Share this:
Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
Tags: Bi Rain favorite pics, Bi Rain model, If Rain Bi pics could talk, Jung Ji Hoon, rain bi
[quickie][fan made] Fugitive JiWoo/Soldier JiHoon/Rain action mix.
•October 18, 2011 • 7 CommentsI’m still grinning because of this video. GREAT job, Kongsao! ♥ 🙂 ^@@^ Rain ~ Awesome~MIX ~SOILDER ~ (Credit and edit: Kongsao / Rainsaraghaebi625 @YT)
[clips] Rain in recent news.
•October 18, 2011 • Leave a Comment— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
KBS World, Best Seoul.
[Rain (Bi)비 News][Chi Sub]110924 kbsworld_Rain ‘The Best Show’ concert in Seoul. (Credit: kbsworld / cap by scorpiola / scorpiolabi1 @YT)
KBS World, Gangnam Hanryu Festival.
[Rain (Bi)비 TV][Chi Sub]111009 kbsworld_Gangnam Hanryu Festival Rain Last of The Best Show. (Credit: kbsworld / cap by scorpiola / scorpiolabi1 @YT)
Flight: Close To The Sun press con.
[Rain (Bi) News]111017 Rain @ press Con. (courtesy of ratoka @YT)
MBC today. Rain’s enlistment.
[Rain (Bi) News]11-10-18 Rain enlisted to army. (Source: rainalu@Youku / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
[clips][Eng/Eng subs] Rain and Flight castmates promote their movie at the BIFF.
•October 18, 2011 • 4 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Arirang’s Showbiz Korea coverage of the Busan International Film Festival on October 6 and 7 included the Flight: Close To The Sun promotional conference. Why the heck does the video end so abruptly, though? I suppose, with all the very cool visuals they included from the film, I’ll forgive them. This time.
Red carpet scene at the Busan International Film Festival [Showbiz Korea]. (Video credit: arirangworld @YT)
°
And a little Bonus: Rain walks the APAN Star Road Red Carpet at the BIFF 2011 at minute marker 9:47. And Jang GeunSuk comes out and shuffle-dances on the thing at 9:16. ROFLMAO! Oh no you didn’t, dude! 😀
16th Busan International Film Festival / Day-2. (Video credit: BIFF / Busanfilmfestival @YT)
Influential Rain series 5: PURE Magazine brings on the Rain.
•October 18, 2011 • 4 Comments— Written by: Stephe Thornton, Managing Editor ^@@^
[Cloud USA 10/18/2011] We continue our series with something recent that is directly connected to our previous Influential Rain series 2 article and its messages of water conservation and soil preservation: Singapore’s national water authority, PUB, is featuring South Korean mega-entertainer Rain (real name, JiHoon Jung) on the cover of the October-December 2011 issue of PURE Magazine, and is speaking on his efforts towards water conservation in their country in a feature article.
This from the official PUB government site:
No Ordinary Rain
What does Korean superstar Rain, have in common with the Singapore Civil Defense Force? Read about how both are scoring big on water conservation in this issue of PURE. Discover where the wild things are within the mangrove forest and rivers in Pasir Ris Park, which are rich in biodiversity, and explore the family-friendly makeover of Singapore’s oldest reservoir, the well-loved MacRitchie Reservoir. There’s just so much for you to find out and to get up close with water.
Have a PURE good read.
» You can download this issue and other issues of PURE Magazine on the PUB website HERE.
For the BEST Rain 2011 Asia concert tour stop at Singapore Indoor Stadium (May 22) in Kallang, the green theme was all about urging the population to change their lifestyles to include water conservation and recycling. There were water conservation messages, special events, and fan participation opportunities initiated by Rain and concert promoter Faith & D, endorsed by Singapore national water agency PUB, and carried out by local media outlets. As an added touch on that theme, Rain made it rain. An actual rainstorm with real water occurred in mid-concert and lasted for two and one-half minutes. And afterwards, the 1,000 liters of water were collected and recycled for the purpose of plant irrigation.
At the BEST Singapore press conference at the Marina Bay Sands Resort, Rain was presented with a national water authority certificate by PUB’s official mascot for his efforts in promoting water conservation in that country.
It is because of things like this that Rain is considered incredibly influential by his fans and by people around the world. His campaigns across and outside of Asia and other charitable acts by him this year are why he deserves his spot in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People for 2011. It’s not every day that a celebrity’s fans donate an entire forest to help villagers thousands of miles away.
