kdrama and kpop

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Korean pop star Rain is returning to the local music scene for the first time in two years. The 26-year-old singer will release his new album ``Rainism,'' hold a showcase and also appear in a two-day special program on MBC this and next Friday.

Rain has been busy exploring his talent as an actor in Hollywood for the past couple of years. His first movie ``Speed Racer'' was in theaters this summer, and he has just finished filming ``Ninja Assassin'' with its release scheduled for next year.

Making his debut six years ago, Rain has come a long way as a singer and actor, making difficult choices along the way. The parting with his old friend and producer Park Jin-young and decision to move overseas to expand his boundaries, raised worries and expectations alike, but the hard-working star made it through.





``Speed Racer'' was not a huge hit as many fans wanted it to be, but some were simply thrilled to see Rain at the film's premiere with famous stars like Susan Sarandon and Matthew Fox.

To celebrate his comeback, MBC will show exclusive footage of Rain over the past five months. The program, this Friday's dubbed ``Rain is Coming'' (working title) and next week's ``Me, Rain, Dance'' will show Rain during the filming of ``Assassin,'' working out for the role, recording his fifth album and other scenes for the first time.

Scenes of the singer/actor working out for the assassin will show that it is not easy to act the main role in a Hollywood movie. Rain's U.S. agency William Morris Agency (WMA) made a team to help him out during his busy schedule, while the training team from the movie ``300'' helped him create a perfectly chiseled body in a short period of time. From martial arts training, dieting to memorizing lines, the program will get up close and personal with the singer/actor.

The shows will also reveal exclusive cuts of interviews with director McTeigue, fellow actors Naomi Harris and Fox, Warner Bros. Pictures' star producer Joel Silver (The Matrix, 1999), WMA's senior vice president John Mass and fans from all over the world, finding out what they think about the Asian star who has started to move through the U.S. movie scene.

Before Rain started out as an actor, he was one of the most popular and powerful dancers and singers in the Korean pop scene. MBC will also reveal what the singer has been going through to make his new album work, both here and overseas. Viewers will be able to watch the process of the album making: writing lyrics, producing, recording, filming music videos and practicing dance moves.

On Thursday, Rain will meet fans for the first time at his showcase, which will be held at MBC's Dreamcenter in Ilsan, Gyeonggi. According to program staff, Rain put great devotion into his comeback event, as it has been a long time since he met local and Asian fans. There will also be a special interview session with actress Kim Sun-a, who Rain himself asked to appear in the show and interview him.

MBC's ``Rain is Coming'' will be aired Oct. 10 at 9:55 p.m. while ``Me, Rain, Dance'' will meet fans Oct. 17 at 10:55 p.m.

credits :sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2.../135_32272.html


Rainism?Very original Rain...