Rain (entertainer)

Rain
비 (Korean)
Rain Korean Singer.JPG
Background information
Birth name Hangul: 정지훈 Hanja: 鄭智薰 Revised Romanization: Jeong Ji-hun
Also known as Bi (비) / Pi (ピ) / Yu (雨) / Vu
Born June 25, 1982 (1982-06-25) (age 27)
Origin Seoul, South Korea
Genre(s) K-pop, R&B, Hip-Hop
Occupation(s) Singer, Actor, Dancer, Model
Years active 2002-present
Label(s) JYP Entertainment
(2002-2007)
J. Tune Entertainment
(since 2007)
FA
Website Rain

Rain (Real name: Jeong Ji-hoon [정지훈], born 25 June 1982) is a Korean pop singer, dancer, model, and actor.

Contents

Biography

Early life

Rain was born in South Korea. He became interested in R&B and Hiphop dancing in the 6th grade. As an adolescent, he was a member of a boy band called Fanclub. The group was short-lived, and soon disbanded. Rain then began auditioning for various talent agencies. In a CNN interview, however, he recalled being repeatedly rejected because of his looks: "In fact, I was told after one audition that my singing and dancing was great but I didn't make it because I didn't have double eyelids."[1] Finally, Rain entered an audition for Korean talent agency JYP Entertainment. Park Jin Young, the CEO of the agency, took a personal interest in Rain and accepted him as a trainee. During the early years of training, Rain was a backup dancer.[2]

In 2002 he debuted with the album Bad Guy where he was introduced to the media through his stage name, Rain. The album's title single Bad Guy was a hit. After his first album, he took time off from his career as a singer to star in the drama series, Sang Doo! Let's Go To School. Following the success of his debut as singer and actor, Rain released his second album How to Avoid The Sun, and had another hit with the title song "Ways to Avoid the Sun."

In 2004, he starred in another successful drama called "Full House", which was one of the highest-rated Korean dramas of all time with ratings of over 30% for every episode.[2] It was broadcasted in many other countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Japan, Taiwan and the U.S. Through Full House, Rain was recognized across Asia. His performance in the drama also won him the Best Actor Award at the KBS Acting Awards.

International recognition

His third album It's Raining sold over 1 million copies in Asia. According to a report by Rain's previous agency JYP Ent. to the Korea Culture & Content Agency, It's Raining topped the charts in all of the following countries as of December 29th, 2005: Japan (100,000 copies), China (500,000 copies), Taiwan (70,000 copies), Thailand (150,000 copies), Indonesia (50,000 copies), and South Korea (154,000 copies), for a combined total of 1,074,000 units sold, making it Rain's most successful album to date both domestically and internationally.[3] His first concert, Rainy Day, held in Korea and Japan, was sold out on the first day when the tickets became available.

In 2004, Rain earned greater recognition by winning the MTV Asia Grand Slam, securing top honors in all the Asian countries which broadcast MTV Asia. Rain won the Favorite Korean Artist at the 2005 MTV Asia Aid held in Bangkok, the Most Popular Asian Artist Award from Channel [V] Thailand, the Best Buzz Asia Award during the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2005 (He won Best buzz ASIA as well as Orange Range and Stefanie Sun.) and the Best Korean Singer award in the MTV-CCTV Mandarin Music Honors in Beijing. Rain was also the first Asian performing artist ever to be invited to the 2005 American MTV Video Music Awards in Miami, as well as the 2005 MTV Latin Video Music Awards in Mexico. These accomplishments earned Rain a lot of media attention, including interviews with Time Asian Edition and CNN Talk Asia. Rain also won the Best Korean Singer Award 2005 at the Mandarin Music Honors in Taiwan.

Rain then went on his RAINY DAY 2005 Tour, starting in Seoul and followed by Tokyo and Hong Kong; due to his fame and his extravagant performances, tickets sold out quickly.[4] His first solo concert in Japan last summer, entitled Rainy Day Japan held at the Tokyo International Forum, was so popular that all the tickets were sold out 30 seconds after going on sale.[2] The tickets for another of his concerts in Taiwan were sold out the moment they became available also. His performances in Hong Kong also sold out in a couple of hours. Rain continues to set records in Asia. Now planning to go beyond Japan and Hong Kong, Rain will make a foray into China by giving a concert in Beijing.

In April 2006, he was mentioned in the Time magazine website article that named the "100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World."[5][6] In 2007, Rain topped Time Magazine's online user poll, although he was not in the magazine's actual list. He has an ongoing joke feud with Stephen Colbert for the top spot.[7] He also made it into People's 2007 list of the "Most Beautiful People" in the world.