Last Tuesday, October 11, Rain reported to the Uijeongbu 306 Reserve Troop Battalion to begin his mandatory 21-month service in the Republic of Korea military, and this past Monday the 17th, he started his eight-week basic training at boot camp in Yeoncheon County. He only waved a temporary farewell to his family, friends, and fans, however… not goodbye. His entertainment career still awaits him.
His upcoming movie, Korean blockbuster Flight: Close To The Sun (비상 [飛上]: 태양가까이), the very first of its kind in that country and currently in post-production, is said to be hitting the tarmac in theaters in early 2012.
— Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com / www.cloudusa.org
(captures by Cloud USA)
[quickie][fan made] Oh, that smile.
•October 18, 2011 • 13 CommentsRain, set to the beautiful sound of Clay Aiken. Perfection! Thanks, JJ! 🙂 ^@@^ Bi, Rain – Your Smile 012- On My Way Here. Music: “On My Way Here” by Clay Aiken. (Credit and edit: JJ /tubetubehawaii @YT)
[article] ROK Army Primer: Possible training for Rain and new recruits?
•October 18, 2011 • 9 Comments— Written by: Stephe Thornton, Managing Editor ^@@^
(Motto image courtesy of http://www.army.mil.kr)
[Cloud USA 10/18/2011] Here we are, exactly one week from the day that South Korean singer, dancer, actor, honorary ambassador and mega-entertainer Rain (real name, JiHoon Jung) passed through the Uijeongbu 306 Reserve Troop Battalion gate and officially became a recruit in the Republic of Korea military, like many of his celebrity colleagues before him.
Tears and cheers of pride were released by his family, close friends, and fans there and in many countries, including the U.S., as he waved farewell on October 11 for 21 months. As we understand it, his military discharge date will be July 10, 2013.
Since then, JiHoon has been assigned to Unit KEY of the 6th Corps’ Division No. 5 for basic training, and relocated to his eight-week boot camp this past Friday in Yeoncheon-gun (Yeoncheon County), GyeongGi-do (GyeongGi Province). Incidentally, the State of Mexico, and the U.S. states of Virginia, Utah, and Florida are a few of GyeongGi’s sister provinces. The city of Incheon is located on the coast of GyeongGi, and capital city Seoul lies in its very heart.
Basic training officially began Monday the 17th. On or around December 12, after basic is done, JiHoon and his recruit-mates will be given their proper duty assignments and locations and will begin their military service in earnest.
This, from the official Republic of Korea Army website, is a schedule that tentatively outlines the training regimen of ROKA recruits. This general information is listed on a public page on their Korean site, which is why I am comfortable sharing it here, and may differ from camp to camp. The half-hour difference in the two time periods may be due to the season (summer or winter).
ROKA Training Period, Recruits
6:00 to 8:30 am Wake up, Roll Call, Breakfast
8:30 to 11:40 am Training
Lunch 11:40 to 13:00 (1:00 pm)
13:00 to 16:10 (4:10 pm) Education
16:10 to 20:00 (8 pm) Fitness, dinner, free time
20:00 to 21:50 (9:50 pm) Home Affairs education, creating discipline record (writing), roll call
22:00 to 6:00 (10 pm to 6 am) sleeping
***
6:30 to 9:00 am Wake up, Roll Call, Breakfast
9:00 to 12:10 Training
Lunch 12:10 to 13:20 (1:20 pm)
13:20 to 16:30 (4:30 pm) Training
16:30 to 20:00 (8 pm) Fitness, dinner, free time
20:00 to 21:50 (9:50 pm) Home Affairs education, creating discipline record (writing), roll call.
22:00 to 06:30 (10 pm to 6:30 am) sleeping
(Hogugy image courtesy of http://www.army.mil.kr)
Also mentioned were subjects of study such as military courtesy, gymnastics, Taekwondo, shooting, marching, guerrilla weaponry, chemical weaponry, first aid and physical fitness tests. It’s not clear if these additional subjects are covered in boot camp or if they come along for the recruits after basic is finished up. But either way, JiHoon/Rain’s Taekwondo studies from his early 20s, his leading role as a K-1 fighter in drama A Love To Kill, his training as a stunt man for his leading role in the Warner Bros. movie Ninja Assassin (2009), and his seven months training as a fighter pilot for his lead role in upcoming Korean blockbuster Flight: Close To The Sun (비상 [飛上]: 태양가까이) should serve him very well.
Alcohol, tobacco, telephones, and visitations are not allowed, of course. Giving up smoking seems to be strongly recommended.
