Jinu

Korean name
Hangul	김진우
Revised Romanization	Gim Jinu
McCune–Reischauer	Kim Chinu
Stage name
Hangul	지누
Revised Romanization	Jinu
McCune–Reischauer	Chinu

JINU
JINU
김진우
	Jinu in 2015
Born	Kim Jin-woo; October 23, 1971 (age 53); California, United States
Education	Louisiana State University
Occupations	Rapper; singer; songwriter; entrepreneur;
Spouse	Kim Jun-hee (m. 2006; div. 2008)
Family	Paik Nam June (grandfather)
	Musical career
Genres	K-pop; R&B; Hip hop;
Years active	1994–present
Labels	YG Entertainment
Website	JINUSEAN

Kim Jin-woo (Korean: 김진우; born October 23, 1971), better known by his stage name Jinu, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He debuted in 1994 as a solo singer before teaming up with Sean to create a hip-hop duo Jinusean in 1997 under YG Entertainment.

Early life

Kim was born in California. He is fluent in English and Korean.^[1]

Career

1994: Solo debut

On March 9, 1994, Kim Jin-woo released his first album "Kim Jin Woo Vol. 1" with "I Am Awesome" (나는 캡이었어) as his first single.^[1] After hearing about his album, Yang Hyun-suk, former Seo Taiji and Boys' member, pick Kim Jin-woo to be in a hip hop duo under his label, YG Entertainment with Sean.^{[citation needed]}

1997: Jinusean debut

Jinu and Sean debuted as Jinusean with the single, "Gasoline," in 1997 under the guidance of YG Entertainment CEO and former Seo Taiji and Boys member Yang Hyun-suk and former Deux member Lee Hyun Do.^[2] Their second single, "Tell Me" (featuring singer Uhm Jung-hwa), was the duo's first hit and propelled them to stardom.^[3]

2004–present: Extended hiatus and Work at YG Entertainment

Between 2004 and 2014, the duo went on an extended hiatus. They remained at YG Entertainment working in various behind-the-scenes roles. Jinu was appointed as the Director of Overseas Operations. He was in charge of matters overseas including auditions and concerts.^[4] He discovered Bobby of iKon in New York then brought him to Korea to train under YG Entertainment.^[5]

In 2014, Jinusean made his first appearance in 10 years on a Korean variety TV show called Infinite Challenge.^[6] In 2015, they released the single "Tell Me One More Time" which marked the end of their hiatus.^[7]

As of 2018, Jinu is confirmed to star in a new series by Netflix and YG Entertainment, YG Future Strategy Office.^[8]

Personal life

He is the grandson of Nam June Paik, a Korean-American artist, with his first wife.^[9]

On May 14, 2006, Jinu married actress Kim Jun-hee. They divorced in 2008, after two years of marriage due to irreconcilable differences.^[10]

Kim is a Christian.^[1]

Discography

Solo album


Year	Album Information	Track Listing
1994	Kim Jin Woo Vol. 1 Released: March 9, 1994 Label: RIAK Language: Korean	Track listing Mo' Bass (Instrumental) I was Awesome Dangerous Curiosity (The Innocence of Desire) Escape Farewell Alone Blue Sunday (Interlude) Afternoon with Freesia Scent Automatic Responding Telephone Trial and Error Can't See You Again Sweet Dream (Outro) Dangerous Curiosity

Singles

As a lead artist


Title	Year	Sales	Album
"I was Awesome"	1994	—	Kim Jin Woo Vol. 1

As a featured artist


Title	Year	Sales	Album
"가요 톱 10" (Turbo featuring. Lee Ha-neul, Jinu, and Lee Sang-min)	2015	—	10집 Again

Filmography


Year	Channel	Title	Role	Note
2014-2015	MBC	Infinite Challenge	Himself	Saturday, Saturday's: I am a Singer
2015	MNET	Show Me the Money 4	Judge	Team YG (with Sean of Jinusean and Tablo)
2017	SBS	Fantastic Duo 2	Himself	with Sean of Jinusean
2018	Netflix	YG Future Strategy Office	Cast member

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Jinusean's Profile". Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
^ "지누션" [Jinusean]. Mnet (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
^ Kim, Jae-heun (April 16, 2015). "Hip-hop duo Jinusean returns after 11 years". Korea Times. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
^ "Jinusean appearance at Yoo Hee-yeol's Sketchbook".
^ "iKON's Bobby was scouted by Jinusean's Jinu".
^ "Jinusean to reunite with Uhm Jung-hwas for Infinite Challenge after 17 years".
^ "Jinusean Makes First Comeback in 11 Years with "Tell Me One More Time" MV".
^ "Netflix teams up with YG for a variety show". February 22, 2018.
^ "The relationship between Jinusean's Jinu and Nam June Paik".
^ "Jinu and Kim Jun Hee call it quits too". March 13, 2008.

External links

Jinu on Instagram

[:2-1] "Jinusean's Profile". Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2018.

[:1-2] "지누션" [Jinusean]. Mnet (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.

[:0-3] Kim, Jae-heun (April 16, 2015). "Hip-hop duo Jinusean returns after 11 years". Korea Times. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.

[4] "Jinusean appearance at Yoo Hee-yeol's Sketchbook".

[5] "iKON's Bobby was scouted by Jinusean's Jinu".

[6] "Jinusean to reunite with Uhm Jung-hwas for Infinite Challenge after 17 years".

[7] "Jinusean Makes First Comeback in 11 Years with "Tell Me One More Time" MV".

[8] "Netflix teams up with YG for a variety show". February 22, 2018.

[9] "The relationship between Jinusean's Jinu and Nam June Paik".

[10] "Jinu and Kim Jun Hee call it quits too". March 13, 2008.

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v t e Nam June Paik
Works	TV Buddha (1974) Good Morning, Mr. Orwell (1984) The More, The Better (1988) Metrobot (1988) Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii (1995)
Associated people	Shigeko Kubota (wife) Ken Hakuta (nephew) Jinu (grandson)
Related	Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV (2023)