Brian Joo

Brian Joo (Korean name: Joo Min-gyu (Korean: 주민규); born January 10, 1981), better known professionally as Brian (Korean: 브라이언), is a Korean American singer and one-half of the R&B duo Fly to the Sky. His first solo album, The Brian was released in December 2006. His second solo album, Manifold was released in December 2009.

In this Korean name, the family name is Joo.
Brian Joo
Background information
Born (1981-01-10) January 10, 1981
California, United States
OriginNew Jersey, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
  • Actor
  • Television host
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • Piano
  • Keyboard
  • Drums
Years active1999–present
Labels
Korean name
Hangul
주민규
Revised RomanizationJu Min-gyu
McCune–ReischauerChu Minkyu
Birth name
Hangul
주진택
Revised RomanizationJu Jin-taek
McCune–ReischauerChu Chint'aek

Early life and education

Brian Joo was born on January 10, 1981, in Los Angeles, California to Korean immigrant parents.[2][3] His original Korean name was Joo Jin-taek (Korean: 주진택), but his father changed it to Joo Min-gyu (Korean: 주민규) when he was three years old.[4] Joo grew up in New Jersey and spoke Korean at home.[5][6] His parents worked at casinos in Atlantic City and his brother, Jason Joo, is an officer in the U.S. Navy.

While attending Holy Spirit High School, a friend signed him up for an audition with Brothers Entertainment without Joo's knowledge. 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 was accepted to Rutgers University, but did not end up attending due to the demands of his music career.[7] He later enrolled in Dongguk University, where he graduated from the Department of Theatre and Film.

Fly to the Sky
Main article: Fly to the Sky

Joo is a member of Fly to the Sky with Hwanhee, Brian sang and also rapped. 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.[8]

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' 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.

On April 14, 2014, Brian Joo announced on his Twitter that Fly to the Sky will be making their comeback in May. The band later signed up with H2 Media, the agency of member Hwanhee.[9] Their 9th new album "Continiuum" has been released and the main title track is "You You You".[10] The single peaked at number one on Gaon digital chart.[11]

Although being on hiatus for five years, Hwanhee and Brian expressed their good teamwork and solid friendship in an interview, telling "There were rumors about us being gay and liking men, but it's not like that. We're that close so people feel that way about us".[12]

Solo career

2006-2008: Show! Music Core and solo debut with The Brian

In May 2006, Joo became a co-host of Show! Music Core alongside actress Jang Mi-inae.[13] Later that year, he won the Popularity Award at the 2006 MBC Entertainment Awards for his work on the show.[14]

Joo released his debut solo album, The Brian, on December 18, 2006.[15] The album incorporated diverse genres such as soul and jazz. With the album, Joo said he hoped to gain more respect as an artist, rather than being known as "Fly to the Sky without Hwanhee".[16] He described one of his motivations for making a solo album:

Many people think Hwanhee is the main vocalist [of Fly to the Sky] and I am the second vocalist or rapper. I won't mention his name, but one producer once said to Hwanhee after a performance, "You're truly a great singer", when he only said, "Good job", to me. So I wanted to prove that I could do it too.[17]

The album debuted at #7 on the monthly Recording Industry Association of Korea album chart and sold 15,376 copies by the end of December.[18] The album's lead single, a ballad titled "Don't Go", topped various South Korean real-time music charts upon its release[15] and was awarded first place on Inkigayo on January 21.[19] While promoting the album, Joo was diagnosed with vocal cord nodules and had to adjust his schedule to avoid further injury.[20]

Joo left his position on Show! Music Core in November 2007 to focus on overseas promotions.[21]

2009-2012: Manifold, Unveiled, and musical theater

On December 10, 2009, Joo released his second solo album, Manifold, which sold 15,000 pre-order copies.[22] The album was a departure from Joo's earlier work and featured hip hop and dance music songs, including the lead single "My Girl" featuring hip hop duo Supreme Team.[23][24]

Joo signed an exclusive contract with Jellyfish Entertainment in October 2010.[25]

On April 7, 2011, Joo released his first mini album, Unveiled, including for its lead single an emotional ballad titled "Love Is Over Now".[26] Unveiled debuted at #7 on the Gaon Album Chart.[27] To promote the album, Joo went on a solo tour of the United States in June 2011 with stops in Seattle, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York.[28]

