[article] Rain gets preview of military life in new film.
— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Some of you may recall that actor Kim SungSoo played Rain’s (“YoungJae”) rival in Full House, “MinHyuk”. Hunk du jour MinHyuk was so charismatic and enamored with Han JiEun that he almost got her. Ha! 🙂
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Korea Times 10/9/2011 — by Lee Hyo-won / Image courtesy of Korea Times
Rain gets preview of military life in new film
BUSAN — Rain will be entering the military to complete his mandatory two-year service for Korean men this week, but the mega pop star says he has already had an intense preview of army life through his upcoming air force movie.
“I experienced seven months of life in the barracks while shooting the movie,” said the 29-year-old Friday about “Soar Into the Sun.” “It was painful not being able to eat whenever I wanted.”
The press junket for the film, which is slated for theater release in 2012, marked one of his last public appearances. In “Soar,” Rain, or Jung Ji-hoon as he prefers to be called for acting projects, plays a free-spirited Air Force pilot who, after pulling off a dangerous stunt during an air show, gets demoted to the combat flying team.
There he meets the unit’s ace pilot (Yoo Joon-sang), to whom he loses for the first time. He matures through forming new rivalry relations, friendships and romantic ties and is put to the ultimate test when the team ventures into enemy territory.
The filming process entailed intense training that only the most elite minority undergo. The g-force test, which involves spinning in a machine at high velocity, proved to be especially difficult, say the actors.
“I almost fainted but regained consciousness almost miraculously,” said Rain. Yoo on the other hand passed out twice before finally passing the test on his third shot. “I was like the guinea pig for the movie; because I was the youngest among those that were set to do flying scenes I always had to go first.”
“Soar” is the first local project to feature a Boeing F-15K. It is also the first time an Asian film is portraying the Air Force.
“The movie will offer fans aerial sequences that have never been seen before in Korean cinema,” said director Kim Dong-hoon. He added that the film outsourced to the Hollywood team that worked on blockbusters such as “Inception” and “The Dark Knight” for the flying scenes.
For Rain, the film marks a special homecoming after working on Hollywood projects “Speed Racer” and “Ninja Assassin.”
Special homecoming project
“After shooting movies in the United States I really missed speaking Korean lines again,” he said. “But I was first and foremost drawn to the script and was amazed how all the actors that I thought would be perfect for the main roles ended up taking part in the film.”
In addition to Rain and Yoo, other cast members include starlet Shin Se-kyung, who recently made her big screen debut in “Hindsight”; actress Lee Ha-na, who makes a comeback after a long hiatus; and popular TV drama personality Kim Sung-soo. “We all became very, very good friends during the filming. We had a great team,” said Lee. Her co-stars revealed how talented a singer she is and Lee admitted that she is working on an album to be released next year.
Shin, who appears as a mechanic, said she felt more comfortable playing her down-to-earth role, wearing minimal make-up and casual clothes. Yoo, on the other hand, said he had to work out very hard to create a muscular build for his part. It marks a break away from his usual guy-next-door roles, most notably in dramas a la Hong Sang-soo. The actor is set to appear with the seminal French actress Isabelle Huppert in Hong’s next film.
“We had a lot of fun on the set but it was painful because everyone kept reminding me of how I was due for military service. I am happy though that I can leave with happy memories,” said Rain.
The singer-actor will begin his stint as an active-duty solder at the Uijeongbu 306 Reserve Battalion on Tuesday.
jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr
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Cloud USA 
@ Mari,
Unfortunately, guys Will Be guys and somewhere along the way some little smart ass will talk some “ish” to Bi and Bi being the man that we know he IS will bristle. However, I do think a cooler head will prevail and he will ULTIMATELY resist the Very Real urge to pop that boy upside his head. Also, he could very well get into a little scruff, but the senior officers will stop that with a quickness (Hopefully….maybe they themselves could be some evil @sses too, you never know). Either way, I think Bi will handle all that is thrown at him, because he has no choice…..it’s in his blood to be successful at all he attempts.
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How can anyone make fun of Rain being 29 years old and serving in the military. Thats not too old besides Rain is a big asset to his country, he has a thriving career and decided that now is a good stopping time. Rain doesnt have to worry about the younger soldiers because Rain is in better physical health than these younger service men. Rain dont worry about your age like my mom always says, better late than never. Stay focused. Kerry
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Rain, babe, please please take care of yourself!! I know there will be moments were you are going to be tempted to be competitive but please do what you have to do in the safest way possible. That’s what worries me the most about the MS, that men being men, like to be competitive and Rain, being a famous actor, be challenge by other crazy young boys. I hope Rain keep his head cool and go with the program. That his fellow batallion members treat him with respect…that’s what I am hoping cuz I’m getting this vibe of him being too old and people making fun of it. Sighhh hope to God I am wrong!
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i understand what you mean and that is something to worry about and your praying that no one trys to pick a fight with him because they might get jealous due to fact that he is a star, so i will pray and keep the faith that he will ok and keep a strong head on his shoulders.
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i am with on this too it so TRUE tempted to be competitive but please do what you have to do in the safest way possible. That’s what worries me the most about the MS, that men being men, like to be competitive and Rain, being a famous actor, be challenge by other crazy young boys. i have hear my cousin and yet see some movies like this not to mention rain is type person love to win and challenge his work to succeed and done but who are also never give anything he do to make them happy i understand that of rain being humble but this MS is nothing out this world …FREE………!!
i just hope rain can handle many
guy around and what he have and suppose to do not granted what they push him on i hate guy treat rain unfair and try make some push thing that became wrong. and i just hope they are trying to make rain give him a hard time it is going to tried during the training but rain can do it i know him but for other guy and who around him just hope to safe rain body are like like normally person so i hope aware around them and just do his job only i just hope rain found someone partner who can also took care him and keep rain company while he away thinking of us as well . yup rain please our love no matter what happen please keep a strong head on his shoulders. and just show u best on your own effort
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OMG!! what did u just said???????
i mean to say that i just hope THAT THEY ARE NOT
trying to make rain give him a hard time it is going to tried during the training. ggrrrrrrrrr!!1
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Kongsao dear we know what you meant, its ok (((hugs)))) 🙂
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I am so sad that he leaving but I’m proud that he is doing this and i pray that he makes it back safe and sound. Ji Hoon if you are reading this please stay strong, healthy and bless dear, also keep that smile on your face and dont ever change…Saranghae!!…AJA AJA FIGHTING! 😀
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