From Stephe’s desk: Rain’s closeness to BbaekGa (and to other guys) is pretty normal. Why do people make it a problem? :/

Can’t folks for one minute step out of their We Don’t Act Like That so It Ain’t Right Box? So what if it feels strange to you? So?? Different strokes, different folks. That’s what makes the world go ’round. That’s what makes it interesting.

I’m sure there are plenty of people around The ATL who don’t personally know me or Terri and would bet all their money that we’re “involved” because of how close we are when they see us and how often they’ve seen us together for 17 years, though we’re both straighter than the plank prisoners walk on a pirate ship. (If you looked right now, you’d see Louisville Slugger stamped on my backside. It gets no straighter than that.) And I’ve heard plenty of stories from friends in the States about the discomfort they’ve been made to feel in public, by strangers, when all they were doing was demonstrating love for a friend. Why does everything have to be pigeon-holed and defined and stuck with a label? Why can’t we just let people “be,” and keep our own yards clean? Huh?

I really enjoyed Heather B.’s post from S.Korea and wanted to share its thoughtful message. I wanted to say something in Rain’s defense. Thanks for letting me.

— Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com ^@@^

The Kimchi Chronicles 1/29/2011 — by Heather

Awesome things about Korea #29: Friends walking arm in arm together

Upon first arriving in Korea, it might seem a little strange to some foreigners how close Koreans will be with their friends. It’s not uncommon to see girls walking arm-in-arm or holding hands here. You can even see some guys doing this as well. Friendships are very close here in a way that I had never experienced before.

The first time I went shopping with one of my Korean friends, she slung her arm through mine like it was nothing. At this, I was a little confused, but after she explained to me how friends act with each other here, I was able to understand and even adopt the behavior. Now I find myself unconsciously slinging my arm through my friend’s before she can. I think if I tried to bring that home, though, my North Carolina friends would definitely be confused!

I remember one time in a class my students and I were discussing how friends interact in different countries. I explained to them that most of my friends and I greet each other with a wave, a hello, and a hug–especially if we haven’t seen the person in a long time. My students thought this was funny. When I told them that it was common in some European countries to greet friends with a kiss on the cheek, they went crazy. “Kiss your friends!?!” they laughed. “No way!”

Here I see friends waving and wishing their friends to “go well (안녕히 가세요!)” Sometimes this might be accompanied by a small bow, depending on who is speaking. When I bid farewell to my Korean friends, though, I always give them a hug. This sometimes elicits smiles or funny looks from other Koreans standing around. Sure, it’s a little different than what they’re used to, but why not incorporate a little Western tradition into the Eastern one?

— Heather

~ by Cloud USA on February 3, 2011.

101 Responses to “From Stephe’s desk: Rain’s closeness to BbaekGa (and to other guys) is pretty normal. Why do people make it a problem? :/”

  1. i had another thought about Jihoon and Bbaek-ga’s relationship the other day. i was thinking over the years, i’m sure Bbaek-ga has become apart of Jihoon’s family. probably comes and goes to visit like it’s his second home. Jihoon probably does the same thing to Bbaek-ga’s family. but my serious thought is Jihoon has to entrust the welfare of his father and sister to someone during his up coming absence. someone who he has complete faith in, and someone who he feels really cares and knows his family and who his family feels comfortable with. i just get the feeling that this could have been a topic of discussion between Jihoon, Bbaek-ga and the schoolchum who went on this trip too. i mean Jihoon has put his company in the hands of JYP, announced his disengagment from MBLAQ. no way would he not be doing things to ensure the well being of his loved ones. i mean yes, his dancers and maybe some we don’t know about, but i think Bbaek-ga represents the sibbling brother Jihoon never had. i feel he trusts him enough to have him looking out for his family while he is away. (just a thought that zipped into my mind)

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    • That is probably very, very true, Busy. I wouldn’t doubt it at all.

      Stephe ^@@^

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    • Busy,

      Somehow I missed your comment here until I was doing my January wrap-up for the website’s “Rain on the Horizon” page.

      Most of us are incredibly lucky if we have even ONE friend in our entire lifetime who becomes like family. I’m lucky enough to have one of those.

      Stephe is the sister I never had (but even better, because there’s none of that sibling rivalry crap that even my own boys experience from time to time). We are here for each other and for our families. We worry about each other. We spend as much time as we can together. We’ve even traveled together.

      And over the years, we have been through enough of the hard stuff to know that we can absolutely trust each other (And believe me, some of it was really HARD stuff).

      Friendships like these are rare. They are precious. And they should be TREASURED.

      And I sincerely hope that each and every one of you finds a friend like that for yourself someday.

      Terri :-}

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  2. @kongsao thanks for posting all those funny Fugitive videos. They are still so darn funny!! I still cry so hard and long when I watch the butt scene. That scene should be written in comedy history as one of the best comedic scenes ever done by an actor. Rain is just too hilarious to handle.

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  3. Well, this conversation have four interesting outcomes and what happen to get there I don’t know but lets THRUST foward to know them. 1- We all want to know Mr. Bia coz he is a hottie. 2- The Dark and Lovely No Lye is the better way to lay down our african roots and 3- We all want to do Rain. 4- Rain can’t be gay coz he THRUST too well. God saves us all!!! :DDD

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  4. ROLFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I know. Rain thrusting= naughty ideas 😀

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  5. Jeez! Some of these comments really have me cracking up here. You guys are too funny.
    Now I must go THRUST my head under some cold water so I can calm myself down after some of this imagery.

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  6. Kinda off topic…but I’m jealous of Na Young in that video…I want Rain’s butt mere inchs from my face too! (I really did just say that…lol. If he ever reads these comments and can put a face to our names I might just die of embarrassment but I think it would be worth it anyway).

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  7. ABOUT THIS!!
    Intersting all……………!

