Rain (Jung Ji Hoon)

Birth name Jung Ji-Hoon
Also known as Bi (비), Pi (ピ), Yu (雨), Vu
Born June 25, 1982 (1982-06-25) (age 27)
Origin Seoul, South Korea
Genres K-pop, R&B, Hip-Hop
Occupations Singer, Actor, Dancer, Model, Designer
Years active 2002-present
Labels JYP Entertainment
(2002-2007)
J. Tune Entertainment
(2007-present)

Rain (Korean: 비; born June 25, 1982), real name Jung Ji Hoon, is a South Korean pop singer, dancer, model, actor, businessperson, and designer. He is well known throughout Asia.

Rain has released seven albums (six Korean, one Japanese) and 19 singles. He won the KBS Best New Actor award for his premiering role in the drama Sang Doo! Let's Go To School. In 2004, Rain won the KBS Excellence in Acting award for his role in the drama Full House. After starring in A Love To Kill, he acted in his first Korean film, I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (2006), which won the Alfred Bauer Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival. Rain has acted in the American films Speed Racer (2008) and Ninja Assassin (2009).

In 2007, Rain left the management of JYP Entertainment and started his own company, J. Tune Entertainment.

It has recently been announced that Rain will act in a new drama called "도망자 (Runaway / Fugitive)" (2010). He will be the male lead while Lee Na Young will be the female lead. The drama will, under its currently plans, start to be filmed later this month (June 2010). It is set to air in either late September or early October of this year.

Early life

Rain spent most of his childhood living with his parents and younger sister, Jeong Hanna, near Hongik University. Despite being an introverted and shy child, he discovered he had a passion for dance when he performed in a talent show for Sungmoon Junior High School. Rain initially had a difficult time balancing dance and academics and received low grades during the beginning of junior high because of his frequent dance practices. He decided to follow his passion and attended Anyang High School of Arts in Anyang, Gyeonggi, where he received his first formal instruction in acting and was able to continue dancing as well. Rain again found he could not focus on both dance and his studies in acting; he was truant on several occasions.

Rain lost his mother as she struggled with diabetes and died in 2000. Within that same year, Rain was recruited as a trainee for JYP Entertainment, led by recording artist and producer Park Jin-Young in 2000. 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] During the early years of training, Rain was a backup dancer.[2]
[edit] Career
[edit] Debut

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 was "Bad Guy" and was followed by "Handshake". After his first album, in 2003, he made his television debut in the KBS drama, 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 released the title song "Ways to Avoid the Sun."
[edit] Fame
Rain during a performance.

In 2004, he starred in the popular drama called "Full House" with one of Korea's most popular actresses, Song Hye Kyo. The drama had viewer ratings of over 30 percent for every episode.[2] It was broadcasted in various other countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Israel and the United States. His performance in the drama won him the Best Actor Award at the KBS Acting Awards.

His third album, It's Raining (2004), sold over 1 million copies in Asia.[3] According to a report by Rain's previous agency JYP Entertainment to the Korea Culture & Content Agency, It's Raining topped the charts in all of the following countries as of December 29, 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.[3]

Rain then went on his Rainy Day 2005 Tour, starting in Seoul and followed by Tokyo and Hong Kong. The tickets sold out quickly.[4] the Rainy Day global tour in 2005 sold out over 150,000 seats in 8 cities in Korea, China and Japan. His first solo concert in Japan, entitled Rainy Day Japan held at the Tokyo International Forum had all the tickets sold out 30 seconds after going on sale.[2]
[edit] Overseas

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

He acted in his first film, I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK, directed by Park Chan-wook. The film won the Alfred Bauer Award at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival,[5] and was selected as the opening film for the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Also, Rain was nominated for and won Best New Actor at the 43rd Baeksang Awards.[6]
[edit] Asia

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.[7] 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 other 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.[8]

Rain released his first Japanese album, Eternal Rain on September 13, 2006. His concert at the Tokyo Dome on May 25, 2007 attracted nearly 40,000 people.[9] Rain was the first Korean artist to perform at the Tokyo Dome, the largest auditorium in Japan.
[edit] United States

In April 2006, Rain was mentioned in the Time magazine website article that named the "100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World."[10][11] 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.[12] In 2007, Rain topped Time Magazine's online user poll although he was not in the magazine's actual list.[13] He also made it into People's 2007 list of the "Most Beautiful People" in the world.

His two-day concert in the United States, 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 and the concerts were held at Madison Square Garden.[14] Rain performed 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. These concerts were held at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. He won the Biggest Badass Award At the MTV Movie Awards 2010.[15]
[edit] Comeback
Rain at a signing event for Ninja Assassin in New York.

