Rain (entertainer)

Rain during a performance in 2005.

Rain, aged 16, debuted as a member of a boy band named Fanclub (팬클럽).[9] Despite releasing two albums, the group failed to be commercially successful.[10][11] On May 13, 2002, Jung debuted as a solo singer with his first solo album titled Bad Guy where he was introduced to the media through his stage name, Rain. Two singles were released from the album—the eponymous title track "Bad Guy" and "Handshake". Following the success of his debut, Rain released his second album, How to Avoid the Sun[lower-alpha 1] on October 16, 2003 with the lead single "Ways to Avoid the Sun", again to commercial success.[12] From 2002 to 2003, he became a host for KBS's Music Bank.

Rain then released his third album, It's Raining on October 8, 2004, which further consolidated his popularity throughout East and Southeast Asia. To promote the release, Rain embarked on his first tour, Rainy Day Tour, which spanned a total of 14 concerts in 8 countries.[13] The album went on to sell over a million copies in Asia,[14] cementing Rain's position as one of the region's top musical acts. According to JYP Entertainment, Rain earned US$35 million in revenue from promotional activities and endorsements throughout 2005.[15]

Rain in Bangkok 2007

As part of his Rainy Day Tour, Rain held a two-day concert at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City in February 2006. It was the largest concert by a Korean artist in the city at the time, attracting over 10,000 people, and was sold out within a matter of days.[16] The concert featured appearances from Park Ji-yoon, as well as JoJo, P. Diddy and Omarion and was promoted by the Asian concert production company Rainstone Live.[15][17][18] In April 2006, Rain was included in Time magazine's list of "100 Most Influential People in the World".[19][20] Rain released his debut Japanese album, Eternal Rain on September 13, 2006, which peaked at number 14 on the Oricon Albums Chart.[21]

After his Japanese promotions, Rain followed up with the release of his fourth album, Rain's World on October 14, 2006.[22] It was the 9th best-selling album of the year in South Korea, and a repackage of the album was released 2 months later. In support of the record, Rain held a free promotional concert at the Seoul World Cup Stadium one day prior to the album's release in front of 40,000 fans.[23] He subsequently held his second concert tour titled the Rain's Coming World Tour, which began on December 15, 2006 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul.[24] It continued through 2007 to various parts of Asia,[25] Australia,[26] United States, and Canada[27] and was well received. Rain performed two concert dates in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 23–24, 2006, held at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for a total of 7,600 fans.[28]

In April 2007, Rain topped Time Magazine's online user poll, defeating Stephen Colbert by 100,000 votes;[29] Colbert jokingly retaliated by producing a parody of Rain's music video for "Ways to Avoid the Sun" called "He's Singin' In Korean", and challenged Rain to a dance-off or a "cuddle-off", or a "spoon-off".[30] He also made it into People's 2007 list of the "Most Beautiful People" in the world.[31] 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.[32] On May 25, 2007, Rain became the first Korean artist to hold a concert at the Tokyo Dome, which attracted nearly 40,000 attendees.[33] Later that year, Rain left JYP Entertainment to start his own company, J. Tune Entertainment, but still retains his collaborative relationship with Park Jin-young. 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 on a Dance Dance Revolution machine.[34][35]

Rain at Sepang International Circuit F1 2011 post-party concert, Malaysia

In January 2008, Rain was tapped to sing the theme song of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, "Hand in Hand".[36] He also performed at the Beijing Olympic closing ceremony in August, singing the closing theme song “Beijing, Beijing, I Love Beijing”.[37] On October 15, 2008, Rain released his fifth Korean album, Rainism, which spawned the number one hit single "Love Story". The music video for "Love Story" featured Korean actress Ha Ji-won. A second single, titled "Rainism", was subsequently released. Rain held a comeback showcase for the album, and appeared in a two-day special program where exclusive footage and interviews of the singer was shown.[38][39] On November 24, 2008, the Commission of Youth Protection deemed the album inappropriate for people under 19 years old because the lyrics in the song "Rainism" were considered problematic due to their phallic and sexual references.[40] Rain re-released a "clean version" of "Rainism" shortly after, but instead of changing the original album's contents, a sticker was placed on the album that prohibited its sale to those under 19 years old.[41]