    World star Rain is the most representative among self made stars.
    Rain who lived in dire poverty when he was young, has accomplished many things over his career with his indefatigable spirit carrying him over all the obstacles to his life.
    In particular, his continuous efforts and challenging spirit are just the motive power of evolving into a world star over Asia.
    Rain who was the first Korean to have a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York, has proven it by being picked as TIME’s top 100 most influential entertainers in the world, and is adding a new page to his success history by working with Matrix sequels’ brothers Andy and Larry Wachowski.—-<—

    as for me Rain always gonna be My Inspiration and My Motivation,,
    no one can change Rain position where he started to where he is now shows how much determination he has rain is more challange person to his suceed nothing came to rain are easy here he work so much hard and work his butt, off for everything i feel so LUCKY knowing rain who can be top of thoes line evenbtually he is!!and he put all his effort in serious This man is gifted…not just in his talents in everything he do …but present and develop it perfectly…that gift is his ERSEVERANCE. an he in my heart and mind and eye to eye rain is sstrong HEEDONISTIC he can betray what ever he in for example in movies he is a type of person wanted to be best and show off his work how hardworking person he can be his sacifile u guys never regert and more is u even adimre him to the doub and as for me i say rain is a ture sensation carrie on his gold and make his like of entertinment and bussinese man for the rest of his life.. I AM SO PROUDS to be his clouds u cloud 9 is still alive ha hahahahah !! 🙂 rain is my MEGASTAR forever.

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  8. not be explained when you love someone!!!

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  9. @busybee2982
    Rain got a lot of kisses from his Hawaian Fansahahahhaah that would be be gret idea who say we not rain fan we can also across their city or country and give him hiom a beauitful kiss in fromt thoes socerity i mean did u remeber of the lawsuit and rain have to goes to hawain and thoes bunch of fans are hwating for and bough rain flower gift and even some of them give rain kiss and hug i remeber so clear he got a kiss with these sweet lasie and hug him will touch it like a true idol of her seeing rain coming down and give him a LOVE SUPORT !
    and everbody even went to his court for him even went to see rain at Airport of leaving him thay is what u called LOYAL rain even they are different but WHO CARE!!
    and he got wram up by so good not just even the new repoter even say rain alot tall then him do i remnber that busybee1982
    that was a very special of rain he got alot gift, hug and kiss from them i very envy all thoes fans and i hope one day i well get that kiss and hug from him too one these day!! 😉

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    • hahaha, yeap i remember all of that kongsao…i mean those Hawaii fans run from young, inbetween and how about the lady with a full WHITE head of hair? was she beautiful or what? those fans were a lot of help to all CLOUDS everywhere as we sent in our support and letters to the lawyers, judges etc. (it’s funny now), but OMG! i bet the legal system there must have thought we were all CRAZY. OMO, OMO ! remember the lawyers PC crashed. Cloud Hawaii set up a e-mail for us to redirect our mails, what a darn experience. kongsao, you already held the man’s hand and wouldn’t let go. you might not survive a kiss, girl. just saying.

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  10. WOW. This thread sure was a conversation starter, wasn’t it? LOL.

    Terri :-}

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  11. Just to add that the friendship between Rain and Baekga is so caring and beautiful that I always thought of it like it was a brotherly love, nothing more. Also, I think Rain is very elegant and has an excellent taste in fashion. There are other korean singers or groups that dress in more feminine fashions.

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  12. ATTETION !! ATTETION EVERBODY!!
    this what u should be watch and happy and free your mind and enjoy rain most harlious here CAME ON YALL give a proud here!!

    this one we should love rain most funny and keep u in mind!!

    this is for all u to enjoy the most sweet and lover rain for !!

    this one should crak all u up enjoy all!!

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  13. @StormofStarzZ2
    HI NICE MEETING U HERE !!
    i absublty agreed with u and i know i will follow my passion of my life and also with my ture and what it is and take on top this i add rain along
    A heart loves a heart…it matters not what the outside package looks like…nor how those hearts decide how to express that love…it only matters that they do love.
    the EXZACTLY we should be and be free for yoursself if u are in love. and i will keep that as my pleasure for life..

    Like Bia… also ssy their ~If Bi chooses to show public affection to his friend, it should be his choice to do so without ridicule or judgement from anyone and that true as for me i never say a bit of rain and his firend beak-ga in fact i even wanted them more firendship to grow as long it can be i watching rain concert, show, shooting, photo ect.. along with they seeme to very have such a very good time NOW!! that what u say a very best firend that u could even fine in a L.I.F.E….!!
    and i true belive rain is NOT GAY either who care really we all should STOP this topic and contiune your love of rain and what ever happen next i am so DONE talking here i a fell the space of bwt myself and rain need their own private spqace and life toooo sooooooooooooo I THINK WE SHOULD NEVER bought such to much topic here when u know for the fact rain and begk-ga are so inecent PERIOD… !!
    @diva
    i am Asian fron C.O.M.
    i glad knowing and talking here sweet!!

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  14. Wow…So many people said so many great things in this thread that I don’t know where to start.
    Firstly, I do want to say that I don’t think Rain is gay. I realized that people might have thought that’s what I was trying to say but not at all. I do tend to play the devil’s advocate in discussions a lot of the time, even though it might be totally different from what I actually think.

    @ Terri
    That sort of thing pisses me off SOOOOO badly. I just glared at my screen when I read that. It’s 2011 people… get over it! I’m glad he took steps to protect himself but I’m sad that he had to. smdh…

    @Bialamode
    :standing ovation:
    Loved what you had to say and I so agree. I totally had the same thoughts you did when I first started doing my Rain research but now I, like you, realize it’s just something they do. Shoot, I saw a pic of actor Jang Geun Suk wearing a sheer sweater w/ a bra-like contraption underneath (can’t say shirt because… lol… it wasn’t a shirt) the other day and I’m so used to it now that I just had to laugh. You go on w/ ya bad self, Sukkie! I also saw a pic of some other idol band member wearing a loose knee length onesie and gladiator sandals and I was like, “Hey, I want that!!” I’m beginning to see that Rain is actually relatively “tame” in his outfit choices, really…

    @ Gigi_rou
    Very well said… I know what you mean about the coldness… This internet society of ours is wonderful in some ways and not so great in others. On one hand, I can meet some fab people like you guys that I’d never have been able to meet otherwise. On the other hand, kids growing up these days are so much more likely to want to stay inside and be sedentary instead of being forced to go out and interact socially, like we were. Who knows what sort of impact this will have on society as a whole later on?

    @ Mari
    I give you props for being able to look past your cultural predispositions to accept the Korean culture and their differences. I know all about the Latin American macho thing and I’m sure it’s a difficult thing to do. 🙂

    @ Raindaisy
    Totally agree.

