Korea...
singer where he is known as a member of R&B duo Fly to the Sky
Fly to the Sky
Fly to the Sky was a South Korean R&B duo, consisting of Korean American Brian Joo and South Korean native Hwanhee.Initially marketed as a duo that can sing, rap, and dance, their early works featured bubblegum pop and upbeat techno music. The duo later changed their image and style with the...
. His solo album, The Brian
The Brian
The Brian is the first solo album from Brian Joo . Originally scheduled for release in November, it was postponed until December 18....
was released in December 2006. His 2nd solo album, Manifold was released in December 2009.
He had two birth names as Brian Gintaek Joo for American, and Joo Jin-taek for Korean. Later he changed his each real name to Brian Minkyu Joo for American, and Joo Min-kyoo for Korean.
Early life
Joo was born in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to Korean immigrants. The family later moved to Absecon, New Jersey
Absecon, New Jersey
Absecon is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 8,411.What is now the City of Absecon was originally incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 29, 1872, from portions of Egg Harbor...
. Joo was raised with a strict Korean upbringing, and learned to speak Korean and adhere to Korean customs. Brian's older brother, Jason, and their parents are employed at casinos in Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
.
While attending Holy Spirit High School, a friend signed him up for an audition with Brothers Entertainment without Joo's acknowledgement. The company has discovered several Korean-Americans who wish to pursue an entertainment career in South Korea. After several months of training, he was sent to SM Entertainment
SM Entertainment
S.M. Entertainment is an independent Korean record label, talent agency, producer, and publisher of pop music, founded by Lee Soo-man in South Korea...
in South Korea, and on December 9, 1999, made his debut as one of the two members of Fly to the Sky
Fly to the Sky
Fly to the Sky was a South Korean R&B duo, consisting of Korean American Brian Joo and South Korean native Hwanhee.Initially marketed as a duo that can sing, rap, and dance, their early works featured bubblegum pop and upbeat techno music. The duo later changed their image and style with the...
, along with Hwanhee, at the age of 17.
Joo later went on to attend Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
, but only completed a single year. Attending school in the States while simultaneously being a recording artist in Korea became too demanding, and Joo decided to cease his education in the States and go to South Korea. While back in Seoul, Joo enrolled in Dongguk University
Dongguk University
Dongguk University is a private, coeducational university in South Korea. It operates campuses in Seoul, in Gyeongju City, North Gyeongsang province and in Los Angeles, United States...
, where he graduated from the Department of Theatre and Film.
Fly to the Sky
Joo was a member of Fly to the Sky with Hwanhee, Brian sang and also rappedRapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
. As Fly to the Sky made its musical transition from bubblegum pop to heavy R&B, Joo felt discontent and inferior, and felt that Hwanhee was more appreciated for his vocal skills.
Joo has appeared on television many times. Since 2005, he has appeared on a number of variety shows, including hosting MBC's Music Core in 2006 and becoming a host for SBS's Green Gold in 2009.
In August 2009, Fly to the Sky decided to work on separate projects and have become solo singers under different labels.
Solo career
During September 2006, Joo announced that the release of his debut solo album, The Brian. Originally scheduled for released in November 2006, the album was postponed to December. The album incorporated diverse genres such as classic pop, soulSoul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
. With this album, Joo hoped to gain more respect as an artist, rather than being known as "Fly to the Sky without Fany". He describes the reason for the solo album as,
Originally, the album was to be fully recorded in English.; due to lack of time, however, all tracks are in Korean, excluding the English track "All I Know". Joo performed his first single, "가지마" (Don't Go), on Mnet Countdown on December 7. He released three songs from the album to music website Melon.com. Released on December 18, the album debuted at #7 behind TVXQ
TVXQ
TVXQ, an acronym for Tong Vfang Xien Qi , is a South Korean pop group formed in 2003 under SM Entertainment. In South Korea they are known as Dong Bang Shin Ki , often abbreviated by international fans as DBSK; they were later introduced in Japan as Tohoshinki under the Avex sub-label Rhythm Zone...
and sold 15,376 copies in the first month. On January 21, "가지마" (Don't Go) was selected as the "Mutizen Song" on SBS Inkigayo. Due to hectic schedule, Joo has been suffering from vocal fold nodule
Vocal fold nodule
A vocal cord nodule is a mass of tissue that grows on the vocal folds . Typically, this mass will appear on the junction of the anterior and middle two-thirds of the vocal fold, where contact is most forceful....
.
Joo is interested in pursuing an acting career, and said his dream was to be a star in Hollywood. Brian is interested in breaking into the American music industry, as Rain and Se7en are doing, but is waiting for the right opportunity.