Fame in the United States

Rain's success in the US is limited. Several of Rain's US concerts in 2007 were cancelled due to low tickets sales and possible legal troubles. Time magazine noted that Rain may collaborate in the future with Diddy. This came after reviewing Rain's performances in Madison Square Garden in February 2006. His two day concert, Rainy Day New York was marketed and promoted by the Asian concert production company Rainstone Live. Tickets were sold out within a matter of days.[8]

Special guests who made stage appearances at the concert included American pop singer JoJo, R&B singer Omarion, and hip-hop mogul Diddy.

There is also news that Rain will be recording a duet with Omarion, who used to be the vocalist of the popular hip-hop group, B2K, and had starred in the movie, You Got Served. When Rain's first movie, I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK, finished filming in early July 2006, he departed for the U.S. to discuss the possibility of singing the duet with Omarion, and to meet with the organizers of his Asian Tour. Rain apparently met Omarion through his producer, who had written a song for Omarion's recent album. Also, after Rain's concert in February in New York - where Omarion danced to Rain's song "Bad Guy" - Omarion and Rain became friends, says JYP Entertainment. They also noted that the two may star in a movie together one day.[9]

Omarion and Rain recorded a duet song, "Man Up," that was released on the European version of Omarion's album 21 as a bonus track. The song has yet to be released in the U.S. due to contractual issues between several record labels.

In 2007, Rain made it to People's Most Beautiful People list for the first time, in its "First-Time Beauties 2007" section.[10] In a press release, Rain stated that he was honored to be on the list, and also noted that it will be a great boost to his efforts to raise his public awareness in the United States.[11] Also in 2007, Rain topped Time's open online poll. He beat Stephen Colbert by 100,000 votes[12]; Colbert jokingly retaliated by producing a parody of Rain's music video for "Ways to Avoid the Sun" called "He's Singin' In Korean". Stephen Colbert has since challenged Rain to a dance-off "or a cuddle-off, or a spoon-off". On May 5, 2008, Rain appeared in a "surprise" guest segment at the end of The Colbert Report, and proceeded to engage Stephen in a dance-off. In the end, Rain won by causing the Dance Dance Revolution machine on which they were competing to overload and explode.[13]

Rain performed in two concert dates in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 23-24, 2006; the tickets to these concerts sold out within the first week of sales. The concerts were held at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.[14]

World tour and beyond

Rain's fourth album, Rain's World was released in Korea on October 14 2006.

His Rain's Coming Tour began on December 15, 2006 at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, and was scheduled to continue through 2007 to the following countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, United States and Canada.[15] His tour incorporated the talents of producers and stage designers (such as Jamie King and Roy Bennett) who have been involved with the concert tours of famous artists such as U2, Michael Jackson, Ricky Martin, Madonna, Britney Spears, and The Rolling Stones. Ticket sales were expected to be over US$100 million, but that never happened.[16]

His latest concert was at the Tokyo Dome on 25 May 2007 which attracted nearly 40,000 people.[17] The Tokyo Dome is the largest auditorium in Japan. Rain was the first Korean artist to perform at the Tokyo Dome.

Cancelled Concerts

On his latest World 2007 tour, his scheduled concerts in Shanghai, Toronto, San Francisco and Hawaii were cancelled, followed by the last concert in Los Angeles. The latter event at the Staples Center was canceled only two hours prior to opening: Rain's producer blamed the situation on financial problems with the local producer, and the local promoter blamed Star M, calling them "incompetent to handle the situation." Insiders claim it was due to poor tickets sales. [18]

Legal troubles

In February 2007, Rain and his former management agency JYP Entertainment as well as concert organizer Star M Corporation were sued over copyright infringement of the stage name "Rain," by the U.S. recording firm Rain Corporation; the company, which works with an American band also called "Rain," demanded that he drop the English name in the United States. The U.S. concert dates were postponed due to the controversy over his stage name. In June 2007, the lawsuit ended because the Nevada court provided no evidence indicating that Rain Corporation would suffer any actual harm, but the court canceled the "Rain's Coming to Los Angeles Concert". Since the filing of the lawsuit, Rain's U.S. concert promotional posters had been changed to "Ji-hoon's World Tour 2007"; however, Rain may continue using "Rain's Coming World Tour."

Rain, together with JYP and the tour promotor, are currently being sued by Honolulu promoter Click Entertainment for $2,000,000 (originally just over one million), after his concert was cancelled there and the promoters were not refunded the $500,000 licensing fee. [19] In 2008, Rain is scheduled to appear in court for the canceled Honolulu concert later this November.