In October 2009, in support of his fifth album Rainism, Rain kicked off his third concert tour, The Legend of Rainism Tour with two shows at Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul on October 9 and 10.[42] It continued with concerts in various parts of Asia and at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 24–25, 2009.[43][44] On April 6, 2010, Rain released a special mini-album titled Back to the Basic,[45] including the singles "Love Song" starring Han Ye-seul in the music video[46] as well as "Hip Song". Once again, Rain topped the Time 100 reader's poll.[47] In October, Rain represented Korea and performed at the 7th Asia Song Festival, organised by Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, at the Seoul Olympic Stadium.[48]

In 2011, Rain made his third appearance at the top of the Time 100 poll and the second time as a finalist. Time describes his win as "The South Korean pop star turned actor Rain, 28, took the top spot in the Time 100 reader poll for the third year, trouncing competitors from Barack Obama to Lady Gaga. That's pretty impressive online power for a guy whose main claim to Western fame is a role in the 2009 film Ninja Assassin."[49] Along with the Time honor, Rain went on a farewell tour, The Best Show Tour, before his 21-month compulsory military service.[50] The tour spanned Southeast Asia including his first tour dates throughout South Korea.[51] His last concert, Rain: Last of The Best was deemed as the best event in Gangnam District for 2011.[52]

On September 17, 2013, it was officially announced that Rain signed with Cube DC, a sub-label of Cube Entertainment After signing with Cube DC, it was announced Rain would be going on his first tour since his discharge. The 2013 Zepp Tour: Story of Rain saw Rain perform 10 dates in four cities in Japan over a few dates in November.[53] In October, Rain held his first fan meeting since his discharge in Seoul.[54]

As a precursor to his new album, Rain starred in a reality show Rain Effect, which premiered on December 19, 2013.[55] The new album, titled Rain Effect, was released on January 2, 2014 with music videos for double title tracks, "30 Sexy" and "La Song".[56] A few months later, Rain released a repackaged version of the album, featuring the ballad single "I Love You".[57] On September 7, 2015, Rain announced through his Facebook page that he and the CEO had come to a mutual decision to not renew his contract with Cube Entertainment.[58] On October 11, he announced through his official website that he had created his own one-man agency with the aid of his longtime manager and other entertainment figures.[59]

Rain performing during The Squall World Tour in Shenzhen, 2015

From late 2015 to 2016, Rain embarked on his second world tour, titled The Squall World Tour.[60][61] On December 12, 2016, R.A.I.N. Company announced that Rain would release a new album in 2017 with a series of promotional activities to accompany his musical comeback.[62] He released the single "The Best Present", produced by Psy on January 14, 2017.[63] In October 2017, Rain appeared as a mentor on KBS' survival audition program, The Unit.[64] On November 7, it was announced that Rain would come back with a new mini album in December[65] with a comeback special titled 2017 Rain is Back airing December 3 on KBS.[66] The comeback special was followed by a series of variety and music show promotional activities.[67] Rain's album, My Life was released on December 1, 2017.[68]

In mid-May 2020, Rain's 2017 music video and song "Gang" from his second EP My Life went viral on YouTube in South Korea for its overly bombastic production, choreography and mannerisms, and self-absorbed lyrics after a parody dance video "1 Gang a Day" by a high school student released in late 2019 became a sensation online.[69] Rain embraced his newfound fame with grace and self-deprecation, inviting more interest towards the song and invoking more parody videos. The phenomenon ― consuming, leaving comments, producing parodies ― blew up further after Rain's appearance on MBC's television program Hangout with Yoo.[70] An official remix version of "Gang" by Sik-K, PH-1, Jay Park, and Haon was released on June 4, 2020 and topped all real-time charts upon its release.[71]

Rain joined Mnet's survival reality show I-Land, which premiered on June 26, 2020, as a judge and mentor.[72] Rain also featured in Zico's song "Summer Hate" from his third EP Random Box, which was released on July 1, 2020.[73] In the summer of 2020, through Hangout with Yoo, Rain, under the stage name B.Ryong, collaborated with Yoo Jae-suk and Lee Hyori to form a summer project co-ed trio SSAK3.[74] The group's song "Beach Again", released on July 18, 2020, topped various music charts upon release and topped the Gaon Digital Chart for five consecutive weeks.[75] SSAK3 also released "Play That Summer" as well as solo songs, including Rain's "Exciting" featuring Mamamoo, on July 25 as part of the group's project.[76] In December 2020, Rain was recognized as one of the ten "2020 Visionary" figures, selected by CJ E&M, who inspired the global public with their pioneering work in Korean pop culture in 2020.[77]

