K-pop star Rain, a begetter of the K-wave, is going back to the U.S. after 15 years

Rain is making an extremely prepared for go back to the U.S. after almost 15 years– and he’s delighted about it.

Before there were K-pop heavy hitters like BTS — and member Jung Kook taking over the TODAY plaza —Blackpink, Twice, Le Sserafim and Seventeen, to name a few, Rain was the K-pop experience leading the way for the South Korean category.

Rain, whose genuine name is Jung Ji-hoon, has actually been making music given that he was 16 years of ages, in addition to starring in struck K-dramas and films like “Together with the Gods” and “The Last 49 Days.” Now, the 41-year-old is commemorating his decades-long profession by sharing his music with U.S. fans throughout his “Still Drizzling” trip.

” I’m so fired up,” Rain states in English through Zoom, before speaking in Korean with a translator. “I missed my fans in the U.S. … I’m simply actually pleased to be able to carry out once again. K-pop has actually ended up being a worldwide category.”

From Jung Ji-hoon, to Fanclub, to Rain

Born in Seosan, South Korea, Rain’s offered name is Jung Ji-hoon. The artist started his profession in 1998 as part of the kid band Fanclub. When the group didn’t acquire industrial success, he started his solo profession.

The name Rain, he stated, was provided to him by his manufacturer J. Y. Park, creator of JYP Home entertainment.

” It had 2 type of significances, since in Korean it implies rainfall– like water and rain,” he discusses. “However it likewise has the significance of ‘something was unfortunate.’ It has the significance of unhappiness.”

” And he informed me that the method I danced sort of looked unfortunate, so it had a double entendre,” he continues. “However then later on I simply utilized it as a correct noun so that individuals can remember me whenever it rains and think about me, be advised of me, when it rains.”

Rain’s development occurred with his 3rd studio album, “It’s Drizzling.” Launched in 2004, the album and title track made him a worldwide success– even getting acknowledgment in the U.S.

By 2006, he was included on Time’s 100 The majority of Prominent list and made another look on the list in 2011.

K-pop wasn’t at the stature that it seems in existing times, however one might state that Rain was the Korean act to understand. Billboard even called him “a leader of the Hallyu wave,” the name utilized to explain boosts in global interest in Korean popular culture. His obligatory military service in 2011 was likewise covered by the magazine, years before interest in BTS’ members’ own service

Beyond his music and dance relocations, his function in the 2004 Asian drama “Capacity” made him a television star and sealed his title as a triple hazard. Then there was his crossover, with looks in Hollywood movies like “Speed Racer,” “Ninja Assassin” and “The Prince,” starring Bruce Willis and John Cusack.

Structure a household

In the middle of Rain’s progressing profession and acquiring superstardom, he likewise fell in love. The artist keeps a fairly private individual life, seldom sharing images of his other half, star Kim Tae-hee, or their 6-year-old and 4-year-old children.

Rain and Tae-hee started dating in 2013. Throughout an episode of his web range reveal “Season B Season” in 2020, he shared how it “took one year” for his other half to succumb to him.

” I asked her out initially, and it took a long period of time to get her to state yes,” he stated, according to Soompi “It took one year.”

Rain and Tae-hee would go on to get wed on Jan. 19, 2017, holding a little wedding event at a Catholic church, per Soompi They invited their very first kid, a child, in October of that year.

The couple are likewise moms and dads to a 2nd child, whom they invited in September 2019. They have yet to share their children’ names.

While they keep their kids out of the general public eye, Rain and Tae Hee have actually collaborated on different tasks. The couple have actually remained in commercials together for La Cloud and massage chair brand name Bodyfriend, displaying their love for one another.

Reconnecting with his fans

In simply a matter of weeks, Rain will be bringing his “Still Drizzling” trip to the U.S. This will be his very first trip given that 2016, and his very first programs for U.S. fans in 15 years.

” I am preparing actually tough for this approaching performance and my music will be a mix of retro and trending music,” he states, “So (fans) will have the ability to enjoy it a lot. And another distinct point is that I’ll be singing other artists’ tunes for the very first time.”

The programs will run for over 2 hours and “have a great deal of amazing video, numerous tunes and dances,” Rain stated. Amongst those consist of tunes by Bruno Mars and K-pop group NewJeans.

The shows are referred to as “a mix of heart-pounding beats, mesmerizing tunes, and stunning visuals,” that will make long time fans classic, while likewise an amusing intro to brand-new fans.

” I simply wish to keep in mind the memories that I showed my fans in the past,” he continues. “I wish to do music once again. I wish to simply have a good time and enjoy this phase with my fans.”

What’s next for Rain?

” K-pop has actually ended up being so substantial worldwide now,” Rain stated. “It’s actually tough to deal with all the dancer groups also. They, themselves, have actually ended up being celebs.”

With social networks platforms linking individuals all over the world, Rain thinks his early hits might’ve gone viral.

” I have actually a tune called ‘Rainism’ and if ‘Rainism’ had actually been launched today, then I believe it would have gone a lot more viral on TikTok, Reels, on Instagram,” he stated. “Individuals would have the ability to sing along, dance along.”

Fans will have lots of chances to develop dance difficulties on social networks. Rain teases that he has a brand-new album that he’s dealing with and wishes to launch it in March.

” It’s extremely simple to listen to tunes and afro-beat sort of music,” he stated “I’ll be shaking my bottom a lot.”

Recollecting about his breakout function in “Capacity,” he jokes that he’s “too old” for romantic funnies– in spite of informing him that he is most definitely not.

The 2004 rom-com series followed an ambitious scriptwriter whose buddies deceive her into believing she won a getaway and covertly offer her home, called “Capacity.” While on her journey, she fulfills a popular star, played by Rain, and they end up being friendly.

Nevertheless, when she returns home, she finds that she is now homeless which he has actually purchased her home. A love occurs.

Nowadays, he states, “If I were to act once again, I wish to be associated with action or thrillers, or extremely psychological characters. I wish to be acting out those deep characters.”

It appears he will be blending both love and thriller in his upcoming drama, “Red Swan,” where he will depict a bodyguard to an abundant household. “I’m anticipating that,” he stated.

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