BRIAN JOO

Birth name Brian Gintaek Joo,
Joo Jin-taek (주진택)
Also known as Brian G. Joo,
Brian Minkyu Joo,
Joo Min-kyoo (주민규)
Born January 10, 1981 (age 30)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Origin New Jersey & Seoul
Genres R&B, Pop
Occupations Singer, TV host
Years active 1999 – present
Labels Jellyfish Entertainment[1]
(2010–present),
PFull Entertainment
(2004–2010),
SM Entertainment
(1999–2004)
Associated acts Jade Villalon,
SM Town,
Hwanhee,
Fly to the Sky

BIOGRAPHY

Joo was born in Los Angeles, 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.[citation needed]

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.