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  15. because people are jaded or prejudiced or afraid of things that are different from them, that’s why they make a big deal, they cannot accept love for what it is, if they love each other so what??…what kind of love they have, who cares??..does it really matters to any of us?..no..so as long as we love them for who they are is enough for me, do not judge and do not try to see context into something because you might be wrong…aja aja BI and Bbaeka!!..love you guys!!

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  16. Just wanted to break in and say how much I appreciate all of you having a dialogue here in response to this post, talking to each other, and being honest. ALL of you. You’re really special people, and JiHoon is really lucky to have you as his fans.

    (do carry on)

    Stephe ^@@^

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  17. A heart loves a heart…it matters not what the outside package looks like…nor how those hearts decide how to express that love…it only matters that they do love ^.^

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  18. Well, I have to admit that coming from hispanic roots where the “macho man” is king is has been choking to see Korean men touching male friends in such affectionate way. However, I finally understood that is a cultural thing and I accepted it as I accept the double kiss on cheeks in french culture. I think that before making a judjement about someone’s character you have to know where he/she comes from. I can’t said if Rain is straight or gay coz I don’t know him that much. He said his preference are girls and I believe him. End of story. Do I find that he sits in a man’s lap strange? Yes I do. Do I find strange that he sometimes dress with clothes that some women would use? Yes I do. But that’s coz is my background playing here and I can’t help it but that doesn’t means I am gonna said “oh, he is gay.” I won’t said it coz I have learned to keep my opinions in that aspect to myself. Every person is a world apart; they have secrets of their own and that’s their life and their choices. Rain is straight to me coz he said so but if he’s not, that’s his choice in his bedroom. I will love him no matter what coz the way he is as a human being.

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    • Wow, I’ve been out of the loop for a couple of days and I see this very interesting topic all abuzz.

      I am piggy backing off of Mari’s comment, because she brings up some thoughts I myself have had. When I first saw some of the TV interviews and variety shows these K-Poppers were on and I saw, what I felt, were very effeminate hairdos and clothing styles, I thought it odd indeed….at first. However, I have always been one to have an open mind about other cultures and eventually came to realize…..Hey this is the way it’s done in Korea, won’t “fly” in the U.S., but in Korea it’s Ok. Once I saw that this is HOW IT IS, not only in the Asia market, but in the the Korean culture in general, it was never a second thought. I have to admit the very public displays of affection among K-Pop males did give me pause and Bi sitting in the movie Director’s lap gave me a “Woah” moment, but there again I likened these things to one’s culture. Through my Western eyes these things may seem a little odd/strange, after all you can be physically affectionate with your male buddies/co-workers but you can’t hold hands/kiss a girl without fear that you will lose your career. However, I would not say My culture (Western) is The Only way human beings should be socialized, who am I to say that?

      As Terri stated in her comments that her son is really into his appearance. Well my husband cuts a FINE FIGURE in his clothing as well (if I’m allowed to say so)…..and sorry to say ladies if he and Bi were in a fashion show together, Bi would get a serious run for his money…..Just Saying (SMILES). In all seriousness I said that to say this, even among those in the AA community to wear your pants damn near buckled around your ankles is to be “manly”, ’cause that’s Cool. You can’t walk 2 feet without damn near falling flat on your a__s, but you’re a man. However, to wear clothing that is runway fashionable that ACTUALLY FITS your body is to be considered “suspect.” What a Twisted upside down society we live in! There was a time among our people to be neat/well-groomed was the sign of a gentleman and one to be respected and revered……No More. My husband will sometimes ask me how a certain style looks, so as not to garner the “wrong attention.” I tell wear whatever the hell you want to wear….whatever You feel comfortable in! You Know Who YOU Are!! It really pisses me off that he/anyone would have to worry about a G-Damned outfit so others won’t get the wrong impression!! The same goes for Bi and his friend.

      If Bi chooses to show public affection to his friend, it should be his choice to do so without ridicule or judgement from anyone. He says he likes girls, that is the word from his mouth to our ears and all that should matter in our world as far as he is concerned. What he does behind his closed doors, gay or straight, is no one’s business……PERIOD.

      At judgement, God will only be asking You about “Yo Sh__t.” He won’t say……”So My Child, What are your thoughts about Bi and Bbaek-ga being all up in each other’s grill?”….”Well, Lord….here’s what I think…….NOT!!

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      • All I know, BiAlamode, is I wanna see a pic of your husband.

        Like RIGHT NOW.

        Thank you.

        Terri :-}

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      • *peering over Terri’s shoulder for a glance at Mr. BiA*

        Stephe ^@@^

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      • If he’ll let me sure why not!……….(SMILES)

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        • Yay!

          You never know…Mr. BiA may have some Clouds of his very own very soon…:-}

          Terri :-} (ROFLMAO…and I’d just LOVE to know what he thinks of being called Mr. BiA.)

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          • Aha!……Ssh!…He doesn’t know he’s Mr. BiA. He knows I like Rain, but he can’t read just How Much…Oh Noooo! I would have to move in with one of my Cloud sisters (SMILES). He would be trying to read everything I post. He’s nosy like that. (SMILES) I did tell him about your request Terri. He said….”What?”….then (*crickets*). Translation (What’na hell have you been telling people). It may take a while…(SMILES)

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  19. @flower & Diva
    your point is how i feel too regradless of rain and beak-ga firendship together and long enought to his own big hyung they very a true adimreable and distance firendship for the longest and unforgetableness and extremly touch me by them firendship at one one i never think these 2 was guy that the bottom line..
    instead if even he isssssssssssss… <- IT VERY DOESN"T matter to me at all why i have see ton of gay been kiss and hug and even ask each other to get marry in front of the COURT !
    belive or not it true and reailty happen! THIS NO JOKE !
    and do i care NOPE!! the fact as long they are love and respeect other that all it take and homestly tell u the trus my cousin far side away they eventually have gay firend i found some of them so giggle and cute they are nice some gay are very nice and lovely u get my pomnit here ya…
    anway get back to rain even he striaght gay or NOT it was any effect to me what ever he feel free and happy for his life thatall it matter if u say u have your idol are and love for who they truly then bet it suporting and love to the end as for me i will stand for fopr what ever reason it is in his life not to mention that i love rain for who is is he smart he respect toelder and peoples around it doesn"t age him a bit he bow to his fans and everbody that touch me all the time esp at the airpot he alway bow and wayingg and hug them if he can,. rain got totally IMPACT also he honest humble as a hardwoking to his work and as for family fans and clouds he alway wanted us to be happy if we all happy he happy too!!
    rain have such full heartead person and i very see why i so devote to this person not gosh he all sexy hot all that i love and suporting for the fact he is amazing and a truly inspiration WORLD STAR for what his fit in..
    i will live my life up with him and his spirit alway with my heart even though if just a dream.. as for rain their nobody can replace his heart filter and humble like this guy is he DERSERVED all the hug and love from all his fans and clouds GLOBE !! and i am one one them if i can grap my changeeeeeeeeeee!! i will HUG him until out breath NO JOKE!
    WOULD U???