On the ROKA English site, I “met” Hogugy, who is the main character in the ROK Army’s cast of emblems. Hogugy symbolizes the Korean peninsula, patriotism, and Korea’s sacred animal, the tiger. His gesture expresses how the ROKA is headed toward the future.
No one but the ROKA and the recruits themselves truly know their schedules and training. But we on the outside can have somewhat of an idea of what’s in store for them, send up prayers for their safety, and cheer them on.
— Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com / www.cloudusa.org
Source: www.army.mil.kr
Tip: Kongsao, himechandayo
[1 week in] 비 Yourself Open Thread for 10/18 – 10/25.
•October 18, 2011 • 10 Comments
» You can visit the previous Open Thread HERE. And of course, don’t forget that our Cloud USA Forum is a most excellent place for Rain love, fan communication, and self-expression.
By the way — have you left a message for JiHoon on The Cloud today?
» Our Project page for newbies on how to register for and USE the Official Cloud Rain Fan Club site in S.Korea is HERE.)
°
If you haven’t already, please join the Yellow Ribbon for Rain Brigade on your Facebook or Twitter, and help us support Rain during his mandatory military service! He needs to know how much his entire fan base throughout the world is backing him even when he isn’t tirelessly performing for us. He has given to us for ten years, listened to our requests and complaints, and always done his best to make us happy. Now it’s OUR turn to make HIM happy. Keep spreading the word!
°
The link to vote for Rain’s Trendy Magazine cover on the Yahoo! Taiwan Trendy Magazine cover poll is HERE. Vote your hearts out, y’all. Thanks!
The Man has begun boot camp in earnest this week, everyone, so keep those prayers and good vibes heading his way. (We all miss you terribly, JiHoon. A lot!)
This coming weekend, Cloud USA is going mobile for four days. We’re hitting the road in the Cloudmobile and heading north to the SMTown KPop concert at Madison Square Garden, in NYC! Will we find us some Rain along the way? Will we see some Rain fans along our route, slam on brakes, and do some hobnobbing? More on that later this week… 🙂
Rain is Eternal. Where clouds STAY gathered, rain will always come. It is inevitable.
— Stephe ^@@^
[images] Still more of Rain’s Last of the Best final concert.
•October 18, 2011 • 2 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Beautiful! Devastatingly so. (Images: Jennifer Studio, as tagged)
Rain check.
•October 18, 2011 • 10 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Images from Rain’s Live Charity concert in Japan, as shown in Innolife. See more of these shots in the GALLERY below. (Images: J.Tune / Source: Angelique, as tagged)
More Last of the Best rehearsal images to gawk at. Waaahhhh… 🙂 See more of these shots in the GALLERY below. (Images: as tagged / source: wawalalal @The Cloud Photo Board)
“Me and my boys, smellin’, feelin’… you know how we do IT.” Rain and hyungs before he stepped through the 306 Station gate and into military history. (Image: rainsha)
Your first mission, should you choose to accept it…
•October 17, 2011 • 8 Comments… is to make this doggone computer work properly. Good luck! 😛 ^@@^ (Images: demaclub.tistory.com/579 | Tip: ratoka)
Taking a deep breath…
Going for it…!
[구름 8기 (8th Cloud) notice] Where to leave your messages for JiHoon Jung.
•October 17, 2011 • 11 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
{ETA 11/20: Just an FYI… The Cloud Letter Room has now been moved up out of the fifth section and into the third section with the Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and English Talk boards.}
{*ETA 10/18: VERY IMPORTANT! When you do write your messages to JiHoon in the new Cloud Letter section, this is how it should be addressed in the subject line AND at the top for good measure, before you begin writing: 12중대 2소대 1번 정지훈 훈련병 (which literally translates to 12 Squadron 2nd Team No. 1 Jung Jihoon trainee soldier). This is because, for those letters that are printed out rather than read online, the officials will know exactly who to get it to. If they’re not sure, they may skip the message completely due to time constraints. Again, Rain’s proper designation at the present time is: 12중대 2소대 1번 정지훈 훈련병. Thanks.}
{*Edited to Add: For all Cloud USA community members:
The Cloud Letter section may only be accessible to official paid members, but we’re not completely certain of that. We are checking into the issue and seeing if we can find a way for everyone registered on Rain’s Cloud Fan Site to be able to get Internet messages to Rain. We want you all to have that privilege, so please hang tight while we see what can be done. Thanks for your patience. 🙂 }
°
As we understand it, Rain’s boot camp KEY has a blog-type site on portal Daum Cafe, where Clouds and loved ones can leave Internet messages for him and for other soldiers. However, because it is a military/government site, to use it and/or post requires a citizen ID number.
