Yang Joon-il

When he was in Glendale High School in LA, he was persuaded to make a debut as an entertainer by the late Hollywood actor Soon-tek Oh, who was a member to the same church.[9] Yang was a soloist in his high school choir. He took classes at a modeling school to prepare for his debut.[10]

He entered University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.[11] During his studies, he was selected by Lee Bum Hee, who was the famous composer of the day in Korea.[12] Yang dropped out of school to debut as a singer in Korea in 1990. He entered Korea in the same year and studied Korean at the Yonsei Korean Language Institute.

Yang debuted in March 1991 at the age of 21 with the album, "Winter Wonderer(겨울 나그네)". He debuted on the "Rookie Stage" of the MBC's music program "Saturday Night Music Show" performing "Rebecca". The second single was "Help Me Cupid". A few months later, he returned to Los Angeles to work on his 2nd album. His 2nd full length album was released in 1992. He released other hit songs like "Dance with Me Miss" (1992) and "GaNaDaRaMaBaSa" (1992).[4][5][6] Yang also composed most of the songs including "Love Strutter(뚜벅이 사랑)" of Chul Y and Mi Ae(철이와 미애)'s second album.

He was credited as the first pop musician to introduce Korean audiences to the new jack swing genre, was popular in the mid-1980s and early 1990s in the U.S. In 'Back to the Future" in Chul Y and Mi Ae's 2nd album dance pop and Korean traditional music were combined, which was very innovative attempt at the time.

Active in South Korea from 1991 to 1993, he suddenly disappeared from the public scene and returned to the U.S. In a 2019 interview with The Korea Times, he revealed that "he was hated by many for his unusual looks and songs." Some also threw rocks during his performance at an open-air stage. Once, Yang recalled, an audience member faked a handshake to pull him violently down to the ground from the stage, telling him: "You need a beating."[13] While a 10-year visa he held in Korea as a U.S. national had to be recertified every six months, but he was denied an extension to his visa. His nationality as an American also made it hard for him to gain acceptance in South Korea.

On April 17, 2001, he made another debut as JIY, a member of a music band V2, with a third album "Fantasy". V2 meant his "Version 2". He was in active under the name of JIY instead of his real name, Yang Joon-il. He lied about his age and made a big change in his look.[14] He hid his true identity as music producers told him he would not make it again due to his previous controversial image in Korea. His new song "Fantasy", composed by Valery Gaina of Cruise, enjoyed a brief popularity before he finally put an end to his music career. Due to the agency's circumstances, it became impossible to work as a musician and after that he worked as an English teacher for 14 years. In 2015, he returned to the United States. Because of his age, he had a hard time finding work. He worked as a warehouse worker, office cleaner, and restaurant server.

In 2019, he gained attention through JTBC's Two Yoo Project Sugar Man, a program dedicated to finding and rediscovering old singers from the past. He sang "Rebecca", "GaNaDaRaMaBaSa", "Dance With Me Miss", and "Fantasy". Still slim in figure and soulful in his performance, he dazzled the audience and show hosts.[15] When asked his next plans amid this viral syndrome, he simply said: "I don't make any plans; I just focus on fully living every moment. If there's any plans, I hope to live as a humble husband and dad." When the show hosts asked him to give a message to 20-year-old himself living 30 years ago, Yang said: "I know nothing will happen how you want. But don't worry, everything will come out perfectly in the end."[4] After his fame skyrocketed again after his appearance on the show, he quit his job at the restaurant to focus on his entertainment career.[16]

On December 25, Christmas Day, he appeared on JTBC Newsroom. He said "It's like a dream every day", "I've been trying to get rid of my prejudice against myself, which is full of my mind as if I had to abandon my unhappiness before I was happy." "There are no more tears" Yang said, adding that his powerful fandom, which claims to be a support group, is also a big boost to Yang.[17]

On December 31, Yang met with fans through two official fan meeting events. "Are you really here to see me?"he said, tearing up with joy. "This is my first time. I didn't imagine any of this. I'm so grateful."[18] In a press conference at a fan meeting, he revealed that his sole dream of becoming a K-pop star in his 20s was finally accomplished now, at age 50.[19]

Just a few days before the fan meeting he shot a commercial with Lotte Home Shopping[20] for the first time in his life. He spent that money to rent an apartment in Korea.[21]