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  20. I find it very annoying that people have to label people this way. People are so uncomfortable with things that they don’t understand that they are ready to stamp a label on it. In my family we don’t really do anything special when greeting someone. However my aunt who married a man from Spain (my uncle now obviously,lol) has always greeted us with a kiss on both sides of the cheek, no big deal. If people would learn to be more accepting of other cultures the world would be a happier place. It’s sad that people in this day and age can’t be free to be themselves for fear of being judged…I mean it’s 2011 for pete’s sake.

    As far as Rain goes…at the end of the day, I just want Rain to be happy…gay or straight. He’s freaking hot either way.

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  21. @all
    just to a reminder PLEASE NOTE:
    THAT I AM NOT GAY either kiss or holding each other hand please note that ok!! btw.. by story above their is was pass it 10 years ago i just telling u my story what it happen before and how forgien is but please DON”T THINK and get me wrong here i clean person and i love rain for who he is and respect him much more then myself is so hug it not an issue going here am just telling here!!

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  22. @divalcious
    yeah i feel kimnd ashame too this particular new all around you this was a while ago !!
    now i leaving out with nonesense of this rumor of anymore where i live and stay it quite good connection and good relationship with racer meaning i can be firend with anybody i feel like and we actually can see many of their best firend respected theur right and knowing the different of what i have been threw for that gay i am actually happy where i live here in Califorina whchies where i stay in small hometown and free like happinese here coz these peoples i know and experince was NOT like what i see before they sweet firendy and
    some of very so pilite to u alot and i am happy to found firend across national and meet them also knowing rain it change my alot i meet peoples fanclub and event went to his concert ect… it trun my life around and became more happy and i felt like i have firend here and their u know and thankfully that if coz rain i would not be here today meeting u and rest of the cloud and weblog here right !! i am happy for rain and myself along with my firend here they keep alive.
    btw…
    @divalcious
    may i ask u what national are u ??

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  23. I’m not shocked by this kind of relationship between friends.
    Personally, I think it’s sad because boys are so distant with girls because they are just girls! Maybe it is shyness !
    Physical distance maintains mental distance between people.
    I’m convinced we should kiss each other to say hello, to say thank you, it’ll be the best way to break this distance. When we come from different countries it’s more primordial.
    It’s precisely this distance who kills people all around the world (this a symbol, of course).
    I encourage everyone to hold, kiss, get closer.
    Rain should kiss his fans, I’m sure he would be happier … and his fans too!

    Love you all…

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    • I’ve seen pictures of him hugging some fans but never kissing. I agree more hugs and kisses for us fans, Ji Hoon!

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      • LOL!!! I agree start giving out kisses and continue giving hugs from Rain to his fans would be awsome!!!!!! I hope I am one of those lucky fans.

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        • Rain got a lot of kisses from his Hawaian Fans, hahah he extended his hand for a shake and they extended their arms. hugged him and kissed him.

          talking grinning from ear to ear!! that was so cute.

          but i don’t think it would be healthy for fans if he did it. they’d probably just collasp on the spot, hahaha

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          • Good point, hahaha. People truly couldn’t take it, on the real tip. There are fans who have never even TOUCHED the man yet are right now living in a serious fantasy world that he is/will be their physical lover. (It’s kind of scary. Really scary.) Lord, him kissing fans even in friendship would open up a whole new world of trouble and you can be sure he already knows that.

            But nothing says we can’t go Hawai’ian or European and kiss him LOL! Hehehe. Aja! 😀

            Stephe ^@@^

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          • @ stephe….damn i feel like ur explaining me….ohh i totally feel like a STALKER!!! lol but i can dream tho, CANT I?????

            恥ずかしい

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            • LOL! Actually, you’ve never struck me as that way at all, just a lot of fun. LOL

              And honestly, who amongst us hasn’t thought of how amazing that would be, being the woman that JiHoon loves mind and body? Hm? We all have. That’s how he’s packaged himself, and who can help it, if you’re human? And to hell with age. I’m just sayin’. 😉 BUT… there’s a HUGE difference between 1) good healthy JiHoon fantasies/daydreams/hot flashes/wanting-to-see-him/wanting-to-meet-him/wanting-to-do-him/having-his-pics-and-music-daily… and 2) being so caught up in the man that your thinking is truly skewed and people notice it without trying hard. That scary stuff. *shudder*

              Stephe ^@@^

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          • ahahah so i can tell ppl that its HEALTHY for me to image Jung Jihoon in a pair of Calvin Klein briefs standing in my bedroom doorway??? i can just say its for my glycoma and high blood pressure?!! ahh he IS my medicine, like snoop dog said “gota have my medicine!”

            also i wish rain would “package” himself on over to MY ADDRESS. he doesnt even have to put a bow on it……ill take it unwrapped *wink*

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          • Lol @ these comments. It’s so totally true… I haven’t noticed any stalker-ation on here but I’ve seen some THANGS on other sites. If it seems crazy and scary to me, I can just imagine the way it must skeeve Ji Hoon out. If you have time to write to this guy 234839482 times a day, you have wayyyy too much time on your hands.
            On here, everyone just seems to like to have fun w/ it and to say stuff to make people smile and laugh.
            And anyway, if I saw him in person I SWEAR I wouldn’t be the person that’s being dragged behind him by the legs while he’s trying to walk. Cross my heart! 😉

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          • ROFL.

            Terri :-}

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          • Oh please… if he hugged me, my legs might give out and then I’d be forced to grab onto him tightly and then he might be forced to pick me up……
            Oh wait… :rubs hands together:
            What a great plan… I’m calling that Operation Yeah Right…More like Operation Security-Get-Over-Here-And-Get-Her-Off-Me!