Upon returning to South Korea, Joo made his musical theater debut in August in a Seoul production of Rent, in which he played the role of Mark.[29] In 2012 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, Joo performed as a principal cast member representing the Korean culture in a Broadway-style musical called Loving the Silent Tears and based on Supreme Master Ching Hai's poetry collection to commemorate the 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day.[30][31]

Discography
See also: Fly to the Sky discography

Studio albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[32]
The Brian
  • Released: December 18, 2006
  • Label: PFull Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, cassette
Track listing
  1. 일 년을 겨울에 살아(Living One Year in Winter)
  2. 가지마 (Don't Go)
  3. First Date
  4. 사랑하지 않으니까요(Because I Don't Love You)
  5. 닮아 가기(Becoming Similar)
  6. 하지 말라고
  7. 신사(Gentleman)
  8. 검은 눈물(Black Tear)
  9. 눈물 속으로(Into the Tears)
  10. 바래! 바래! (I Want! I Want!) (feat. 윤동훈 Trepass)
  11. All I know
  12. 바래! 바래! (I Want! I Want!) (Remix)
 —[lower-alpha 1]
Manifold
  • Released: December 10, 2009
  • Label: On Point Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Dreaming
  2. 내 여자 (My Girl) (feat. Supreme Team)
  3. One Step
  4. Erase
  5. Tell Me Baby (feat. Day Day of Dalmatian)
  6. Lock Me Up
  7. Bullet
  8. Move It
  9. 친구의 여자를 사랑했네 (A Friend's Girl I Loved) (feat. Tablo & Mithra Jin)
  10. 눈물이 마르면... (Tears Run Dry)
  11. Do It (Move It English Ver.)
  12. Tears Run Dry (눈물이 마르면... English Ver.)
  13. Bullet (English Ver.)
 9

Extended plays
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[32]
Unveiled
Track listing
  1. Domino (눈물의 구성요소)
  2. Love Is Over Now (사랑하다 끝났어)
  3. Wish You Were Mine (나도 약속이 있었으면 좋겠다)
  4. 24
  5. Song 4 U
  6. Domino (English version)
  7. Love Is Over Now (English version)
  8. Love Is Over Now (Instrumental)
  9. Shine. (On Your Heart_ 단편영화 "출발" OST) (Physical Only) [Bonus Track]
 7
ReBorn Part 1
  • Released: January 26, 2012
  • Label: Jellyfish Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Let This Die (너 따윈 버리고) (feat. Tiger JK)
  2. Can't Stop (feat. Jay Park, Beenzino)
  3. Don't Tell Me I'm Wrong (Duet with Jade Valerie)
  4. Let This Die (Extended English version) (feat. Flowsik)
  5. Can't Stop (English version) (feat. Jay Park, Dumbfoundead)
  6. Domino (Acoustic version)
  7. Let This Die (Instrumental)
 8

Filmography

Television shows
Year Title Role Ref.
2006-2007Show! Music Core Host [13][21]
2009 Strong Heart Regular guest [36]
2014 Welcome Back to School Regular cast [37]
2021 Cooking - The Birth of a Cooking King Contestant [38]

Television series
Year Title Role Ref.
2011 The Greatest Love Kang-min (cameo) [39]
2015 My Beautiful Bride Chaebol man (cameo) [40]
2018Yeonnam-dong 539 Lion [41]

Web series
Year Title Role Ref.
2018 No Choice But to Meet You Brian [42]

Radio shows
Year Title Role Ref.
2022 'K-Pop Connection Special DJ [43]

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 Korea. 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)[44]

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:

Unfortunately, during our program, I might have said something that some people took the wrong way...I wanted to make clear that the people involved with the incident are guilty and should face proper punishment. I also understand that the officers involved said that they were not guilty, which in fact they were. Even if they said that it was an accident, they still caused the accident, and for that should be willing to face what comes to them. That is what I wanted to point out and but, since my KOREAN isn't 100% good, I believe what I said threw a lot of people off I would like to take the time to apologize. Please do not be upset with me for this misunderstanding.[45]

Notes
  1. The Brian peaked at #7 on the Recording Industry Association of Korea's monthly album chart.