In 2007, Rain was included on People's Most Beautiful People list for the first time, in its "First-Time Beauties 2007" section.[16] 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.[12] Also in 2007, Rain topped Time's open online poll: he defeated Stephen Colbert by 100,000 votes;[17] 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 then 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 Colbert 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.[18]

On October 16, 2008, Rain released his fifth Korean album, Rainism. Rain released "Love Story", as the first single from the album, shortly followed by the single, "Rainism". On November 24, 2008, The Commission of Youth Protection judged Rain's album, Rainism, inappropriate for people under 19 years old because of the song "Rainism".[19] In "Rainism", the lyrics (translated from Korean) "Trembling inside your shaking body is my magic stick/Feeling the impassable limit of the body shake" were considered problematic due to their phallic and sexual references.[20] Rain has re-released a "clean version" of "Rainism" shortly after,[21] but instead of changing the original album's contents, he has labeled a sticker that deemed "Rainism" inappropriate for those under 19 years old.[citation needed]

In 2008, he acted in his first American film, the Wachowski Brothers-directed Speed Racer, where he played Racer Taejo Togokahn. He made his starring role debut in Ninja Assassin (2009), as the main character Raizo. Ninja Assassin was directed by James McTeigue, and produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowski brothers.[22] The project was inspired by the ninja scenes featured from Speed Racer, in which Rain had impressed the Wachowskis with his portrayal as a fighter.[23]

Rain concluded The Legend of Rainism Tour at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 24–25, 2009. He performed most of the songs on his recent album, Rainism. The Legend of Rainism Tour had concerts in Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Hongkong, Indonesia and Las Vegas.

On April 6, 2010, Rain released a mini-album titled Back to Basic including the hit singles "Love Song" and "Hip Song". The album was supposed to come out on April 1, but due to the naval ship tragedy in Korea it was delayed for a while.
[edit] Legal Issues

In February 2007, Rain and his former management agency JYP Entertainment as well as a 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 Rain drop the English name in the United States. In June 2007, the lawsuit ended because the Nevada District Court determined there was no evidence indicating that Rain Corporation would suffer any actual harm. 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."

On his World 2007 tour, his scheduled concerts in Shanghai, Toronto, San Francisco, and Hawaii were canceled, followed by the last concert in Los Angeles. The last 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 promoter, while the local promoter blamed Star M calling them too "incompetent to handle the situation."[24]

On March 19, 2009, a federal jury in Honolulu found that Rain, his former management agency JYP Entertainment, and two other promotion companies were guilty of breaching a contract and defrauding Honolulu promoter Click Entertainment for $2 million (originally just over $1 million) after the Hawaii concert was canceled and the promoters were not refunded the $500,000 licensing fee.[25] Rain and JYP were ordered to pay $2.4 million each in punitive damages, $1 million for damages related to the fraud, and $2.3 million for breach of contract.[26]

A separate lawsuit filed by promoters Wellmade STARM was dismissed by a South Korean court on January 28, 2010. Judge Bae Kwang-Kuk ruled in favor of Rain and blamed the plaintiff for poor preparations surrounding the cancelled U.S. tour.[27]
[edit] Six to Five

Six to Five is Rain's new and first own clothing line, since it also was his dream to become a fashion designer. It was launched on December 23, 2008 and was followed with a "fashion show–launch party–mini-concert" to introduce 'Six to Five'. Many stars came to support him, such as Lee Hyori, Kim Suna, Chae-Rim and Girls' Generation's Seohyun. He designs and models the clothing. The label 'Six To Five' is described by Rain as coming from the idea of having an extra sense, i.e. from five senses to six. This label name also is said to represent his birth date, 6/25.
[edit] Humanitarian work

Rain was involved with MTV EXIT, a campaign against human trafficking in Asia.[28] He presented Traffic: An MTV EXIT Special, a documentary[29] which gives insight into the realities of trafficking, addresses the part everyone can play in the issue, and gives information on how people can protect themselves as well as what people can do to help end exploitation and trafficking.
[edit] J. Tune Entertainment

In November 2007, Rain told the Korean media that he has left JYP Entertainment and started his own entertainment company, J. Tune Entertainment (formerly known as Rainy Entertainment). He was scheduled to be CEO of the company, but told the media that he still kept in touch with his mentor and long-time trainer Park Jin Young. J. Tune debuted MBLAQ, an all-boy group, in October, 2009.
[edit] Discography
Further information: Rain discography

Korean studio albums

* 2002: Bad Guy
* 2003: How to Avoid The Sun
* 2004: It's Raining
* 2006: Rain's World
* 2008: Rainism
* 2010: Back To The Basic