On January 3 in 2020, Yang created his account on Instagram.jiytime On the 4th, he performed his debut song "Rebecca" on MBC's "Show! Music Core" after 28 years after his debut.[22] Yang appeared himself a fan video, a parody of his own 90's fashion style.interview JTBC's special feature <Sugar Man, Yang Joon-il, 91.19> aired on the 16th and 23rd. The title of the program is meant to commemorate his debut year, 1991 and 2019 when he was recovered.[23]

On February 3, his photo essay [Yang Joon Il Maybe] started a pre-sale. On the first day, over 15,000 copies were pre-sold and it became bestseller. A series of the interviews with the behind-the-scenes of photo shooting for his book was released also.interview-Question From Yang Joon Il On the 9th, Yang opened his official YouTube channel, Official Yang Joon Il. The number of subscribers has spiked up to over 15K in a single day.[24] On Valentine's day, on February 14, [Yang Joon Il Maybe] was officially released.

On March 14, the 100th day anniversary of his re-debut, Yang and choreographer Lia Kim appeared on MBC "Show! Music Core" of the via a collaboration stage. Two of them went on stage with his song "Dance with Me" released in 1992.practice video version[25] On the 16th, Yang was shown as a lecturer on "Sebasi Talk". The title of the lecture was <Message to unhappy people in competition>. It hit 1 million view mark in 2 days.[26]

On April 28, Yang held a Drive-through Fansign Event in Paju Premium Outlet.[27]Drive-thru Fansign

On May 12, his KaKaoTalk emoticons, I Got Yang Joon Il has been launched. On the 15th, Yang Joon Il Maybe: Password of You and I eBook has been released. On the 19th, Yang Joon Il Maybe: Password of You and I Audiobook narrated by Yang Joon Il himself has been released.[28]

Yang signed a contract with Production Lee Whang . According to Production Lee Whang, the agency has formed with Yang's one-man agency XBe and will be in charge of promoting his songs and managing his schedule.[29]

The remastered first and second album on vinyl LP are pre-sold from August 5 to 19 and released in October.[30] Yang and Shinsegae International's collaboration goods are sold in limited quantities starting august 17th.Life.Walker.FashionFilm[31] His new song "Rocking Roll Again" teaser was released on the 13th.RRA.Teaser

On August 19, which is also his 51st birthday, [Yang Joon Il Maybe Special Edition] was published. It is re-edited with over 40 illustrations by Yullachoeyulla and a new message by Yang is added. "Rocking Roll Again" was released.MV

On August 28, Sinsegae International and Yang launched their women's 2020 F/W collection and opened pop-up retail.[32]

A solo concert "The First Dance" was scheduled for September 19.notice Yang was scheduled to appear at the "Blue Spring Festival" held from September 26 and 27th.notice "The First Dance" concert scheduled to be held in Seoul September was cancelled due to Covid-19.[33] The "Blue Spting Festival" was also cancelled. The JTN Concert, which was scheduled to be held in May but was cancelled due to Covid-19, was announced to be held on December 5.

Rocking Roll Again(August 19, 2020) - Yang Joon Il/ Val Gaina - 4:10

In 2019, Yang shot a commercial with Lotte Home Shopping[38] for the first time in his life.

In 2020, Yang came in third place in brand reputation rankings for male advertisement models, as studied by The Korean Business Research Institute.[39] Yang became an official model for Pizza Hut.[40] He was selected as an endorsement model for Siwon School.[41][42] He has been working as an ambassador for Shinsegae International.[43] It was also reported that Shinsegae International is planning to launch a collaborative product with Yang.[44] He appeared in commercials for Berocca by Bayer Korea.[45] He was appointed as a new face of Jenny House Cosmetics.[46] Jenny House Cosmetics announced to release a new product in collaboration with Yang.[47] Re;BAK Style Repair Shampoo and Treatment was officially launched in March and Rebecca Salon, their collaboration site, was opened on the same day.[48] On August, Shinsegae International launched "449 Project Yang Joon Il Goods line" which was produced on the theme of 'Life.Walker', Yang's values. S.I. and JIY's collaborative womenswear line was released on S.I. Village and  at pop-up stores in Shinsegae Department Store.