Because overseas fans cannot leave Internet messages for Rain there, The Cloud has set up a new “Cloud Letter” section on Rain’s official Cloud Fan Site for the same purpose—so that Cloud members outside of Korea can leave him messages to read during his free time. There will not be much free time while he’s in boot camp, but later on his schedule should ease up a little. And when he can read, we certainly want there to be plenty of support in both places.
A snail-mail address for where you can send handwritten letters should still be officially forthcoming after he gets out of boot.
Please use the new Cloud Letter section often and keep our soldier raised up with pride, support and encouragement. Remember—he needs to stay centered and to keep his mind on his training and the job ahead, so PLEASE don’t bring him down with negativity or distract him with bad vibes. He needs to know that his Clouds are all okay, that we’re still smiling and representing him well as the world watches. After all, if we don’t show strength and believe in him, how is anyone else supposed to?
The new Cloud Letter section is located HERE, in the Cloud fan site sidebar, underneath the private Cloud-Filled Room (구름 가득한 방).
— Stephe @cloudusa.org
[Rain update][fan account] Soldier check: JiHoon Jung wins hearts and earns respect.
•October 17, 2011 • 22 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Please see below, posted on The Cloud English Talk Board today by Cloud huhuhuhu concerning the latest information we now have on JiHoon. We thank her profusely for keeping us all up to speed! 🙂
As is his purpose here on earth, he has already won hearts, raised morale, given inspiration and effected change across the ROK military landscape and South Korea as a whole with his enlistment. (He was the most popular person at assembly… his troop mates in the 5th Division are absolutely stoked to have him with them… The Air Force was even trying to raise their age limit past 28 so as to be the lucky branch to have JiHoon Rain in their ranks as soldier and ambassador…) We didn’t think we could be any prouder of him, but we are!
We heartily support him and all of his troop mates there in the 5th Division. Fighting!
— Stephe @cloudusa.org
°
306 Boot Camp and No. 5 Division: The latest information as of 10.17.11
Written by: huhuhuhu @The Cloud / huhuhuhu @raincloudHK
Information and Images compiled by: huhuhuhu
I know many of us are heart broken and worried about our prince (myself included). But it is time we put our heavy hearts behind and give all our positive energy to him. Remember “The Secret”!
Thanks to DC and our resourceful Korean fans who have extracted a lot of information about the base where our prince will be serving his country in the next 21 months. Thanks to 卡机马门 (http://weibo.com/1802043831) who translated them into Chinese, which allows me to translate/summarize in English. Big thanks to all who have worked diligently to provide as much news and information as possible about our prince!
306 Boot Camp – the winner
(http://imnews.imbc.com/player/player_vod_ad1.asp)
According to the MBC news above, our prince was hotly sought by the three Forces. The Air Force even tried to request an exemption on the 28 years old age limit for its drafts. (I would have been very happy indeed if such exemption was granted, but alas…) This was hardly surprising to us. Who could be a better ambassador for the South Korean military forces than our prince?
Many people, who were not fans, were impressed by our prince. They watched the news and the photos and exclaimed that it was an epic. It was like the shooting of a movie. Our prince had once again won the hearts and respect of many people.
There were some interesting tidbits. According to Korean fans, the uniform our prince wore was the new style that came out early in the year. When it first appeared, the review was very bad by the Korean men. However after watching our prince, they changed their opinion and said it looked so cool that they even thought about going back to the army…
While I felt so proud of our prince, I also felt a sharp heart ache looking at his solemn expression, his V shape silhouette… But I will not dwell in negative feelings. I will treasure his transient, subtle smile.
No. 5 Division
On 14 October our prince was chosen as one the representatives to input a number for the random streaming process. A fan attended the assembly and here was her account:
Our prince arrived at the hall at about 8.30 am and sat in the front row on a small stool. His look and his pose were so cool and smart, his clothes and boots were very tidy and clean. But his face almost showed no expression throughout, whereas people surrounding him were all talking cheerfully.
He was clearly the most popular person in the assembly. Whenever he moved, whenever he stood up, the floor clapped their hands and cheered loudly. Our prince turned occasionally to talk to the young men around him, and when they spotted dirt on his beret, they cleaned it for him.
Our prince walked up to input the number when streaming started. He made a mistake the first time. The floor cheered for him to show it was OK. Again our prince showed no expression at all on his face. The floor clapped again when our prince made his salute.