Japanese studio albums

* 2006: Eternal Rain

[edit] Filmography
[edit] Drama

* 2002, SBS: Orange as himself
* 2003, KBS2: Sang Doo! Let's Go To School as Cha Sang-doo
* 2004, KBS2: Full House as Lee Young Jae
* 2005, SBS: Banjun Drama
* 2005, KBS2: A Love To Kill as Kang Bok Gu
* 2010, KBS2: 도망자 Fugitive

[edit] Film

* 2006: I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK as Park Il Sun
* 2008: Speed Racer as Taejo Togokahn
* 2009: Ninja Assassin as Raizo

[edit] 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

* 10th Korea Entertainment and Arts Awards New Artist Award
* M.net Music Video Festival - Mobile Popularity Award
* KMTV Korean Music Award - Artist of the Year Award
* Broadcasting and Video Awards - Best Star Award
* SBS Gayo Daejun - Bonsang & Netizen's Best Popularity Award
* KBS Music Awards - Artist of the Year Award
* MBC Top 10 Artist Awards - Bonsang
* KBS Drama Awards - Rookie Award

2004

* KBS Best Actor Award
* KBS Excellence Award for “Full House”
* KBS Drama Awards - Popularity Award
* MBC Top 10 Artist Award
* KBS Artist of the Year
* SBS Male Performer of the Year Award
* SBS Music Awards - Bonsang & Netizen's Best Popularity Award
* SBS Seoul Gayo Award - Bonsang
* The Korean Music Awards 2004 - Best Artist of the Year Award
* Popularity Award of TV Part (The Baek Sang Arts Grand Award)
* KBS Best Couple Award (with Song Hye Kyo)
* MNET Music Video Festival - Artist of the Year Award
* MNET Music Video Festival - Song of The Year Award (It's Raining)
* Golden Disc Award - Bonsang
* Andre Kim Star Awards - Actor Section
* The 40th Baek Sang Arts Grand Awards - Popularity Award (Drama)

2005

* MTV Asia Awards: Favorite Artist Korea
* MTV Korea - Best Single Award
* MTV China - CCTV Mandarin Music Honors Award
* MTV Video Music Awards Japan: Best buzz Asia from Korea
* Channel [V] Best Single Award
* Channel [V] Music Video Awards - Popular Asian Artist
* Andre Kim Awards: Best Star
* KBS Drama "Love To Kill" or "이 죽일놈의 사랑"
* KBS Netizen Award
* Korea Cultural Content Grand Prize - Music Section
* Virgin Radio Hits 40 Awards - Best Asian Artist Award
* Hong Kong Universal Records - Golden Record Award
* LA City Hall - Cultural Exchange between Korea and US Awards

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 Male Artist Award
* SBS Gayo Daejun 2006: Bonsang
* RTHK International Pop Poll Award - Top New Actor & Most Sold Asian Albums
* IFPI Hong Kong Music Sale Awards- Korea and Japan Music Award
* HITO Pop Music Awards- HITO Asian Music Awards

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"
* The 59th Berlin Film Festival: Alfred Bauer Prize (I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK)
* Berlin Red Carpet Festival - Best Dressed Artist in the Red Carpet
* 4th Netizen Entertainment Award - Best Male Singer Award
* Hallyu Grand Award
* 44th DaeJong Film Awards: Overseas Popularity Award
* 'Best Asian Male Artist' in Macau, China
* People's Most Beautiful People list "First-Time Beauties 2007"
* Korean Entertainment Business Association - Star (Music) Award
* 2007 Mobile Entertainment Awards - Best Male Singer
* 1st Korean Film Awards - Best Actor Award

2008

* Bonsang Golden Disk Award
* Style Icon of the Year
* SBS Mutizen Award (Top Song: Rainism)
* Korea Image Stepping Stone Award 2008 given by the Korea Image Communication Institute

2009

* Goodwill Ambassador by the Korean Ministry of Agriculture
* Global Publicity Ambassador: City of Seoul
* Berlin Red Carpet Festival- Best Dressed Artist in the Red Carpet
* KBS Hit Chart - Top Albums (Top 1) Rainism Recollection
* HITO Music Awards Tokyo - Best Asian Pop Song "Rainism"
* Asian Television Awards: Hip Korea Discovery Channel (Best Music Program, Best Infotainment Program, Best Cross-Platform Content)

2010

* Korea Achievement Award given by the Korean Culture & Content Agency
* Green Growth Life Ambassador of South Korea (with Lee Da Hae)
* Green Planet Movie Awards 2010: Best International Entertainer (Asia), Asian Cultural Ambassador of The Year, One of The Top 10 Most Outstanding Asians in Hollywood
* 2010 MTV Movie Awards: 'Biggest Badass Star'