Rain is set to release a new album after three years. He reunited with his mentor Park Jin-young to release the collaboration song "Switch To Me" on December 31, 2020.[78][79] Rain also featured Chungha and released the song "Why Don't We", which is the title track for his third EP Pieces by Rain.[80] On March 3, 2021, Rain released his new EP, which includes five songs, including "Switch To Me" and "Why Don't We".[81]

Rain made his television debut in the KBS drama, Sang Doo! Let's Go To School (2003).[12] The drama achieved good ratings and he won the Most Popular TV Actor award at the 2004 Baeksang Arts Awards. In 2004, Rain's popularity continued to climb when starred alongside Song Hye-kyo in the hit romantic comedy series Full House, which drew solid viewership ratings nationwide throughout its run with a peak viewer rating of 42.7 percent.[8] The series was broadcast in various parts of Asia as well as the United States, garnering much popularity and establishing Rain as a Hallyu star.[82] His performance in the drama won him the Best Actor award at the KBS Drama Awards.[12] Rain next starred in action romance drama A Love to Kill opposite Shin Min-ah.[83] In 2006, Rain made his big-screen debut in romantic comedy film I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK, directed by Park Chan-wook.[84] The film won the Alfred Bauer Award at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival,[85] and was selected as the opening film for the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Rain was nominated for and won the Best New Actor award at the 43rd Baeksang Arts Awards.[86]

In 2008, he starred in his first English-language film, playing Racer Taejo Togokahn in Speed Racer, directed by the Wachowskis.[87] He then 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 Wachowskis.[88][89] 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.[90] For his first Hollywood lead role in Ninja Assassin, Rain trained alongside stuntmen for six hours a day, over six months.[91] He won the Biggest Badass award at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards for his performance.[92]

Rain at the premiere for Hot Young Bloods in January 2014

In 2010, Rain returned to the small screen after five years with KBS action drama The Fugitive: Plan B, in which he plays a young, rich and cunning Korean private investigator.[93][94] This was followed by a leading role in the aviation film R2B: Return to Base, which was released in August 2012.[95] In 2013, it was announced that Rain would appear alongside Bruce Willis, Jason Patric, and John Cusack in the film The Prince.[96] Filming took place in the United States, including in New Orleans.[97] The film premiered in select theaters in 2014, and was also released as video on demand.

Rain made his small-screen comeback after four years in SBS's musical drama My Lovely Girl (2014), opposite Krystal of f(x).[98][99] He also starred in a Chinese romance film, For Love or Money alongside Liu Yifei. The film, which is Rain's Chinese film debut, premiered in November 2014.[100][101] In December 2014, Rain started filming for his first Chinese drama Diamond Lover, co-starring Tiffany Tang.[102] The drama premiered in July 2015 and achieved huge success, earning high ratings throughout its 24-episode run and reaching 3.3 billion views online.[103][104] Rain next starred in the SBS drama Come Back Mister, which began airing in February 2016.[105][106] In May 2016, Rain was cast alongside Victoria Song in the Chinese drama Endless August.[107]

In March 2017, Rain was cast in the movie Uhm Bok-dong based on a true story that took place during the Japanese colonial rule.[108] He starred as the real-life cyclist hero Uhm Bok-dong alongside Kang So-ra.[109] In 2018, Rain was cast in JTBC's action drama Sketch as a detective.[110][111] In 2019, Rain was cast in MBC drama Welcome 2 Life.[112] In 2022, Rain starred in TVN drama Ghost Doctor, alongside Kim Bum.

