World star Rain (real name Jung Ji-hoon) has been listed in the Year in Review 2007 of the Encyclopedia Britannica Online. He is only the third Korean figure to be included in the biographies section of the Britannica. The other two are poet Ko Un and President Lee Myung-bak. However, Rain is the first Korean entertainer to be mentioned in the annual review.
Britannica Online described Rain as a pan-Asian superstar, who topped Time Magazine’s online poll as the most influential person in the world in 2007, although the article did not fail to mention that Rain’s status was undoubtedly the result of his fans’ dedication. The world-renowned encyclopedia also compared him to American idol star Justin Timberlake and introduced Rain’s past works in music, TV and film.
The annual review of the Britannica includes the year’s major events and figures. It is not that often an entertainer is introduced in the encyclopedia. Rain’s fans welcomed the inclusion, saying that the inclusion of his biography on the Britannica demonstrates the breadth of his influence in the world entertainment business.
Source: KBS World