Controversies

One of the 3 largest broadcaster in Korea, SBS, has banned Rain for inappropriate lyrics, in the song "You" from his Rainism album.

Here are the lyrics (translated from Korean) that SBS deemed inappropriate:

"I am stuck in your lumps hide your rump, because of you, I am going crazy Wet my body so I can feel it whenever Your sexy lips are touching me all over"

J. Tune Entertainment (Formerly known as the Rainy Entertainment)

In November 2007, Rain told the Korean media that he has left JYP Entertainment for good and has started his own entertainment company called J. Tune Entertainment (formerly known as Rainy Entertainment). He will be positioned as the CEO of the company, but told the media that he still keeps in touch with his mentor and long-time trainer Park Jin Young.

On October 5th 2008, it was announced that Rain was going to release his 5th Album in the middle of the month. [20] On October 16th, 2008 Rain released his 5th Album Rainism.

Discography

Further information: Rain discography

Bad Guy (1st full-length Korean album)

  • Released: May 13 2002
  • Format: Cassette, CD
  • Label: Daeyoung AV
  • Producer: JYPE
  • Chart position: #9 KOR Monthly[21], #45 KOR Year-End (2002)[22]
  • Sales: KOR: 143,414[23]

How To Avoid The Sun (2nd full-length Korean album)

  • Released: October 16 2003
  • Format: Cassette, CD
  • Label: Daeyoung AV
  • Producer: JYPE
  • Chart position: #6 KOR Monthly[24], #19 KOR Year-End (2003)[25]
  • Sales: KOR: 166,731[25][26]

It's RAINing (3rd full-length Korean album)

  • Released: October 8 2004
  • Format: Cassette, Enhanced CD
  • Label: Seoul Records
  • Producer: JYPE
  • Chart position: #3 KOR Monthly[27], #17 KOR Year-End (2004)[26]; #15 JPN[28], #489 JPN Year-End (2005)[29]
  • Sales: KOR: 202,764[26][30][31], JPN: 26,246[29]
  • Certification: KOR: n/a, JPN: none

Eternal Rain (1st full-length Japanese album made for the Japanese market)

  • Released: September 13 2006
  • Format: CD, CD+DVD, CD+DVD+T-shirt
  • Label: King Records
  • Chart position: #14 JPN[32], #573 JPN Year-End (2006)[33]
  • Sales: JPN: 18,569[33]
  • Certification: JPN: none
  • Singles: "Sad Tango", "Free Way", "Move On"

Rain's World (4th full-length Korean album)

  • Released: October 13 2006
  • Format: Cassette, CD, CD+DVD, CD+DVD+Diary
  • Label: Seoul Records
  • Chart position: #1 KOR Monthly[34], #17 KOR Year-End (2006)[35]; #57 JPN[36]
  • Sales: KOR: 108,179[37]
  • Certification: KOR: n/a, JPN: none

RAINISM (5th full-length Korean album)

  • Released: October 16 2008
  • Format: CD
  • Label: J. Tune Entertainment
  • Tracks: 13
  1. "My Way (Intro)"
  2. "Rainism"
  3. "Only You"
  4. " Love Story"
  5. "사랑이라는 건"
  6. "내 여자"
  7. "You"
  8. "Fresh Woman"
  9. "더 끌려 (Feat. 태완 A.K.A C-Luv) "
  10. "고개 돌려"
  11. "9월 12일 (September 12)"
  12. "My Way"
  13. "Rainism Remix"
  • Singles: "Love Story", "Rainism",

Filmography

Television Series

Films

Awards

Year Awards
2002
  • MBC Top 10 Artist Award
  • KBS Music Award - New Artist, Most popular Singer Award by producers
  • SBS Music Award - New Artist
  • SBS Seoul Gayo Award - New Artist
  • M.NET Music Video Festival - New Artist
  • KMTV Korea Music Award - New Artist
  • Golden Disc Award - New Artist
2003
  • M.NET Male Artist Award
  • KMTV Male Artist Award
  • MBC Top 10 Artist Award
  • KBS Male Artist Award
  • SBS Male Performer of the Year Award
  • KBS Rookie, Popularity, Best Couple (with Kong Hyo Jin), Netizen Actor Award of the Year
2004
  • KBS Best Actor Award
  • MBC Top 10 Artist Award
  • KBS Artist of the Year
  • SBS Male Performer of the Year Award
  • Popularity Award of TV Part (The Baek Sang Arts Grand Award)
  • KBS Best Couple Award (with Song Hye Kyo)
2005
  • MTV Asia Awards: Favorite Artist Korea
  • Channel [V] Best Single Award
  • MTV Video Music Awards Japan: Best buzz Asia from Korea
  • MTV China: CCTV Mandarin Music Honors Award
  • Andre Kim Awards: Best Star
  • KBS Drama "Love To Kill" or "이 죽일놈의 사랑"
2006
  • Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People Who Shape the World Award
  • M.NET Male Artist Award
  • Asia TV Awards: Best Movie Style [A Love to Kill]
  • MKMF Mnet: Best Solo Male Artist
  • SBS Gayo Daejun 2006: Bonsang
2007
  • MTV Asia's 'Artist of the Month' [January]
  • 43rd Baeksang Arts Awards: Best New Actor for "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK"
  • Hallyu Award
  • 44th DaeJong Film Awards: Overseas Popularity Award
  • 'Best Asian Male Artist' in Macau, China