In terms of singing and dancing, Rain has been influenced by Michael Jackson, Usher and Justin Timberlake.[113]

Rain is considered a "world star" due to his popularity, not only in South Korea and Japan, but throughout Asia, Europe and North America with fans in countries like China, Singapore, Thailand, Canada and United States. Much of his popularity is attributed to his various acting roles (varying from television like Full House to indie films like I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK to blockbusters like Ninja Assassin). Before landing his role in Speed Racer, he had expressed the desire to expand beyond the Asian market when he stated in an interview, "The reason I am active in Japan, Hong Kong, China and around Asia is that I want to succeed here and then go even more international...I would really like to see, is a top Asian artist emerge strongly from the Asian market, and then go on to succeed in the U.S. market."[114]

Rain's appeal to all demographics has made him one of Korea's highest-paid celebrities by endorsers with an asking price of $1 – US$1.5 million per endorsement. Over the years, he endorsed brands such as Hyundai, Lotte, KB Card, Pizza Hut, Thailand dairy company Dutch Mill, Chinese pastry Fu Mu Cakes, Pantech, LG Electronics, SK Telecom and Pepsi. Rain has even done songs to tie-in with endorsement deals. "Still Believe" was used as both an ad and a music video for BMW Korea's "Meet the Truth" campaign with appearances by Rain as well as JYP. "Memory in My Hand" and "Any Dream" were used in campaigns for Pantech and Samsung, respectively, in China. With his booming popularity throughout the world, he has been deemed a "cultural ambassador" as he has represented South Korea in inter-Asian musical events and has appeared in a Thai published textbook.[115]

Six to Five was Rain's first clothing line, since it also was his dream to become a fashion designer.[116] It was launched on December 23, 2008 and was followed by a "fashion show–launch party–mini-concert" to introduce "Six to Five". He designed and modeled for the clothing.[117] The label "Six To Five" is described by Rain as the idea of having an extra sense (i.e. from five senses to six), and is also said to represent his birth date, 6/25.[118] The line was discontinued and the online mall closed by the end of 2010.

In November 2007, Rain told the Korean media that he had 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 Entertainment's subsidiary, J. Tune Camp debuted MBLAQ, an all-boy group, in October 2009.[119] Rain actively participates in MBLAQ's music, either composing, writing, producing or choreographing dance routines.[120]

In December 2010, Park Jin-Young announced that J. Tune Entertainment would be merged with JYP Entertainment. It has become the largest shareholder in J. Tune Entertainment, and it is viewed as a strategic alliance between the two companies.[121][122]

On September 7, 2015, Rain announced through his Facebook page that he had decided to not renew his contract with Cube Entertainment. After much speculation due to his departure from Cube, Rain's official website announced he had created his own one-man agency.[59] In setting up the agency on a U.S.-based system, his Chinese activities will be managed by H Entertainment and Jason Jang while his American agency will still be WME. His music activities will be handled by longtime manager Kim Yong Bae while his acting venture will be handled by Park Jong Sun.

On December 12, 2020, Rain announced that he will debuting a boygroup known as Ciipher in 2021. The group consists of 7 handpicked trainees by Rain himself, most of whom had been previously on survival shows such as YG Treasure Box, No.Mercy, ProduceX101 and Under Nineteen.[123]

From 2005 to 2007, Rain donated money to have 50 drinking water wells and playgrounds built in Cambodia. He began taking up causes related to children by participating in the Love Photography Exhibition to help find adoptive parents for children in government care, donating a percent of his 2006 and 2007 World Tour concert proceeds to children orphaned by AIDS and participating in the Green Ribbon Hope Walking Campaign to raise funds for prevention and to help find missing children. Due to his work, he was appointed World Vision HIV/AIDS Ambassador.[124] In recent years, Rain has been an advocate for environmental protection going as far as to volunteer in the Taean oil spill cleanup and donate 300 million won for clean water and clothing for the residents in 2008.[125] In 2009, Rain was involved with MTV EXIT, a campaign against human trafficking in Asia.[126][127] Over the years, he has performed at concerts for various charitable causes.[128]

Rain fulfilled his mandatory military service from October 2011 until July 2013.[136][137] He was named the top marksman of the 5th Infantry Division boot camp,[138] and was chosen as the assistant instructor.[139] He was appointed promotional ambassador by the Military Manpower Administration,[140] and appeared in a documentary about the defense industry entitled "Defense Report 2012".[141]

In January 2013, Rain confirmed that he was dating actress Kim Tae-hee,[142] which then caused an investigation into whether his dating had broken military rules during his mandatory military service.[143][144] In 2014, he was baptised with the name Micheal[145] as a Catholic, the same religion as his wife.[146] The couple married on January 19, 2017, after five years of dating.[147][148] On October 25, 2017, Kim gave birth to their first child.[149][150] She gave birth to their second child on September 19, 2019.[151]