Most recently, Joo starred (as himself) in the English segment of the mini-series, Homey Korean, presented by Arirang. Joo - along with co-star and real life friend, Chris Pemberton - teach basic Korean language as well as discuss the culture, landmarks, popular tourist sites, and daily life of Korea to English-speaking foreigners.
Recently, Joo made a cover version of Jason Derülo
Jason Derulo
Jason Joel Desrouleaux , better known by his stage name Jason Derülo, is an American singer-songwriter, actor and dancer. After producing records for several artists and writing songs for Cash Money Records, co-founder of the label Birdman, Young Money Entertainment owner Lil Wayne and rapper...
's "In My Head
In My Head (Jason Derülo song)
"In My Head" is a song performed by American R&B singer Jason Derülo as the second single released from his self-titled debut album, Jason Derülo. It was first released via digital download on December 9, 2009. It topped the charts in Australia and the United Kingdom, and reached the top ten in...
".
In June 2011, Joo went on a solo US Tour. The UNVEILED Tour was held in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Opening act included LA based electro-pop group IAMMEDIC
IAMMEDIC
IAMMEDIC is an Electro Pop band originally formed in 2010 by leader, Enik Lin as a solo side project following the dissolution of his previous band and enlisted former Burning Tree Project co-member Andre Harris, and life long friend Danny Park. The band got its name from Lin’s personal struggles...
.
Fly to the Sky
| Year | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Day by Day Day by Day (Fly to the Sky album) Day by Day is a debut album by Fly to the Sky. Hit singles from this single include the eponymous track and 내겐 너무 예쁜 그대. The album also featured In My Dream which was a collaboration with H.O.T..-Track listing:#Intro#In My Dream... |
6 |
| 2001 | The Promise The Promise (Fly to the Sky album) The Promise was the second studio album released by R&B duo Fly to the Sky. Like the debut album, the album included poppy ballads and upbeat dance tracks. Hits from this album includes "The Promise" and "Maybe God Knows." As a bonus track, the remix of "The Promise" is also included in the album.... |
2 |
| 2002 | Sea of Love | 2 |
| 2003 | Missing You Missing You (Fly to the Sky album) Missing You is the fourth studio album released by South Korean duo Fly to the Sky. The album also featured collaborations with The TRAX. The album charted for long seven months. The album was released few days after their manager's death from a car accident... |
2 |
| 2004 | Gravity Gravity (Fly to the Sky album) Gravity is a 2004 studio album by Fly to the Sky. This became their fifth and last studio album released under SM Entertainment as their contract expired soonafter the release of this album. For the first time in their career, the duo wrote the lyrics for their songs... |
5 |
| 2006 | Transition Transition (Fly to the Sky album) Transition is a 2006 studio album by Fly to the Sky. This is the first studio album under PFull Entertainment, Fly to the Sky's second record label.-Overview:... |
3 |
| 2007 | No Limitations | 1 |
| 2009 | Decennium | 1 |
TV shows
- 2008 Family Outing (Guest ep 3 & 4) - SBS
- 2011 "Strong Heart" (Guest)
Controversy
Joo's ties to the United States stirred controversy in 2002, when Fly to the Sky was the host of the radio show "1010 Club". At that time, the death of two teenage Korean girls in the Highway 56 Accident caused a surge in anti-American sentiment in KoreaAnti-American sentiment in Korea
The Anti-Americanism in Korea began with the earliest contact between the two nations and continued after the division of Korea. In both North Korea and South Korea, anti-Americanism after the Korean War has focused on the presence and behavior of American military personnel , aggravated especially...
. Because of Joo's American citizenship, guest Hyun Jin-Young asked for his opinion regarding this matter. In response, Joo stated that while the American soldier must be brought to justice, he did not want relations between Korea and the United States, his home country, to become strained. His comments were reported as "You can't talk badly about the United States in front of me.. I'm an American. Please only hate the American soldiers (responsible for the incident)." (내 앞에서 미국에 대해 나쁘게 얘기하면 안 된다. 나는 미국인이다. (사건을 일으킨) 미군 부대만 싫어해달라)
Joo's statement was met with harsh criticism and backlash. Not long after the airing he posted a statement on the website of 1010 Club, in an attempt to clarify his position:
His agency & record label websites
- Brothers Entertainment - Official Website (company that discovered Brian)
- SM Entertainment - Official Website (1999–2004)
- PFull Entertainment - Official Website (2004–2010)
- Jellyfish Entertainment - Official Website (2010–present)