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          • ROFLMAO!

            Kimchi Fighting!!!

            Terri :-}

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          • @Diva,

            You are right about the “scary” posters. There is one I have seen on another Rain fan site that just “Pines” for him in way that makes you think….Hon’…he’s Neeevver gonna respond to you.

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            • I don’t know which scares me worse… that type, or the more subtle ones.

              And sometimes my frustration (because Rain has enough pressure as it is without all that) gives way to pity and I think to myself, man, what a terrible thing that person has to be living in if they have to use him as a serious escape like that. That poor girl/woman. But that’s sometimes. Mostly I worry and hope that it doesn’t affect JiHoon as terribly as I think it does. He’s a sensitive human being who is greatly affected by people’s pain, especially when they make it his fault, and I honestly don’t know how much he can take without there being consequences. 😦

              Stephe ^@@^

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          • okay im confused about what u guys are talking about. does Rain have some Stan fans out there? so there are ppl that do crazy stuff and write to him everyday?

            WOW

            i got a full time job and am a senior in college. I AINT GOT TIME TO BE STALKING NOBODY! i love rain in all but i got a life to. im graduating with a b.a. in fashion marketing so i hope to one day meet him through the fashion world but until then I AINT TRIPPIN!

            IM NOT running after NO MAN! no matter rich/poor or like lil wayne says “long hair, dont care!”
            these stans need to STOP TRIPPIN!

            Like

  24. I must be psychic or something. I was thinking about this very topic recently. I dont believe he is gay either (but if he was I would not care and still love him to pieces) just very busy and doesn’t trully have time for a girlfriend. It must be his age or something because once a girl or boy hits their 30s and they are not married or seen with anyone the rumors start to circulate like a bad virus.

    I think when he’s ready he will find someone to have those daughters with he really wants. I can relate actually because Im exactly his age give or take two weeks and my mother’s friends question my sexuality too sometimes…lol.

    Also, In my culture it’s normal to hug and kiss your friends on both sides of the cheek when you greet them, even your friend’s husband. I notice a lot of my fellow americans are touch phobic though and are freaked out by human interaction (must be the loss of one to one communication in favor of email and such in my humble opinion) You notice this more and more with younger generations. I am a constant observer of people in public and I almost always feel a coldness and inhuman quality from a lot of them that I did not notice as a child growing up in the 80’s.

    Like

  25. Lol well it was not my intention to get anyone going with my comments on this matter. Do I think Rain and Bbaekga are bffs? Of course, and I think it’s awesome. Real friends are hard to come by and you have to keep them close. Do I think Rain is gay, whether he’s said so or not? I really don’t care, one way or the other. Heck, he could be bi, for all we know. Do I think he’d admit if he was to the media? Hellsss no, ESPECIALLY not in Korea where they are ultra conservative. Would I get bent out of shape about someone being gay or straight that I do or do not know personally? Definitely not. We all have to keep things in perspective.

    @aprilshowers
    My comment about grinding was that you said you know for a fact Rain is straight because of how he grinds on women. I know a guy that was a really good friend of mine that occasionally liked to sleep with women. When I say gay, I mean he is as gay as gay can be but has hit on me more than once. Ever heard of the Kinsey scale? I also have known many gay men that look, act and seem “straight”, aka not stereotypically gay, including my brother. Anyway, I’m just saying that you never know and I never like to assume (though I do have excellent gaydar!). Fyi, discussions are great, as long as there’s no name calling or hair pulling! 🙂 I enjoy learning new things on the daily.

    In the end, I love Rain because he’s an excellent performer, he seems incredibly genuine and he’s hot as hell. I’ll continue to love Rain and stand behind him no matter what. Would I stop thinking Rain was sexy as hell if he wasn’t straight? Hellllssss no! Lol….
    That’s just my 2 cents on the matter.

    Like

    • Loved what you had to say. It was very, very well stated and true. I agree 150% with everything you stated below:

      “Do I think Rain and Bbaekga are bffs? Of course, and I think it’s awesome. Real friends are hard to come by and you have to keep them close. Do I think Rain is gay, whether he’s said so or not? I really don’t care, one way or the other. Heck, he could be bi, for all we know. Do I think he’d admit if he was to the media? Hellsss no, ESPECIALLY not in Korea where they are ultra conservative. Would I get bent out of shape about someone being gay or straight that I do or do not know personally? Definitely not. We all have to keep things in perspective.”

      “In the end, I love Rain because he’s an excellent performer, he seems incredibly genuine and he’s hot as hell. I’ll continue to love Rain and stand behind him no matter what. Would I stop thinking Rain was sexy as hell if he wasn’t straight? Hellllssss no! Lol….”

      Like

    • @ diva

      no i have never heard of the Kinsey scale? what is tht? sounds intriguing. i totally get what your saying tho. BUT as much ppl are openly gay now im pretty sure he would not have hide it this long.

      sooooooooooooo….rain i am availble for coffee when u get time lol

      Like

      • @ april
        Google it… it’s interesting… You might not agree with it but it’s a study about human sexuality. I’m not sure how much I agree with it but it’s food for thought.

        And umm… Rain? I have a better proposition for ya: Food! And lots of it!
        Hahahaaa :flees:

        Like

        • Diva,

          Excellent plan. The man does love his food, after all.

          Cunning ladies we have over here at Cloud USA. Rain should be impressed. LOL.

