Brian Joo
Brian Gintaek Joo (Template:Lang-ko 브라이언 진택 주) (born January 10, 1981), better known as simply Brian, is an American singer active in South Korea, 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.
Early life
Joo was born on January 10 1981 in Los Angeles, California at City Of Angels Hospital to parents of Korean descent. The family later moved to Absecon, New Jersey. He was raised with a strict Korean upbringing, and was taught to speak Korean and adhere to Korean customs.[1]. Brian has one elder brother, Jason, and his parents are dealers at casino's in Atlantic City, NJ.
When he was 16 years old attending Holy Spirit High School, a friend signed him up for an audition with Brothers Entertainment without Joo's knowledge. The company is known for discovering Korean Americans who wish to pursue an entertainment career in South Korea. After several months of training, he was sent to SM Entertainment in Korea, and on December 9, 1999, made his debut as a member of Fly to the Sky, at the age of seventeen. Joo later went on to attend Rutgers University, but only completed his freshman 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 return to Korea. While back in Seoul, Joo enrolled in Dongguk University, where he graduated from the Department of Theatre and Film.[2]
Fly to the Sky
Joo rose to fame in South Korea as a member of Fly to the Sky. Unlike Hwanhee, Joo 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 Fany was more appreciated for his vocal skills.[3] This nearly led to a disbandment of the duo, when Joo suggested that they break up after their first contract expired. This led to a conflict between the two members, though they soon reconciled.
Joo has appeared frequently on television, in particular after their contract with SM Entertainment expired. Since 2005, he has appeared on a number of variety shows. On May 6 2006, Joo became one of two MCs for MBC's "Music Core". This helped Joo gain publicity, and expand his fanbase in ways he could not have in the early days of his career. Months after the release of the duo's sixth album, Joo continued to appear on variety shows such as Xman and Star Golden Bell, and remains the MC of Music Core. Joo has stated that the group's next album may be released in mid-2007.[4]
Solo career
During September 2006, Joo announced that the release of his debut solo album, The Brian.[5] Originally scheduled for released in November 2006, the album was postponed to December. The album incorporates such diverse genres such as classic pop, soul, and jazz. With this album, Joo hopes to gain more respect as an artist, rather than being known as "Fly to the Sky without Fany".[6] He describes the reason for the solo album as,
First of all, I just wanted to do it. I also wanted to show that I could [be successful] as Brian (sic). When (Fly to the Sky) sang, many think Fany is the main vocal, and that I am the second vocal and a rapper. I won't mention his name, but one producer once said to Fany, "You are a really good singer", when he only said "Good job", to me. So I wanted to prove that I could do it too.
Originally, the album was to be fully recorded in English.[8]; due to lack of time, however, all tracks are in Korean, excluding the English track "All I Know". Joo performed his first single, "Gajima" (Don't Go), on Mnet Countdown on December 7.[4] He released three songs from the album to music website Melon.com.[9] Released on December 18th, the album debuted at #7 behind TVXQ and sold 15,376 copies in the first month.[10] On January 21, "Gajima" was selected as the "Mutizen Song" on SBS Inkigayo.[11] Due to hectic schedule, Joo has been suffering from vocal fold nodule.[12]
Joo is interested in pursuing an acting career, and said his dream was to be a star in Hollywood.[13] Brian is interested in breaking into the American music industry, as Rain and Se7en are doing, but is waiting for the right opportunity.
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 murder of two teenage Korean girls by an American soldier stationed in South Korea caused a surge in anti-American sentiment. 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)." (내앞에서 미국에 대해 나쁘게 얘기하면 안된다...나는 미국인이다..(사건을 일으킨) 미군 부대만 싫어해달라)[14]
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.
Discography
Fly to the Sky
| Year | Title | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Day by Day | 6 |
| 2001 | The Promise | 2 |
| 2002 | Sea of Love | 2 |
| 2003 | Missing You | 2 |
| 2004 | Gravity | 5 |
| 2006 | Transition | 3 |
| 2007 | No Limitations |
Solo album
| Brian Joo discography |
|---|
References
- ^ '플라이투더스카이' 브라이언 "난 뼛속까지 한국인" (Brian of Fly to the Sky, "I'm Korean to the bone")
- ^ 브라이언 “대학 못 간거 가장 후회”
- ^ 신화 플라이투더스카이 쥬얼리, 장수비결은?
- ^ a b 브라이언, "솔로 앨범서 올드팝 선보일 것" (Brian to showcase classic pop)
- ^ '솔로 데뷔' 브라이언, "주말쯤 녹음 시작 예정" Brian to start recording solo album
- ^ 브라이언 "환희와의 비교에 우울증" (Brian, "Comparison with Fany led to Depression")
- ^ '솔로데뷔' 브라이언 "나도 할수있다는 것 보여주겠다"
- ^ Garcia, Cathy Rose A. Korea Times. Brian Joo Flies Solo Retrieved January 31, 2007.
- ^ Brian releases songs from his first album!
- ^ Music Industry Association of Korea: December 2006. Retrieved January 16, 2007.
- ^ "Mutizen" is a portmanteau of "music" and "netizen."
- ^ 브라이언, 성대결절 위기..솔로활동 '비상'
- ^ Paran.com 브라이언 “환희와 교제설 나올만 해요” Retrieved January 26, 2007
- ^ 브라이언 '미국에 대해 나쁘게 얘기하면 안된다' 논란..
- ^ Groonet.com 플라이투더스카이 브라이언..."나는 미국인" 발언 구설수 (Brian of Fly to the Sky, "I'm an American" statement controversy) Retrieved December 24, 2006.
External links
- Template:Ko icon PFull Official Website (2004 - present)
- Template:Ko icon Fly to the Sky's official website at ilikepop.com (1999-2004)
- Template:Ko iconInterview with Melon.com
- Template:Myspace
- Brothers Entertainment company that discovered Brian
- Template:En iconThe Korea Times