[articles] Rain’s enlistment is everywhere. And BTW, age ain’t nothin’ but a number.
— Written by Stephe Thornton, Managing Editor ^@@^
As you can all see—and have seen, throughout the day—Rain’s enlistment is everywhere, from sea to shining sea and far, far beyond. This is a mere taste of the coverage, and I say that in all seriousness. When the World Media really wants to write about someone, they get down to it.
And when they don’t, well… *shrug*
I do want to address this “such an old age” business.
Twenty-nine is indeed “late” to be going in, but it’s hardly “old.” (If it is, I would’ve been put out to pasture long ago. Not even close to that happening, folks.) And pardon me, but have you seen the shape this man is in? He can do two- and three-hour concerts one right after the other, full out dancing and without lip-syncing for a year and a half straight, do hundreds of running and fighting scenes, back to back, take after take, all across Asia for an entire summer while doing a concert tour at the same time, spend months training like a real soldier with the military and spend HOURS on a movie set filming without breaks (even 20 hours in a cockpit!)… but oh my god, how’s he going to make it going into basic training so old… Are you serious?
Rain is a bona fide beast, physically and mentally.
Just standing next to him makes younger men quake in their boots and feel like puppy dogs at the pound. His body is a scientific specimen, even with his joints older from so much dancing. His last checkup shows he has the innards of a 24 year old. Yes, basic training is going to be harder for him than it would be if he were twenty, that’s a given. But he’s been through hard training for months on end and food deprivation before—think early JYPE, think Ninja Assassin, think MENtholatum China ad preparation this year, think parts of his childhood—so he will make it through this as if he is younger.
Just wait until you see that body and mental attitude when he finishes up in July 2013 and comes back to us. Have mercy. As the old saying goes, “Age ain’t nothin’ but a number, honey.” Pshaw.
— Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com / www.cloudusa.org
• CBS News (AP) 10/11: Rain joins South Korean army
• CNN 10/11: South Korean pop star Rain begins mandatory military service
• KPopFever 10/11: Rain enlists in the military with tears in his eyes
• NPR News Blog: The two-way 10/11 Rain Reports For Duty: South Korean Pop Star Starts Military Service
• Yahoo! News (AP) 10/11: Pop sensation Rain joins South Korean army
• Billboard (AP) 10/11: K-Pop Star Rain Joins South Korean Army
• El Universal 10/11: Entre lágrimas, estrella pop inicia servicio militar
• Reuters 10/11 Slide show: Hundreds see K-Pop star Rain start military service
• Washington Post World (AP) 10/11: Pop star Rain salutes fans as he enters South Korean army for 2 years of compulsory service
• The Star Online 10/11: Rain Starts Military Service
• PerezHilton.com 10/11: Korean Singing Sensation Rain Leaves Pop Career Behind To Enter The Army!
• Manila Bulletin 10/11: Rain enlists in Korean military
• Dramabeans 10/11: Rain reports for military service
• Seattle Times 10/11: Pop sensation Rain joins South Korean army
• Brandon Sun/The Canadian Press 10/11: Pop star Rain salutes fans as he enters South Korean army for 2 years of compulsory service
• Access Atlanta (AP) 10/11: Pop sensation Rain joins South Korean army
Cloud USA 
This may be cliche, but I just have to say it…
Men like Ji Hoon Jung don’t get older…they get BETTER.
Terri :-}
LikeLike
I do find it a shame that they choose to write about Rain now. It does annoy me because he has so much more to him that they could focus on. I mean come on they act like he is 90 years old. Yes some men have chose to serve at a younger age. However, I am sure Rain is not the only man or celebrity that has went in at a later age. I like and agree 100% with what Rain said in his CJ One interview:
“think timing is the most important thing in life. And this is the time for me to go serve. I’ll do it right.”
His statment saids it all!!! This is exactly how I feel. I think that everyone chooses when they want to serve. There is not a right or wrong time or age to go. As long as you serve according to the rules set by the Korean goverment. This is the time Rain felt was best for him to serve.