Our prince seemed to have lost some weight.
According to the news, random computer streaming started in 1994. This was the first time such process was open to the media and the public, as through the World Star, the ministry wanted to demonstrate it was a fair and transparent game. The officer being interviewed stressed that it showed famous artist (like our prince) was treated just the same as all the other drafts. There was no privilege whatsoever.
And the result was our prince was assigned to the No. 5 Division.
(http://news.nate.com/view/20111015n04990)
The headline of this news: Rain being deployed to the Key Troop, “hard” and the most frontline troop.
The No. 5 Division was known to have very harsh conditions and this worried many of us. It seemed that the facilities were old, water supply was not sufficient. Winter temperature could be as low as –30C. As it was close to the border, heavy patrol was required and this was very demanding on the soldiers. No. 5 Division was also known as the wheelchair division because of the hardship, as a soldier may suffer various degrees of physical damage when he left.
It is disheartening reading all these, but I hope we will keep our faith in our prince. We believe in him, and we believe he will overcome all the hardships, just like he has always done. We believe he will bring positive influence to the place too. There were already stories that the soldiers there all looked forward to meeting him, and that hygiene conditions had improved voluntarily.
We could not send food or other supplies during the training period, but we could send letters. The address should be known very soon so let’s keep writing supportive messages to our prince.
One interesting thing is that our prince has gained many “male” fans/supporters. There were almost 1000 messages posted after the news about the streaming was broadcasted. Many claimed to have come from the No. 5 Division as well and they felt proud to have a world star joining them. They even suggested jokingly No. 5 Division should be named “Famous Brand Division”. Many boasted to their counterparts on the Internet that “the world star will be coming from No. 5 Division in future. Do you have a world star in your division?” Some shared their experience and gave positive advice to fans as well as to our prince.
So I am sure our prince will win the hearts of his peers just by being himself. Our best wishes to our prince and all those who have to undergo the hardship at No. 5 Division! Remember to stay positive – our prince will benefit from all the positive energy around him!
I will try to do more translations/summary as they are available.
To our prince – your clouds will be with you, always! Fighting!
BY: huhuhuhu
[구름 8기 (8th Cloud) notice] Feeling creative, or inspired by Rain?
•October 17, 2011 • 1 Comment
— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
All 8th Clouds, please go to the private Cloud-filled Room (구름 가득한 방 ) for a notice posted by The Cloud Executive Board today. They are looking for suggestions for a new header/banner for Rain’s official Cloud Fan Site.
This notice was posted in Korean, Japanese, and English. So if you have any ideas for them, go for it!
» LOOK FOR: Notice #3607: ★Main Top 이미지 공모 안내 . Thanks.
[article][no Rain] Awesome KPop moment of the day: What happens in Vegas…
•October 17, 2011 • 4 Comments— ^@@^
(Above Picture from left above, clockwise: TVXQ (Dong Bang Shin Ki), SHINee, Sistar, BEAST (Photos courtesy of Billboard Korea))
HanCinema 10/17/2011 —
K-pop stars premieres in Las Vegas on Thanksgiving weekend
Following the success of the Korean pop concert held in Paris in June, another ground-breaking K-pop concert is set to take place during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas, the city known as the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Korean pop stars gaining popularity throughout North America will perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the inaugural 2011 Billboard K-Pop Masters concert hosted by Billboard Korea. Billboard Korea recently announced its sizzling lineup for the first concert of its kind to showcase talent from this internationally growing genre of music. The concert will feature established artists as well as the young faces that the K-pop music scene has to offer including TVXQ, BEAST, SHINee, 4minute, Sistar, Brown Eyed Girls, and more.
The 2011 Billboard K-Pop Masters, presented by MGM Grand, will take place on November 25 and 26, in time for the Thanksgiving weekend rush at the reputed MGM Grand Garden Arena. It is the first time that Korean artists will perform on the stage of this renowned theater. The arena, which seats over 16,000 people, has hosted the 2011 Billboard Music Awards and also innumerable concerts featuring legendary names including Madonna and Elton John.
Richard Sturm, president of MGM Grand Entertainment and Sports, Inc., said, “MGM Resorts is proud to continue its ongoing partnership with Billboard as we present the 2011 Billboard K-Pop Masters in November at MGM Grand. This event will feature some of today’s brightest stars in the Korean music industry and we’re looking forward to showcasing their international talents, and the future of K-pop music, to the fans here in Las Vegas”.