References
  1. "브라이언, iMe KOREA와 전속계약 "만능 엔터테이너로 발돋움"". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
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  4. "'퍼펙트 라이프' 브라이언 "가수보다 배우 되고 싶었다…할리우드가 목표"". TV Report (in Korean). September 2, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
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  7. Nguyen, Mai (September 2, 2011). "Just Waiting for the Right Time: An Interview with Brian Joo". Asia Pacific Arts. University of Southern California. Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  8. 신화, 플라이 투 더 스카이, 쥬얼리, 장수 비결은? Archived 2007-10-13 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "플라이 투 더 스카이, 9집 앨범으로 컴백".
  10. Fly to the Sky Returns with “Continuum” on May 20 Soompi.com (April 30, 2014). Retrieved on May 20, 2014.
  11. Gaon Digital Chart Week 22 of 2014 Archived 2014-06-01 at the Wayback Machine Gaon.co.kr (May 2014). Retrieved May 31, 2014
  12. Fly to the Sky: “Rumors That We Are a Couple Are Better than Rumors of Us Fighting” Soompi.com (June 11, 2014). Retrieved on June 15, 2014.
  13. "브라이언-장미인애 '쇼! 음악중심' 시청률 상승세". Star News (in Korean). May 7, 2006. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
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  16. "브라이언 "환희와의 비교에 우울증"". My Daily (in Korean). December 8, 2006. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  17. "'솔로 데뷔' 브라이언, "나도 할 수 있다는 것 보여 주겠다"" (in Korean). December 8, 2006. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  18. "2006. 12월 - 가요음반 판매량". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  19. "브라이언, 솔로데뷔후 첫 '인기가요' 1위 감격". Star News (in Korean). January 21, 2007. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  20. "브라이언, 성대결절 위기..솔로활동 '비상'". Star News (in Korean). February 5, 2007. Archived from the original on February 7, 2007. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  21. "빅뱅 탑, '쇼! 음악중심' 새 MC..브라이언 1년반만에 하차". Star News (in Korean). November 5, 2007. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  22. "브라이언 새 앨범 中사이트 '전곡 유출' 소속사 "경찰 조사중"". Newsen (in Korean). December 9, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  23. "솔로 2집 발표 브라이언 "몸이 느끼는 노래들만 골라 넣었죠"". Dong A Ilbo (in Korean). December 15, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  24. "[오미정의 별의 별 이야기] 두번째 솔로앨범 '매니폴드'로 돌아온 브라이언". Maeil Shinmun (in Korean). January 7, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
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  30. BWW News Desk (August 8, 2012). "Liz Callaway, Debbie Gravitte, Jon Secada and More Set for LOVING THE SILENT TEARS in LA, 10/27". BroadwayWorld.com.
  31. "Loving the Silent Tears... - A New MusicalLoving the Silent Tears… - A New Musical". Loving the Silent Tears... Archived from the original on September 26, 2012.
  32. Gaon Album Chart positions:
  33. "2007. 1월 - 가요음반 판매량". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  34. "2011년 04월 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 23, 2021.
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  38. Yoo Jung-min (November 25, 2021). "브라이언X정세운X김승수, 요섹남들의 숨막히는 대결 ('쿡킹')" [Brian X Jeong Se-woon X Kim Seung-soo, a breathtaking confrontation between sexy men (‘Cooking’)] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2021 – via Naver.
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  41. [공식] 브라이언, 연기자 겸업 선언…'연남동539' 캐스팅 확정. News1 (in Korean). December 20, 2017.
  42. "'만날수밖에없는' 김정남·양정원·브라이언, 폭소 뿜뿜 코믹 케미". Sports Chosun (in Korean). October 31, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  43. Hwang Ji-hyang (April 20, 2022). "플라이투더스카이 브라이언, 영어 라디오방송 스페셜 DJ" [Fly to the Sky Brian, Special DJ for English Radio] (in Korean). NEWSIS. Retrieved April 20, 2022 – via Naver.
  44. 브라이언 '미국에 대해 나쁘게 얘기하면 안 된다' 논란..
  45. Groonet.com 플라이 투 더 스카이 브라이언... "나는 미국인" 발언 구설수 (Brian of Fly to the Sky, "I'm an American" statement controversy) Retrieved December 24, 2006.
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