          Terri :-}

          Like

          • Lollll…
            Oh come on! We all know that if you wanted to catch Rain in some sort of trap-like contraption, you know all you’d have to do is place little hors d’oeuvres and snacks in a trail leading to this contraption. And then… BAM! You got ‘im…

            Lol oh gawd… please tell me Rain doesn’t actually ever read these comments. I’m just kidding Rain! Really… :sheepish grin:

            Like

  26. of my experince been know as gay i i have to sometime peoples out their doesn”t relize or exceptt the fact of seeing gay love each other or even think it was wrong am just saying this happen alot in S. F. … but, come across me !! i have my cosed firen who are been together
    for long time period we shop, going out and party togther and one time me and her was holding hand that wiches i think it quick normal and as who u can hug and kiss and bow just like stephe mention on her story up their then my cousin relize that they would say we gay seeing us holding hand to each other i fell like i was bomout that monent it doesn”t mean i am gay and fall in love with we just been know each other so long and it quit normal for mew to be cloes to hold and run around and walk around that u would even care right??
    but u know other forigen would see that some are very eye look and some are very simular alot i also have chinese firend before what i knowes about that when they meet their long time firend they hug and give it each A CHEECK kiss it very noraml same thing in some france that i see in my own eye i know how it work around them but u know as other would acept it see… and i have to say they need to give them a respect and NOTTTTTTTTTTTTT thinking them gay of not nothing what sup with all these here..
    as for rain
    @Divalcious I totally agree
    with what you said below about Rain and gay men. I will say I just want Rain to continue to entertainment me for as long as he can and want. Also, for him to be happy: “In my eyes, if he’s gay, he’s gay and if he’s straight, he’s straight. :Shrug: Either way is fine w/ me.
    Not touching the grinding comment, as I know many gay men that would beg to differ. Just sayin’!”
    and u know rain he is a stright up person period and i feel alot of him btrwwwwwwwww… his family and firend i could not see why serent pppls make such a rumor about him of him gay serval time and post in the inter it get me make but their nothing we can do only rain can stright this out but i acept rain life and reailty is and i also know what get rain to became and founds Beag-ka his cloesd long firendship to be this guy and pray to lord i have to say without him rain would more no-one could keep him happy and confident and travel distance to distance what u see it what u get from rain and i respect rain so much that i even bag these firendship last for the rest of their life.
    i am so happy found rain and knowing him have such an HUMBLE firendship and along his firenship that u could replace it !!
    stephe i surly understand how u feel about this i just wish osome thoes folk should know and respect their life and keep common sen as well.

    Like

    • Kongsao,
      It’s awful that you had to change the way that you walk down the street with your friend. The U.S. can be so closed minded about things that are not “the norm”. To me, the norm is boring. We should all embrace different cultures and new things, right? Maybe it’s because I’m not from here that I think that but probably not. There’s bigotry, closed minded-ness and racism in Panama too. I’ve just always promoted and celebrated people’s differences ever since I was litte… probably because I’m kinda odd myself. 🙂

      I could bring up my own experiences growing up black in a predominatly white area and loving alternative music and having 99% of my friends be white. That only became something that I payed attention to when I moved to the U.S. because that’s when it became something out of the norm. But I digress… I just wanted to let you know that I know where you’re coming from and that it’s a shame.

      Like

  27. Thanks Stephe for this post…. I saw something on another site (some simple person’s comment) that bothered me, so I’m glad you brought this up.
    I too don’t understand why some people must try and pigeon-hole others based on their perceptions. Why? Why is it necessary? Cultures can be different and as Heather (Kimchi chronicles) pointed out there are some gestures that we have, that other cultures find very different. Ultimately, I think Jihoon and BaekGa have a very close brotherly friendship, which is a wonderful thing. Jihoon does not have a brother, and just a much younger sister (that he feels responsible for). To have a friend that you can talk and share anything with is special, and a great thing. Given the hardships that Jihoon has endured, along with the work and isolation that comes with being an Entertainer and World Star, and BaekGa probably has his own similar experiences and an understanding…. They have both been in and around the entertainment industry for awhile… I can see them having a lot in common.
    Bottom-line, I am happy for both Jihoon and BaekGa. True friends are hard to find, and when you do, they’re a blessing. Everyone should just be happy for them, and stop trying to add more into it or take anything away….
    Also for the record, (in the event someone just wants to “go there”) I have heard Jihoon clearly state “No, I like GIRLS”, when someone jokingly questioned him about boys vs. girls…. But even if he didn’t, I would still love him for who he is (and pray for him a little harder 🙂 )
    At the end of the day though – I BELIEVE WHAT JIHOON SAID! 🙂

    Like

    • very nicely said. very classy, i like it.

      lol me and my temper. i got bewildered at the audacity for someone to bring up such malarky. im calm now and your comment is to the point. if we all had a friend like bbaeka we’d all be better people.

      also i saw something on utube where rain was doin something for the gorgio armani line and was taking pictures with armani. rain was sitting in a chair and armani was on the armrest and armani tried to reach for the bottom part of rain’s jacket in his lap to fix it and rain looked at him like he had gone crazy and kinda snatched his jacket away and was shocked…. lol soo funny

      Like

    • I agree and well stated regarding Jihoon and BaekGa friendship.

      Like

  28. @ Stephe
    If I may ask, what caused you to post this?

    I actually really do wish that the U.S. was more relaxed about these types of things like it seems that some Asian cultures are. It would be nice if guys could hug and hold hands without people automatically assuming things.

    I find it very refreshing to see gender stereotypes in men tossed to the curb in Korea. Now I’m like, “Oh… Rain’s carrying a purse. Cute!” Rain is actually pretty “tame” in that respect, which I found out after becoming interested in other Korean idols. I’ve seen lots of hand holding and hugging and wearing of clothes that only women would wear here, amongst other things, and I say good for them. Did anyone see when Lenny Kravitz wore knee high wedge boots and a flowy shirt by Rick Owens and a purse? Noone would’ve looked twice in Asian countries but here it caused a furor. Ehh… good for him.

    Like

    • Hey, Diva. 🙂

      Nothing in particular happened today — it’s just something that’s been stewing in me for a while. And last night, when I ran across Heather B.’s post on her blog, I really was delighted by her observations and just… started typing.

      It’s not even so much a sexual orientation issue with me as it is why must we always make assumptions as if we know issue. About a week ago, I ran into a pretty disturbing debate that was going on on a Kpop news blog over U-Kiss, where the Kpoppers’ choices of wardrobes, their naturally slender bodies and the way they moved their hands sometimes apparently made them “not whole men” and U.S. women who were attracted to them apparently “were intimidated by real men”, whatever the hell that meant. Now, the U-Kiss defenders did a heck of a job holding their own; that was a real treat LOL! No problem there. But it was disgusting to me how someone could take an entire culture that has developed from decades and centuries and millennium of physical traits and behavioral habits and judge guys because “they dress and look girlie.” I mean what the hell do you know, dude? Unless you’re personally in their pants, you don’t. Looks don’t mean a thing, as I’m sure many of those KPop idol girls in those groups would tell you (about the shenanigans that go on behind the scenes between themselves and these guys) if it didn’t mean getting themselves in a crapload of trouble. Hahaha. Mama knows.

