The far east is a strange affair. While at the forefront of technological advancement (building-sized robots that will rule us all one day) they, trend-wise they’re stuck somewhere between perms (for all people and ages), pastels, and Justin Timberlake. With all the foreign influence flooding into Asia through various channels, it’s inevitable that their social standards and interests will change, but there seems to be a living tape-delay.  One of the more popular sounds coming from Asia is from about ten years ago.  Boy and girl groups run rampant in the media and have huge success in most of Asia, not just
the individual countries.  This week’s artist is at the forefront of this wave, changing the game, and has even invaded our own media attention.  This week’s artist, in honor of Asian Heritage Month, is South Korea’s Rain (비 (pronounced “be”) is Korean for Rain).
Coming from humble origins, it was dance that originally inspired Rain.  It was in 2000 that Rain got his start for JYP Entertainment (they control most of the music in Korea) as a backup dancer and got his shot at the big-times in 2002. His catchy pop music became an instant success and he rose to stardom as Korea’s new golden child, at the top until this day. While boy bands, girl groups, and dance numbers may have taken a seat over the past few years here, many people still enjoy the sound of heavily-marketed pop. Were Rain to try his luck in the States, he’d have a damn good shot.  Sure, we may not understand what he’s saying, but it’s pretty catchy (unless you speak Korean…or have a translator).
Rain recorded se
ven full-length albums and managed to gain acclaim all over Asia.  While on vacation in other Asian countries, I couldn’t help but run into his music videos and boyish smile everywhere I went.  In Cambodia there even happened to be a public dance fitness instructor moving to his tunes from the popular, more mature album, Rainism.  But recording albums wasn’t the only trick Rain has up his sleeve.  He has been known for starring in many of Korea’s TV dramas and even won an award for his performance in the movie I’m a Cyborg, but that’s Ok, a romantic comedy about two patients in a mental asylum who find love.
His influence around the world is one that has been incredible. While still producing albums, Rain got his first U.S. acting job as the villain in Speed Racer and later starred as the main character in 2009’s Ninja Assassin.  He was even challenged by Stephen Colbert to a dance of after beating Colbert out of first place in Time’s sexiest people online poll in 2007. Rain, a good sport, took the challenge bringing his dancing skills back to the table. His all-around ability as an entertainer says that Rain can legitimately be argued the Korean Justin Timberlake.
Rain may not be a household name in North America yet, but his music, dancing, acting, and good looks are surely paving a way for his success here at home.  Someone who has truly worked his way to the top, it would almost be unfair for him not to.  While his fame certainly has people wooed in Asia, he still has work to do if he wants to make it to the big leagues (though earning a “biggest badass” award for Ninja Assassin is a bit of a help…no matter how bad the movie was). His latest EP, Back to Basics, shows that Rain is still going strong and doesn’t plan to give up the music game anytime soon.  Let’s hope he doesn’t.
Useful Links
1 thought on “Artist of the Week-Rain”
Comments are closed.