Rain check - A loss leaves Korean pop star intent on success
New York Daily News
By REBECCA LOUIE
It took a devastating death to give Rain's career life.
The Korean pop star, beloved in Asia for R&B music and TV roles, lost his mother to diabetes five years ago.
Asia's answer to Usher and Justin Timberlake steers clear of drink, drugs, girls and (seemingly) rest to focus on performing, a job made possible by the woman who sacrificed insulin shots and medical care so he could study his craft.
Asia's answer to Usher and Justin Timberlake steers clear of drink, drugs, girls and (seemingly) rest to focus on performing, a job made possible by the woman who sacrificed insulin shots and medical care so he could study his craft."I am 23," Rain, born Jung Ji-Hoon, says through an interpreter, "and I'm like the average boy who wants to hang with friends, have a girlfriend and sleep eight or 10 hours a day. But when my mother passed away, I made up my mind that someday I would be the top star in the world to honor my mom. I have no regret for this lifestyle."
J.Y. Park, the music star who discovered Rain when the teen lived with his family in a one-room home, adds of his self-denying prodigy, "Only monks, reverends and Rain live like that. That is why I think he can make it anywhere in the world."
The Asian Adonis ? whose rippled abs, chiseled arms and graceful 6-foot-3 frame flood fans with joy ? hopes to parlay his overseas success to the American music market. Last year, he was named top Korean artist at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan. His 20,000-ticket summer shows in Korea and Hong Kong sold out in a day.
Now on Thursday and Friday, Rain storms the stage at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. He also plans to release an English-language album later this year.
"History unfortunately suggests that Rain will have a hard road to climb," says Jeff Yang, an Asian-market expert for consumer-strategy firm Iconoculture. "Pop music is littered with Asian stars who have tried to cross over," among them Hong Kong's Coco Lee and Japan's Utada.
But, says Yang, the appeal of Asian stars is growing. "If Rain is well managed by his people, with his looks and charisma and idol qualities, he really could have enough to make a difference."
Back when he was just a droplet, Rain studied music, dance and fashion at Park's Seoul-based J.Y.P. Academy.
"He was 17 when he came in to audition," recalls Park, who has composed tracks for Mase, Will Smith and Omarion and writes all of Rain's music. "He just gave me this look of true desperation. I always go for that hunger ? it makes superstars. Since then, if I tell him to do something, it is always overdone in a good way."
Park partnered with financial guru Horace Madison, whose musical clients include OutKast and Usher, to release Rain's English-language album on their label, Bridge Records. Rain is studying English (as well as Chinese and Japanese), and says he has four songs already in the bank."
There has been no Asian artist who has succeeded in the American music market," says Rain slowly, showing off his elementary English, "and I hope to be the one. I think this album is not merely just an album, but the ?" and here the translator jumps in, "The interchange of culture between Asia and America."
Some Americans don't need the hunk to cross language lines. Jenny Nam, a 25-year-old graphic designer from Manhattan, is already a fan. She catches Rain on video tapes and Korean cable channels.
"I am so excited to see him," says the MSG ticket-holding fan, who collects postcards plastered with images of Rain. "I can't believe he's really coming to New York!"
On why she's devoted, she explains, "He is different from big stars ? he seems more kind and polite. I also like his look. His body is well shaped and he's tall. Then there's his smile. His voice. The way he's dressed. Everything!"
And for that reason, fans can look forward to a forecast of Rain.
Hunky Math
It's okay to use a cheat sheet when you want to ace the test. Korean pinup Rain looks like he took notes from some of our sexiest singers. Here's how he graduated at the top of Asia's class acts.
Justin Timberlake: Rain got *NSync with this former boy bander, allowing R&B and hip hop to infuse his knee-weakening pop songs. And wow, talk about throwing muscle around! Timberlake's brawny biceps help lift his solo career; Rain's defined arms suggest he can do the same.
+ plus.....
Usher: Rain has almost "Caught Up" with Ush in the abs department: the more to glisten sweat off of during live shows, my pretties! A scandal-free version of Michael Jackson, the "Confessional" crooner has dance moves that keep crowds riveted. The hot-stepping Rain is following in his tracks. "Yeah!"
