Cloud USA

— Written by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^

When I first watched Rain’s Banjun Reverse Dramas back in early 2010—by SBS in 2005, “Romance Solver”, “Pick Pocket”, and “For Her(Sake)”—I was amazed by them. To me, you could actually see him transitioning and moving towards what would be “BokGu”, “IlSoon”, “Taejo”, and “Raizo”. He was pushing his range and throwing huge hints that yes, he could expand it beyond the sweet, cutesy romantic jerk/hero that he’d become well known for. What made me laugh hysterically was how, every time one of his characters was about to do something major, they would start playing a Rain song. It was almost like he had superhero theme music, like Richard Roundtree and Shaft. Haha!

Other K-celebs starred in Banjun dramas as well, and SBS televised them with a studio audience (thus the fan reactions every time Rain had a “drama moment”).

There are » a few more videos out there, for his stint on Banjun. Most of them have sound problems, though. The “Romance Solver” ones in particular, on Dailymotion, have the sound from “For Her”, which is a darned shame because”Solver” is so cute and the ending is wonderful. So I’m bringing you these. Please enjoy.

WARNING: There be SPOILERS right after the videos.

The reason for that is there are Japanese subs and Spanish subs, but no English subtitles. How in the world will you understand the gist of anything if I don’t at least give you a broad view of the plot? So if you don’t want to know ahead of time what’s going to happen, watch first and read afterwards! And have a pile of tissues handy! ㅜ_ㅜ (huhuhuhuuuuuuuuu!)

Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com / CloudUSA.org

“Pick Pocket”, final part. With Han JiHye.

(Video courtesy of fran0620yy @YT)

(brief summary by Stephe @CloudUSA)

Rain’s character “MeonWoo”, a professional thief in training, is wanted very badly by the police for crimes committed, along with his two closest friends in the entire world. The three have been together for a long, long time (though not blood-related) and have always taken care of each other. The only tiny kink in MeonWoo’s game is that he loves his “little sister” romantically and from afar, and whereas Little Sis adores her oppa MeonWoo to distraction, her heart truly lies with hyung. *sigh* When hyung makes a selfless sacrifice to save his beloved little brother MeonWoo, the act also teaches MeonWoo what sacrifice to save a loved one truly is.

As the police close in and try to shake MeonWoo’s confidence (they don’t believe hyung is really dead), MeonWoo concentrates on his duty—to be sure Little Sis is taken care of and happy. With hyung gone, the two grow closer and walk down the aisle… but when hyung comes back to them, MeonWoo knows what he must do! He insists on protecting his hyung and refuses to keep his little sis from the man she truly loves. To love them means to keep them safe and insure their happiness. And so… he does just that and makes the ultimate sacrifice a la Thelma and Louise. The gravestone at the end marks Gang MeonWoo’s final resting place. ^@@^

“For Her (Sake)”. With Han JiHye.

(Videos courtesy of itsrainismblogTV @YT)

(brief summary by Stephe @CloudUSA)

Rain’s character”Han Junho” is absolutely the best detective on the police force. Just call him super cop! And he’s closing in on a nasty crime lord that he’s been chasing for a long time. The problem is that a little street thief comes into his life at the same time, and against his will he is suddenly saddled with her. There is something about her that draws him (lord knows he doesn’t need the distraction), but he keeps hacking away at her past until he discovers a bombshell—”HyeWon” is the little sister by blood that he lost back when they were children. Street-smart HyeWon is also drawn to him and tries to respond to what she mistakes as romantic advances, and is confused when he rebuffs her (because he’s her real brother!).

During the plot climax, after Junho is drawn into a deadly trap by Mr. Crime Lord and all his team members killed, we find that HyeWon had been led astray by Mr. Crime Lord and has been working with him all along. And Mr. Crime Lord, with his wicked sense of humor, knows of their relationship and coolly orders HyeWon to pull the trigger on Junho. But her love for her “ajusshi” Junho is too strong by then, and she turns the gun on the crime lord even as she is taken out herself by S.W.A.T.  As she dies in his arms, a distraught Junho tells his little sister that he’s finally found her again. In the aftermath, he forever treasures the bear that he bought her and the tape she left him. ^@@^

~ by Cloud USA on February 17, 2012.

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain Dramas, Bi Rain on television, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
Tags: actor Rain, bi rain blast from the past, Bi Rain Dramas, bi rain on tv, Jung Ji Hoon, rain bi