References

  1. ↑ Hahn, Lorraine (2005-12-14). "Rain Talkasia Transcript", CNN. Retrieved on 2007-02-18. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Pop star Rain (Bi), reaching out beyond Asia", KBS Global. Retrieved on 2007-02-18. 
  3. ↑ "Rain’s album records sales of over one million copies in Asia", KBS Global. Retrieved on 2007-02-18. 
  4. ↑ "Rain Season Breaks Records Across Asia", The Chosun Ilbo (2005-10-13). Retrieved on 2007-02-18. 
  5. ↑ Walsh, Bryan (2006-05-08). "The People Who Shape Our World", Time Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-02-18. 
  6. ↑ "The TIME 100", Time Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-02-18. 
  7. ↑ "The TIME 100", Time Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-06-08. 
  8. ↑ "Rain's Sold-Out New York Gig Could Take K-Pop Global", The Chosun Ilbo (2006-02-03). Retrieved on 2007-02-18. 
  9. ↑ "Singer Rain to Work with Top American Star Omarion", KBS Global. Retrieved on 2007-02-18. 
  10. ↑ "All about the Beautiful people", Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph (2007-04-26). Retrieved on 2007-04-29. 
  11. ↑ "SKorean pop star Rain listed in People's 100 Most Beautiful", Yahoo Canada, Yahoo Canada (2007-04-30). Retrieved on 2007-04-29. 
  12. ↑ Your Time 100. April 19, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  13. ↑ "Rain Dance-Off". Colbert Report (2008-05-05). Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
  14. ↑ "It's raining ticket sales for Korean pop star", The Hankyoreh (2006-11-16). Retrieved on 2007-02-18. 
  15. ↑ "Tickets for Rain’s Hong Kong Concert Sold Out", KBS Global. Retrieved on 2007-03-16. 
  16. ↑ Herzkovits, Jon; Jang Sera (2006-11-16). "South Korean pop star Rain debuts as robot lover", Reuters. Retrieved on 2007-02-18. 
  17. ↑ "Rain becomes First Korean Star to Perform at Tokyo Dome", Japan Today (2007-05-28). Retrieved on 2007-06-08. 
  18. ↑ "Pop Singer Rain Cancels L.A. Concert". Retrieved on 2007-07-21. 
  19. ↑ http://jungjihoon.wordpress.com/
  20. ↑ "MIAK: Album Sales in August 2002" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  21. ↑ "MIAK: Album Sales in 2002" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  22. ↑ "MIAK: Album Sales in January 2003" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  23. ↑ "MIAK: Album Sales in October 2003" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  24. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "MIAK: Album Sales in 2003" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  25. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 "MIAK: Album Sales in 2004" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  26. ↑ "MIAK: Album Sales in October 2004" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  27. ↑ "You Taiju: IT'S RAINING" (in Japanese). Oricon Marketing Promotion. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  28. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Oricon Entertainment (March 2006) (in Japanese). Orikon Nenkan 2006 Nenban オリコン年鑑2006年版 (Oricon Yearbook 2006). Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. pp. p. 32. ISBN 978-4-87131-075-8. 
  29. ↑ "MIAK: Album Sales in 2005" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  30. ↑ "MIAK: Album Sales in the First Half of 2006" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  31. ↑ "You Taiju: Eternal Rain" (in Japanese). Oricon Marketing Promotion. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  32. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Oricon Entertainment (March 2007) (in Japanese). Orikon Nenkan 2007 Nenban オリコン年鑑2007年版 (Oricon Yearbook 2007). Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. pp. p. 29. ISBN 978-4-87131-082-6. 
  33. ↑ "MIAK: Album Sales in October 2006" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  34. ↑ "MIAK: Album Sales in 2006" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  35. ↑ "You Taiju: Rain's World" (in Japanese). Oricon Marketing Promotion. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  36. ↑ "MIAK: Album Sales in January 2007" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.

External links