The concert will be an occasion for a sampling of the full awards show slated for next year — the Billboard KPOP Masters Awards. The showcase also celebrates the long-awaited debut of the K-Pop Hot 100 Chart of Billboard Korea (www.billboard.co.kr) on August 25, and aims to further expand global awareness of K-pop.
“We are thrilled to work with our partners at Billboard Korea to gather some of the very best K-pop performers for this historic concert”, said Howard Appelbaum, president of brand development at Prometheus Global Media, the parent company of Billboard. “This concert will demonstrate the universal appeal of K-Pop, one of the world’s fast growing music genres”.
Ticket prices range between 75 and 300 US dollars. Online sales will start on November 7 at 10 a.m. (local time). This is concert not to be missed if you are drawn to K-pop and enjoy singing along with its catchy tunes, with your favorite Korean bands performing in front of you. For more information, please visit the official website at: http://www.kpopmasters.com (English).
By Hwang Dana
Korea.net Staff WriterSource : www.korea.net/news.do… ( English Korean )
[clip] Rain’s enlistment: A fresh clip.
•October 17, 2011 • 4 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
The latest report, from SBS Good Morning. Nothing new, really, but it was aired today (October 17) and the visuals include JiHoon’s final enlistment greeting to us from inside his car, on his way to the 306 Station.
111017. (Source: SBS / DC / courtesy of ratokanow @YT)
[clip] More of Rain and Flight: Close to the Sun castmates at the BIFF.
•October 17, 2011 • 1 Comment— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Back on October 7 in Busan, during the film festival and movie press conference.
RAIN 釜山国際映画祭 WIDE 日本語字幕 (RAIN Wide Busan International Film Festival Japanese subtitles). (Source: WIDE entertainment news / courtesy of momorumii @YT)
(captures by wawalalal)
Rain Ad campaign of the day: Pizza Hut, 2009.
•October 17, 2011 • 4 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
RAINY DAY Season 3, episode 29. He’s just like a box of chocolates.
•October 16, 2011 • 7 Comments— Written by: Stephe Thornton, Managing Editor ^@@^
Asia broadcast 10/15. Screen caps courtesy of 姫 (Hime).
Happily, we jump right back into the RAIN The Best Show Busan tour stop that we left last week.
On stage, Rain has transformed himself into our Psychedelic Funktastic tambourine-beating Seoul Child of the 70s, and after a Q & A session with the audience, launches into the very mellow “Busan Woman”. Hit those woooo-woooops, JiHoon! Only you can do it like that. Haha.
Heh, look at all the fresh women in the audience keeping time to the beat, joining him in his “Fresh Woman” callisthenics. Left, right, left-right! That is cute as all get-out. Just a sea of arms working it out! Great shot, RAINY DAY. 🙂
And then… “Ahhh, yeah! Two thousand eleven—this is Disco!” LOL! I never in my life thought I’d ever hear anything like that, 2011 and Disco in the same sentence. But leave it to Rain, by golly. Borrowing from Forrest Gump, he’s just like a box of chocolates… you already know what half of the pieces are before you take a bite, but the other half could have just about anything in them.
(That afro reminds me of my own, back in high school. I kept that sucker blown out. Gimme that hot lips T-shirt, Gori!)
After the sexy Retro-cool dance break, we’re off into “I’m Coming” commando-style, the lounge-ified “Love Story” that makes you want to jump into Rain’s steam shower with him (go ahead, freeze the video at minute marker 6:09 or 6:10 and just imagine seeing THAT face at a most opportune moment, I dare you, dear HEAVENS @_______@ pardon me while I wipe the sweat off my brow), an Adidas-suited “It’s Raining”, and an out of the vault “Chajayo”, where hopefully he didn’t put somebody’s eye out the way he was javelin-throwing those little bouquets. 🙂
And then along comes the part that will forever make me think about fan cams of Jang GeunSuk—the infamous encore shuffle dance. With that infamous shuffle dance music. LOL! And “September”, where the Crew was introduced and got to show out a bit. We’re delighted that RAINY DAY included the Men and the Women here, even a little bit, because they seldom got any cam time in all the fan cams we saw, and they deserved some.
(We’ll never get tired of back flips from KyuSang. Keep ’em coming, buddy. ♥)
(LOL at Rain looking like he’s some chick at the end of a Soul Train line.)
After jump-jumping and totally thugging out, Baby Boy heads back stage and takes his poor punished body to the mat, bless him. But look at it this way… if he wasn’t exhausted after each and every performance, he’d be highly dissatisfied and thinking he wasn’t doing enough. You know him. He wouldn’t have it any other way. He either gives us his all, or nothing.