      Now, the U-Kiss thing and the Rain BFF thing have nothing to do with each other at all except for that ONE underlying factor — law-abiding people becoming targets when their looks or mannerisms are out of someone else’s comfort zone.

      (I also exchanged emails with someone recently who had a Rain BFF type experience of her own, after moving just outside of the continental States and having to change the way she walked down the street with her own friend. That really saddened me, and I’m glad she shared it.)

      Stephe ^@@^

      Like

    • @ Diva,

      Oh yes, Lenny and Rick. Yeah. LOL. Loved that.

      You know…my son (the musician) is one of those metrosexual guys. He always has been. He wears trendy clothes and has “Rain’ hair. (I swear that boy spends more time in the bathroom working on his hair than a girl would. Ha ha.) Anyway, my point is he’s quite “feminine” looking, just like many of our favorite K-Pop artists.

      Well, the way he looks don’t mean anything at all to people who know him–his family, his buddies and his fellow artists. No, his real friends don’t care how he looks, or whether he’s straight or gay or whatever. BUT…it’s unbelievable the amount of grief he gets from strangers. He got scared so badly recently by a group of macho asshole rednecks that he bought a phone with a taser on it, for protection.

      I don’t know what you think about that, but I think that it’s freaking nuts. People should not have to fear for their lives, or be afraid to walk down the street just because they are different from you.

      It makes me very sad.

      Terri :-}

      Like

  29. Amen, sister! Amen! I actually have loads of guy friends who are closer with each other than what many would consider normal. And many of them are married too (to women)! I am very comfortable with all my female friends too. We often kiss each other hello or goodbye on the cheek. As far as I’m concerned it’s perfectly normal to be that close to your friends. And why shouldn’t it be? There’s many kinds of love out there, and some friendships are closer than family. Some people are just too closed minded to appreciate that, I guess. Personally, I think its awesome that Rain and Bbaekga and others can be so affectionate with each other in public. It takes confidence and trust to do that.

    Like

  30. O HELLLLL NAW! if ANYONE QUESTIONS RAINS SEXUALITY WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A FREAKIN PROBLEM IN A MIN! this man is straighter than a lil girls HOT COMBED hair ON A EASTER SUNDAY! ohhhh PLEASE dooooonnnnttt scare me like this. my heart starting pounding. the sexuality of the sexist man alive is in NO DAMN WAY bet not being questioned by some dispicable HATERS IN web land. like chris brown says “all that bull ish is FOR THE BIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!”

    ohh i gota calm my self down…whew!!! ahh now yes he does seem close to bbaekga but its his bff. hell here in america chicks sit on each others lap. rain has not done such.

    jus look at how he perfoms. the way this man grinds HIS body is ONLY ONLY ONLY ONLY ONLY the doings of a straight man who knows how to PUT IT DOWN on a chick. THANK YOU, HELLO, GOODBYE ppl just take things out of proportion. oh LORDYY LORD

    私にしてください (help me please)

    これは頭がおかしい !!!!!!!!!!!! (this is crazy)

    P.S. sorry for going ghetto on you all but i had to get this off my chest!

    Like

    • Lol well there are pictures floating around of him sitting on the Fugitive PDs lap so he has done that.

      In my eyes, if he’s gay, he’s gay and if he’s straight, he’s straight. :Shrug: Either way is fine w/ me.

      Not touching the grinding comment, as I know many gay men that would beg to differ. Just sayin’!

      Like

      • yes i did see that pic of him sitting on his lap. it didnt really bother me tho becuz it was the director and in that industry directors and producers become very comforable with their colleges and workers.

        second i am going to be really honest right now and its my right as an american to do so………but u know what never mind because IM SURE it will become a full out heated opinionated discussion on ppls belief when it comes to gays so ima stay on topic. i visit this site to look (or gawk occasionally lol) at rain and dis sexiness so im not even gona gear off track on some FARCE accusations. its all stupid and we know rain is straight so im not even gona trip…….

        third im sure some gay men would beg to differ but id rather them keep their eyes off my PRIZE! there are PLENTY PLENTY PLENTY multi colored fish in the sea for them to choose from.

        im done! LOVE U RAIN!

        私は雨が好き

        we clouds have to stick together!

        Like

        • @aprilshowers07
          LOL, Is that Japanese…, did this topic get you going? Girl, I understand. 🙂

          Like

          • lolololol yes gir! im learning japanese right now cuz im goin to Tokyo in june but im not as fluent to be able to express my anger and frustration really quick so i use a lil online magic and TADA!

            今私は穏やかな

            it got me going!

            Like

          • @aprilshowers07
            You “Go Girl” with learning Japanese — very nice! I hear it’s one of the more difficult languages to learn. Myself, I’ve been taking Korean language courses, and it’s been slow, and I’m not a stupid person, but sometimes these classes make we wonder… 😉 I guess because I want to know it all – NOW!

            Aja, Aja, Fighting!!! 😀

            Like

          • yea when i first started buying rains albums i was like “ohh ima learn korean real fast” lol yea right. all i kno is I love u is “sarango ” or something like that. tho i daily listen to kpop, jrock and a lil classical jap from Kanon Wakashima i still cant grasp hangul. for japanese the jpop helps me tho in pronunciation. im planning to work and live in japan for 2 years real soon so i feel ill have plenty of time to master it.

            i hope u success in learning hangul, soon ull b able to talk to rain!

            Like

      • @Divalcious what do you mean by the Fugitive PDs lap? What do PDs stand for? Do you have a link to these pictures?

        To be honest I am not surprised this topic has not come up sooner. I thought the way Rain was fooling around on the set of the Fugitive with (Lee Jung Jin and Daniel Henney) someone might of said something then. I personally thought it was all in fun and very funny! However, I knew eventually someone was going to start saying something either about that or just in general of how close he is with guys. Because people look at Rain and see a hot sexy man but they never see him with any girls. I feel his personal life is noones business but people think this way. I think it it nothing wrong with his friendship with whomever. Rain need to live his life like he wants. Even on the Fugitive special someone brought this up. Some women off camera jokely said that people were going to think that Rain and Lee Jung Jin was dating or stomething along those lines.