Also, I want to say even though it annoys me about them focusing on his age, like he is commiting a crime. I hope no one shoots me for saying this but I have looked at it on the positive side. He is getting alot of publicity around the world. And what they are saying about him could be way worse. So I think he is probably going to benefit some from all the publicity. At least I hope he will benefit.
LikeLike
An interesting take, Flower. And a good one. Thanks for thinking on the positive side. 🙂
Stephe ^@@^
LikeLike
Thanks Stephe for understanding my point of view. Can you clarify something for me. I have read different articals or just information about Rain and the Korean military in general. I have read different information stating how long he will be gone. Some have said 21, 22, or 23 months etc…. One person said he was to return July 2013.
Exactly how long is he suppose to be gone?
Is the age range for a Korean man to enlist from age 18-35 or is it 18-30? I have read different information.
LikeLike
Flower,
South Korea’s mandatory military service period is 21 months. Rain’s release date is set for July 10, 2013. That is the official word we have received.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I do believe that the age limit for enlisting in the South Korean army was recently extended to 35 years. So, it’s 18-35 now. It used to be 30. Rain fell under the old requirement of 30, which is why he had to enlist before his 30th birthday.
Terri :-}
LikeLike
Thanks Terri for clarifying everything for me.
LikeLike
All I’m going to say is these people annoy the heck out of me. And I agree with you all….
LikeLike
I agree how sad that all these media outlets are barely noticing now, the greatness that is Rain. So are they going to be all up on him when he finishes his time?
I think some people underestimate Rain because he is a celebrity. Yes there are some celebs especially here in America that honestly don’t deserve to be famous. Rain however isn’t your typical celebrity, he works extremely hard even when he doesn’t have to. I mean heck he didn’t even have any kind of rest before reporting for his enlistment. People need to just back the f*** off.
LikeLike
Amen, I agree 100%. I also agree about those are famous for being famous here, I could rattle off a WHOLE LIST of names…but, don’t want to offend.
See, this whole unresponsiveness of American media to Rain’s EXTREME talent is part of the reason I want him to come here so bad. He’s the whole package and people Across The Board (ethnicities/ages) LOVE HIM. Taking my selfish reasons out of the equation for a minute, American media STILL is So Arrogant to think that only the things that happen Here are relevant. This even after our standing in the world has been steadily on the decline, which I SO hate to say. We are a country in damned denial. Personally, I want Bi to come here and blow Hollywood on it’s breast-implanted @ss (no offense to anyone with implants), that way the American media will have NO CHOICE but to recognize/acknowledge his Great talents. It’s hard to ignore what’s right in front of your face. Oh they will still try, as a AA this is still all too real in our world, BUT Bi will be here “Bringing the Noise.”
Can you here me NOW?………………………
LikeLike
That’s right!! If Rain were your regular celebrity he would have taken AT LEAST a week off to do his personal stuff. But not our Rain, he worked his a@@ off up to the last minute taking only a few hours to visit his mom’s grave and be with his family and friends. That’s our Man, the kind of performer I will follow forever! No other celeb cut it for me now! If you wanna be in my fave list, bring it like Rain does! Loving his fans deeply, being strong minded, working hard with a smile in the face and being the sweetest, lovable, creative and vulnerable human being he is. I think my list of celebs is gonna be a really short one!
LikeLike
i can see a report coming out soon saying that hes in better shape and more agile than his younger conrades in basic training. I can picture him taking his shirt off and all the younger guys looking at him in awe and slightly jealous. lol thats our Rain for ya!
LikeLike
he is also on Time mag
LikeLike
Yeah I think Asia, Korea specifically, really trips on the whole youth and beauty thing. How old is old, when some people can live these days to well over 100, literally. Get the hell over it people, he’s going in as a 29 year old and not an 18 year old….concentrate on the fact that the whole damn world is FOCUSED on Your country right now Because of the efforts of this 29 year “old” man. Stupidity, really irks the hell out of me.
Also, I think the world’s press is reporting on Rain now because there is intrigue about this being a mandatory enlistment. It’s the being drafted part that’s got everybody interested unfortunately.