See you next time, dear fans!
— Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com / www.cloudusa.org
(Video credit: happyyyraintorrent / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
Screen caps by 姫 (Hime).
[fan cams] Rain’s Last of the Best rehearsal: Can’t get enough of it.
•October 16, 2011 • 1 Comment— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Well hey, “My Way” is his personal autobiographical song. You know he was going to get the sound right for that even if it took all day.
(Videos credit: miyupy @YT)
111009 Rain LAST OF THE BEST – Rehearsal 7 (My way).
111009 Rain LAST OF THE BEST – Rehearsal 8 (Rainism).
[quickie][fan cam] Rain’s Last of the Best gets a “Seoul” Woman.
•October 16, 2011 • 6 CommentsRidiculously charming as usual, dog-gone-it! ♥ ^@@^ 111009 영동대로 한류페스티벌 서울여자 (10/9/11 Yeongdong Hallyu Festival Seoul Woman). Courtesy of raintic @YT)
[fan cams] More of Rain’s Last of the Best (including a nice teaseroo).
•October 16, 2011 • 3 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
And he had the audacity to say “I’m sorry.” LOL! What a tease! 🙂
(Videos credit: maruborarainbest @YT)
Rain 111009 Last of The Best Concert [full]_3_marubora☆
Something went wonky with the sound near the middle of this one (doesn’t match the picture), but heck, the visuals and his “In My Bed” WINK are to die for. So I’m posting it anyway. ^@@^
Rain 111009 Last of The Best Concert [full]_2_marubora☆
[clip] K-Star News: “Jung JiHoon, keep your chin up!” :)
•October 16, 2011 • 1 Comment— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
That’s what they said at the end of their report… Jung JiHoon, fighting! Please enjoy this Strictly for the Visuals entertainment report that focuses on the days leading up to Rain’s enlistment and beyond the 306 Station gate.
[Rain (Bi) TV]111014 Rain enlist to army (9:48 min). (Source: K Star News / credit: idakoo @youku / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
[quickie][clip] Look what we just shared on Facebook…
•October 16, 2011 • 2 CommentsWhen he “puts his hands up”, looks like he’s being arrested or something. LOL! LOL! ^@@^ Rain Bi dancing to Rainism in studio. (Source: IComeWithRain / Cloud Taiwan / courtesy of rainyyonme @YT)
[fan cam] Don’t Stop rehearsing, Rain! (Why am I having a Lord Sesshomaru moment?)
•October 16, 2011 • 4 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
I have always loved, loved, LOVED Rain’s “Don’t Stop” choreography, from the moment I first saw it during his Rain’s Coming World Tour up until right now.
The way his body slinks around those movements like liquid… movements that were made just for him… just floors me every time. And even here, during his Last of the Best concert rehearsal in Gangnam on October 9—it’s just a run-through but heavens, he moves like melted butter anyway. What the heck. @____@
Hold up. Wait a minute. What in the name of InuYasha is going on from minute marker 2:26? All of a sudden The Man and the Men are watching something that is out of camera range, and I hear m’lord’s incidental theme music begin playing (m’lord being the villanous Lord Sesshomaru, my Anime crush and favorite character from popular manga InuYasha). Whassup with that? Can anyone who was there clue us in?
GREAT fan cam!
— Stephe ^@@^
111009 Rain LAST OF THE BEST – Rehearsal 5 (Don’t stop). (Video credit: miyupy @YT)
[quickie][fan cams] Rain’s Last of the Best: Rehearsing In My Bed.
•October 16, 2011 • 1 CommentSounds like a great place to rehearse to me. 😉 ^@@^ 111009 Rain LAST OF THE BEST – Rehearsal 2 (In my bed). Video credit: miyupy @YT)
111009 Rain LAST OF THE BEST – Rehearsal 4 (I’m coming). Video credit: miyupy @YT.
111009 Rain LAST OF THE BEST – Rehearsal 6 (Love story). Video credit: miyupy @YT.
The cheer from his recruit-mates was a nice welcome.
•October 16, 2011 • 4 Comments(Entertainment Weekly capture by ratoka)
Rain check.