        @Divalcious I totally agree with what you said below about Rain and gay men. I will say I just want Rain to continue to entertainment me for as long as he can and want. Also, for him to be happy:

        “In my eyes, if he’s gay, he’s gay and if he’s straight, he’s straight. :Shrug: Either way is fine w/ me.
        Not touching the grinding comment, as I know many gay men that would beg to differ. Just sayin’!”

        Like

    • @aprilshowers07

      Loved: “this man is straighter than a lil girls HOT COMBED hair ON A EASTER SUNDAY!”
      That is very STRAIGHT!!!

      I think Rain is a lover of people. I think he sees beauty in everybody and responds likewise. It takes a very special person to exemplify the character we’ve seen from Rain ESPECIALY in the entertainment business.

      I’ve noticed that Rain sometimes performs a typical feminine dance move/action but the thing about it is that it is totally MASCULINE For instance the dance on the stripper pole, when I first saw it I was like “What the heck?” but that performance was SMOKIN and not a femine thought entered my head. Believe me I was not thinking gay… and then I thought GENIUS! YEAH FLIP THE SCRIPT!.

      Rain likes to push the envelope and I think you have to be very confident in yourself to do that. Personally, I think he’s too familiar with the female form and male/female interactions when he performs to be gay. Are there things that are culturally strange to me? Yes, but so is taking a hot metal comb off the eye of a hot stove and running it through your hair. Straight or gay that’s his business but there is no denying the man is MESMERIZING!

      Like

      • @Dee,

        LOL!!!……..Many a day I sat in Gram’s kitchen with my little hands holding the corners of my ears to keep that hot comb from “zizzling” them. Boy did THAT bring back memories!!….(SMILES) It didn’t last long thank God. In came the kiddie perm.

        I must say you are so right. I never saw ANYTHING feminine about the stripper pole performance, nary a thought entered my mind….not once. I guess it was because of the Very Masculine Hip THRUSTING that entranced my psyche from the start! wasn’t Nutin’ girlie about That performance.

        There’s a lot to be said about the “Korean Masculinity Research Study”…….Bi is seriously “marketing” himself to a certain Female demographic. No Doubt!

        Like

        • REALLY Off Topic: I must say… before Rain came into my life, the word THRUSTING was never written or thought of in ALL CAPS. But these days, it’s absolutely necessary. Even when it has nothing to do with him. (Example: My inquiry on a NASA site recently about how many pounds of THRUST the space shuttle requires. And in a reply on a writing blog, about celebs being THRUST into the limelight.)

          JiHoon has rewired my brain, apparently.

          (just an observation… do carry on now) 🙂

          Stephe ^@@^

          Like

          • ROFLMAO!!!!
            :thuds to the ground in a dead faint from lack of air:

            Like

          • ROFLMAO….

            Well, let me THRUST my way into this intriguing conversation right now. Ha ha.

            THRUST is one of those lovely words that can serve as either a verb OR a noun in the English language. For example, as a noun, you could say something like: The main THRUST of Cloud USA is to help Jung Ji-Hoon propel himself into the U.S. spotlight.

            Or if you wanted to use THRUST as a verb, you might say something like: Before she knew it, Ji-Hoon had THRUST his way into her…

            …heart.

            What? What’d you THINK I was gonna say? (LOL and TSK TSK.)

            Frankly, THRUST is such a lovely word that I think it should be a requirement for all members to THRUST at least once a day here on Cloud USA. Whaddaya think, Stephe? LOL. :-}

            Terri :-} (And thus concludes your English lesson for the day. Thank you.)

            Like

          • @ Terri
            THRUST is one of those lovely words that can serve as either a verb OR a noun in the English language.

            OMG! You all have me dying LOL! All I can say is when it comes to the Ji-Hoon THRUST there is only one definition….BLUSH BLUSH 🙂

            Like

        • @BiAlamode

          THANK GOD FOR TNE PERM!!!….the no-lye perm cause that other stuff was worse than the staightening comb.

          Rain has definitely conquered the female demographic and on a world-wide scale 🙂

          Like

          • Oh lord you did not pull out the Dark&Lovely No-lye! Gah! 😀 Just when I thought I’d finally gotten over my hot comb nightmares.

            Seemed like no matter which way we turned, we were always getting burnt up back in the day. Haha

            Stephe ^@@^

            Like

      • @ Dee & Bialamode
        yes i always had to sit there by the stove to get it done because my mom never put a perm n my hair since my hair grows in straight. thank God for the flat iron……but somehow i end up getting burnt by that too!!!

        n oh yea i forgot about tht masculinity book that came out about him. that shows he knows what hes doing and has a purpose.

        n yes he will be real playful n do a girlie dance but its real hard n mascaline when he does it. how he slowly THRUSTED on the ground at the adieu performance of “i love u again” or the THRUST from the Love Story 2nd performance. lol see steph its rubbing off on me too!

        Like

        • ROFL! hahahaha

          Stephe ^@@^

          Like

          • @ Stephe
            Oh lord you did not pull out the Dark&Lovely No-lye! Gah! Just when I thought I’d finally gotten over my hot comb nightmares.

            ROFL….the black hair experienc now THAT is an exercise in determination but thank goodness we’ve THRUST forward into the future with better products
            🙂 I couldn’t help it, it was just too tempting…

            Like

        • The Dark&Lovely No-Lye is sitting on my bathroom counter as I type this…..WOW!! I sometimes use this one to lay my “heritage” down in the gentlest way possible.

          I am Cracking The Hell Up right now!!! Well, I must THRUST FORTH now….to Boldly go where NO MAN has gone before……to No-Lye land!!

          I WHIP MY HAIR BACK AND FORTH, I WHIP MY HAIR BACK AND FORTH!!!!

          (BIG SMILES)

          Like

          • BiA said:
            “to Boldly go where NO MAN has gone before”
            ( except Prince)
            “to No-Lye land”

            Like

            • OMG. Scalp burning in the fires of hell… with like seven minutes still to go. Edges singed, your ear jacked up… DON’T MISS THAT AT ALL. Ugh! LMAO

              As Prince would whoop, Aaooooooow-wohhhhh!

              Stephe ^@@^

              Like

  31. each one is different and not have to live thinking about what people talk about what you have to live life! is one and we must be happy!

    Like

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