Dubbed the Usher or Justin Timberlake of Asia because of his charismatic presence and hip-hop-driven music, South Korean superstar Rain (Jeong Ji-hoon) is a force to be reckoned with. As an all-round entertainer, excelling in singing, dancing and acting, he sets a new high for superstars in Asia.
The pop icon performs in Kaohsiung tomorrow as part of his farewell tour before he undertakes South Korea’s compulsory two-year military service. His last concert here was in 2007, part of his Rain’s Coming tour.
Having trained as a dancer in his youth, the 185cm-tall entertainer is known for his flawless moves and explosive stage presence. Combining hip-hop, R ’n’ B and electronica, Rain is equally at home performing up-tempo dance numbers and crooning romantic ballads.
As an entertainer with a rigorously trained physique, Rain makes ripping his shirt off and flaunting his well-defined muscles an art form. The heartthrob is known for splashing water onto his toned body on stage and spattering water onto nearby fans.
A superstar in Asia since 2004, Rain’s profile skyrocketed internationally last year when he starred in the American action film Ninja Assassin, produced by the Wachowski brothers. The film was tailor-made for Rain after the director-duo was mesmerized by his supporting-role performance in 2008’s Speed Racer, also directed by the Wachowskis.
In April 2006, Rain was listed by Time as one of the “100 most influential people who shape our world,” and in 2007 was included on People’s “most beautiful people” list.
Rain’s ascent to stardom wasn’t always plain sailing. Rejected several times by JYP Entertainment (his former agent) because he did not have double eyelids, a traditional standard of beauty in Asia, he refused to resort to plastic surgery as many South Korean entertainers have done, and through sheer will and talent hit the big time, redefining audiences’ aesthetic tastes in the process.
MBLAQ, the boy group launched by Rain’s own management company J. Tune Entertainment, will appear as guests.
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