LikeLike
Amen to that sister!!! and i agree with everyone on this issue ..sings ..”age aint nothing but a number” they really need to get with program really quick and stop downing the man because he went in late.
LikeLike
@ Bia
AMEN to too sh*ttttttttttt* serious they need to get a better life reporter then come after rain over the age issue what the hell is that gotta do with him enter his age late grrrrrrrrrrrrr it totally pissese me off and STOP downing rain what he should and should;t do ????
it was fault to enter LATE the men is busy like hell he alway fly here and their model for many thing out Asia he give LIVE CONCERT more then any Asia & USA can do like all gang up the man foe stupid age reason and military thing serious somebody gotta GET a HOT RED CHLI SLAP here coz i hate the fact they always trying to pull rain down what ever come across they mind…just like mirsa all this time where the heck they at?? now are after rain en,list geseeeeeeeeeeeee
LikeLike
@Kongsao,
A Red Hot Chili Slap….HA!…..too funny girl! They better watch out for you lady.
LikeLike
@stephe: AMEN TO THAT!… age is nothing but a number.. Rain would show them all that ‘growing up’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘growing old’. He will make it through not just because he is physically strong, but also, because he is a very strong-willed person and he already won the greatest battle he could ever face, which is his self, that is why he never ever quits. His body might break down from all the hard work and pain that he went through, but I know that he’ll push through any adversaries and challenges because of his undying determination. 🙂 I’m going to miss this genuine man ❤ CLOUDS WILL ALWAYS BE HERE, WAITING! RAIN ❤
LikeLike
Rain is not old, he is a STRONG, HEALTHY, MALE in his PRIME and THE BEST LOOKING MAN IN ASIA AND POSSIBLY THE WORLD!!! I wanna see those army boys singing, dancing and running up and down a huge stage for two hours plus like Rain does. They are gonna drop to the floor like flies drunk with Raid in fifteen minutes tops! kekekeke
LikeLike
Lord, It makes me mad to no end that NOW that he’s in MS is when the media take notice about him!! >.< GRRRRRR!! Now CNN, Reuters, Billboard and frigging Perez Hilton talk about him!! Seriously? Where the hell were these people before? I know, publicity is good for him but is a bit TOO LATE! Well, I left comments on CNN and Perez Hilton explaining about our support no matter what, his upcoming movie and the possibility of working with Richard Gere. Of course I didn't talk about my feelings like I did here but I am still soo pissed!
LikeLike
I agree with that! NOW you all come out of the woodwork? NOW (and whenever he’s accused of something he DIDN’T DO, yeah then the vultures really circle). Meh.
Stephe ^@@^
LikeLike
This is exactly what I mean… basic military training for Rain is a piece of cake… just like what I’ve been saying..he can just consider it another new choreography. As far as I can see, Rain would be undergoing obstacle courses which is exactly nothing new to him, having gone through rigorous training for six months on his film NA. Besides that, having dance rehearsals everyday to prepare for his concerts is like running miles and miles a day. So, there you go… with that body, comparable to a man infused with Vit E daily for physical rejuvenation, his age is nothing but 2 and 9, just that, numbers.
LikeLike
WELL SAID girl!!!! I hate it that the whole Asia is so hung up on the age issue. yeah to most of them, 29 is considered Old in the society let along being a pop star going to army. Rain is no usual person, what he’s been through was way more than what he’ll get in the army- so I’m not worried at all. I do hope this service will find him some kind of mental relaxation as he’ll be away from unnecessary stress. Awaits for his return as the REAL “come back”–they need to stop abusing this phrase, will be beyond amazing.
thank you.
a true fan–as Perez Hilton calls us, “groupies”
LikeLike
This is written on point! One of my favorite articles by far! I am 36 years old and will be living in Japan by June 2013…I truly believe he is a part of my generation. And I am a military wife so I appreciate the hard work he is about to go through! And let me tell you, when he comes back with that military sex appeal and it’s real…he will sky rocket!!
LikeLike