Originally published on January 31, 2006
Thanks to Kazunary of www.3asian.com
WE LOVE RAIN BBS
By REBECCA LOUIE
It took a devastating death to give Rain's career life.
The Korean pop star, beloved in Asia for R&B music and TV roles, lost his mother to diabetes five years ago.
Asia's answer to Usher and Justin Timberlake steers clear of drink, drugs, girls and (seemingly) rest to focus on performing, a job made possible by the woman who sacrificed insulin shots and medical care so he could study his craft.
Asia's answer to Usher and Justin Timberlake steers clear of drink, drugs, girls and (seemingly) rest to focus on performing, a job made possible by the woman who sacrificed insulin shots and medical care so he could study his craft."I am 23," Rain, born Jung Ji-Hoon, says through an interpreter, "and I'm like the average boy who wants to hang with friends, have a girlfriend and sleep eight or 10 hours a day. But when my mother passed away, I made up my mind that someday I would be the top star in the world to honor my mom. I have no regret for this lifestyle."
J.Y. Park, the music star who discovered Rain when the teen lived with his family in a one-room home, adds of his self-denying prodigy, "Only monks, reverends and Rain live like that. That is why I think he can make it anywhere in the world."
The Asian Adonis ? whose rippled abs, chiseled arms and graceful 6-foot-3 frame flood fans with joy ? hopes to parlay his overseas success to the American music market. Last year, he was named top Korean artist at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan. His 20,000-ticket summer shows in Korea and Hong Kong sold out in a day.
Now on Thursday and Friday, Rain storms the stage at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. He also plans to release an English-language album later this year.
"History unfortunately suggests that Rain will have a hard road to climb," says Jeff Yang, an Asian-market expert for consumer-strategy firm Iconoculture. "Pop music is littered with Asian stars who have tried to cross over," among them Hong Kong's Coco Lee and Japan's Utada.
But, says Yang, the appeal of Asian stars is growing. "If Rain is well managed by his people, with his looks and charisma and idol qualities, he really could have enough to make a difference."
Back when he was just a droplet, Rain studied music, dance and fashion at Park's Seoul-based J.Y.P. Academy.
"He was 17 when he came in to audition," recalls Park, who has composed tracks for Mase, Will Smith and Omarion and writes all of Rain's music. "He just gave me this look of true desperation. I always go for that hunger ? it makes superstars. Since then, if I tell him to do something, it is always overdone in a good way."
Park partnered with financial guru Horace Madison, whose musical clients include OutKast and Usher, to release Rain's English-language album on their label, Bridge Records. Rain is studying English (as well as Chinese and Japanese), and says he has four songs already in the bank."
There has been no Asian artist who has succeeded in the American music market," says Rain slowly, showing off his elementary English, "and I hope to be the one. I think this album is not merely just an album, but the ?" and here the translator jumps in, "The interchange of culture between Asia and America."
Some Americans don't need the hunk to cross language lines. Jenny Nam, a 25-year-old graphic designer from Manhattan, is already a fan. She catches Rain on video tapes and Korean cable channels.
"I am so excited to see him," says the MSG ticket-holding fan, who collects postcards plastered with images of Rain. "I can't believe he's really coming to New York!"
On why she's devoted, she explains, "He is different from big stars ? he seems more kind and polite. I also like his look. His body is well shaped and he's tall. Then there's his smile. His voice. The way he's dressed. Everything!"
And for that reason, fans can look forward to a forecast of Rain.
Hunky Math
It's okay to use a cheat sheet when you want to ace the test. Korean pinup Rain looks like he took notes from some of our sexiest singers. Here's how he graduated at the top of Asia's class acts.
Justin Timberlake: Rain got *NSync with this former boy bander, allowing R&B and hip hop to infuse his knee-weakening pop songs. And wow, talk about throwing muscle around! Timberlake's brawny biceps help lift his solo career; Rain's defined arms suggest he can do the same.
+ plus.....
Usher: Rain has almost "Caught Up" with Ush in the abs department: the more to glisten sweat off of during live shows, my pretties! A scandal-free version of Michael Jackson, the "Confessional" crooner has dance moves that keep crowds riveted. The hot-stepping Rain is following in his tracks. "Yeah!"
Originally published on January 31, 2006
Thanks to Kazunary of www.3asian.com
WE LOVE RAIN BBS
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