Phil Star: K-pop star Rain in a bid for US stardom
Pinoys in New York were pleasantly amused to find the marquee of the Madison Square Garden advertising two shows by Korean pop star Rain. A common thought ran through their heads and it was that the Koreans have landed in the USA. They all know that their friends and relatives back home are all presently addicted to Korean telenovelas and have become big fans of Korean stars. Mostly actors, who are also pop singers, these guys are young, talented, great-looking and have already proven themselves in other Asian countries. The Korean wave is on the roll, so what’s to stop them guys from also trying their luck in America.
Often compared to Usher because of the hip-hop elements in his songs, Rain is no different from most K-pop stars of the moment. Born Ji-Hoon Jung, he is a recording star, actor in a soap series and a great dancer. He is only 22 years old, tall and lean and has that laid-back androgynous quality we have come to associate with the Koreans. But make no mistake about it. His facial features may be delicate but he can surely kick up a storm. In fact, he plays a mean martial arts fighter in his latest serial titled A Love to Kill.
Now I am unable to give the kind of time and attention required by soap operas on television, Korean or otherwise. So I do not know if A Love to Kill has already reached our shores. But Rain’s early work in the mini-series titled Full House was followed avidly by local fans. He has two albums available in the local stores though and I have witnessed some girl fans swooning over songs they do not understand and the bonus photos that comes with one CD. Both releases come handsomely packaged with their own boxes, so I suppose that Rain must indeed be a big star. He must be so big that I will not be surprised to find him looking down on us with his brooding mien from a Bench billboard one of these days. You know, the Koreans have taken over the Chinese heartthrobs so, Rain might just be the right replacement for Jerry Yan.
The charm of music is of course, universal, but, it is still difficult to make head or tail of the contents of Rain’s albums because the credits are all written in Korean. There must be an all-English album in his future soon, given plans to launch his career in the USA. But for the moment, all Korean or a mix of Korean and some English words are all we have from him. There is no question about the appeal of his melodies though. These are very light and pretty and can be adapted to any language.
Rain’s songs are as pop as any that we get nowadays, more boy band than Usher, in fact and definitely pandering to the likes of young fans. It is also interesting to find that both are pegged on the melancholy ambience associated with his name, Rain. One is titled It’s Raining and comes with a bonus DVD containing the videos for the title cut and for I Do. The other one is titled The Rain’s Soundtrack and is particularly interesting because it features other Korean artists. If you want to know what is going on in the pop music scene in Korea then this is the album for you. Also featured are Byul, Lim Jeong Hee and G-Soul.
Back to the Pinoys in New York. They are asking when do you think, the Pinoy Wave of pop stars will happen. I do not have an answer.
Often compared to Usher because of the hip-hop elements in his songs, Rain is no different from most K-pop stars of the moment. Born Ji-Hoon Jung, he is a recording star, actor in a soap series and a great dancer. He is only 22 years old, tall and lean and has that laid-back androgynous quality we have come to associate with the Koreans. But make no mistake about it. His facial features may be delicate but he can surely kick up a storm. In fact, he plays a mean martial arts fighter in his latest serial titled A Love to Kill.
Now I am unable to give the kind of time and attention required by soap operas on television, Korean or otherwise. So I do not know if A Love to Kill has already reached our shores. But Rain’s early work in the mini-series titled Full House was followed avidly by local fans. He has two albums available in the local stores though and I have witnessed some girl fans swooning over songs they do not understand and the bonus photos that comes with one CD. Both releases come handsomely packaged with their own boxes, so I suppose that Rain must indeed be a big star. He must be so big that I will not be surprised to find him looking down on us with his brooding mien from a Bench billboard one of these days. You know, the Koreans have taken over the Chinese heartthrobs so, Rain might just be the right replacement for Jerry Yan.
The charm of music is of course, universal, but, it is still difficult to make head or tail of the contents of Rain’s albums because the credits are all written in Korean. There must be an all-English album in his future soon, given plans to launch his career in the USA. But for the moment, all Korean or a mix of Korean and some English words are all we have from him. There is no question about the appeal of his melodies though. These are very light and pretty and can be adapted to any language.
Rain’s songs are as pop as any that we get nowadays, more boy band than Usher, in fact and definitely pandering to the likes of young fans. It is also interesting to find that both are pegged on the melancholy ambience associated with his name, Rain. One is titled It’s Raining and comes with a bonus DVD containing the videos for the title cut and for I Do. The other one is titled The Rain’s Soundtrack and is particularly interesting because it features other Korean artists. If you want to know what is going on in the pop music scene in Korea then this is the album for you. Also featured are Byul, Lim Jeong Hee and G-Soul.
Back to the Pinoys in New York. They are asking when do you think, the Pinoy Wave of pop stars will happen. I do not have an answer.
posted by Flor at 11:25 PM
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