•October 16, 2011 • 2 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
From Rain’s Last of the Best concert rehearsal. (Images: pollyanna)
°
Captures from KBS 2 TV of Rain’s character Jung TaeHoon in the upcoming movie Flight: Close To The Sun. (Images source: KBS2 / Weibo / wawalalal @The Cloud Photo Board)
°
Dear Hana’s picture of her handsome brother that she posted recently. It appeared she she seemed quite pleased by how fabulous and smart he looked. 😀 ^________^ (Image credit: Hana / Cyworld / daisybong @Twitter / source: ratoka @The Cloud Photo Board)
[clips][captures] Soldier check: More from The Day.
•October 16, 2011 • 2 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Extensive OBS report on Rain’s career, enlistment, and future goals. AMAZING visuals. ^@@^ 111011. (Source: OBS / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
RAIN 111014 KBSニュース9. (Source: KBS / courtesy of momorumii @YT)
111014 Rain (3). (Source: MBC / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
There’s that little JiHoon smile! We see you! Gosh, he’s so handsome, I can’t stand it! 😀
(Captures courtesy of Rain Diary)
On Rain’s Enlistment: Terri’s Two Cents
•October 15, 2011 • 57 Comments
st, Well, at first, I posted these comments in response to a question on one of Stephe’s posts, but after reading them over again, I finally decided that I should bring them front and center, so that everyone would know how I really feel about Rain’s enlistment and his Clouds’ reaction to it.
Frankly, I wish everyone wouldn’t worry so damned much. That upsets me almost as much as Rain’s having to enlist in the first place.
I mean come on, ladies. Rain has GOT this. He is SO smart and SO physically fit already, that I absolutely KNOW he will do extremely well at his basic training. The only thing Rain has to do during army boot camp is absorb everything they teach him and do everything they say when they say to do it. We all know that Rain has such discipline and is so respectful to his elders and to authority already, right? So, I really don’t think he will have any problem at all doing what he needs to do to get through this experience.
The point of basic training is three-fold: to get soldiers into the best physical shape of their lives, to teach them the basics of being a soldier (military education: military history, military protocol, and military strategy/tactics), and to move the individual soldier from being an individual to being a team player. All of these things are taught to them so that they will be able to endure the rigors of battle and be able to SURVIVE. If a soldier doesn’t do what he/she is told to do IMMEDIATELY, as soon as they are told to do it, people die. So, it’s imperative that soldiers learn to obey the orders that they are given WITHOUT HESITATION.
During battle, there is a lot of noise and confusion, and the action around you is fast and furious (or so I’ve been told…). So, you have to be able to focus on that one task at hand that you must do RIGHT NOW, to make it through critical moments. That’s the main reason you will see drill sergeants screaming at soldiers and insulting them and making them do things as quickly as they can. They are not trying to break anyone’s spirit exactly. Instead, they are trying to get the soldier to the place (mentally, physically and spiritually) where they can act quickly and decisively, not just for their own survival, but also for the survival of the entire unit.
Have you ever been in a life-threatening situation yourself? An automobile accident? A mugging? A natural disaster? If so, what did you find was the most important thing you did at that time, to make sure you survived? I’ll bet it was that you had to think fast and without hesitation—to protect not just yourself, but anyone else that happened to be with you at the time—especially if that someone with you was weaker than you—like your child. No, war is not about playing nice and it’s not about YOU. It’s about the common good. And that’s what basic training tries to teach all of these raw recruits, some of whom are extremely soft and have never been in a tough position in their entire lives.
The good thing is Rain has already been through some really tough times already. He literally had to live on the streets. Think about how fun THAT was. He has starved. Has literally eaten BUGS. He has slept on a dirt floor. Frozen during the winter. And he has been through some really intensive physical training. So, I don’t think a little basic training is going to phase him AT ALL. After all, the Army will be providing him with food and a place to sleep—well for the most part. He won’t always be able to eat or sleep when he “wants” to because of the training, but it’s only 8 weeks…not 8 months, like his training for Ninja Assassin was. So, like I said: NO PROBLEM.
And let’s please not spend time worrying about what North Korea is going to do. North Korea is ALWAYS posturing and whining. So, for us to panic every single time Kim Jong-il or his pampered son gets bored and decides to make some noise is just plain dumb. We can’t do anything about it, so why bother worrying? No reason at all. Besides, our own U.S. Army troops are there in South Korea to help kick some ass if they have to and they will not hesitate–I guarantee you that. I mean, I’m sure the South Korean Army is tough as hell, but I’m absolutely positive that there ain’t nothing tougher than an American soldier either, right? Can I hear a HELL YEAH?
I just saw a tweet from Rain’s dad, and although I don’t know what he is saying yet, it appears that he mentions US—Rain’s fans. That bothers me a LOT. Seriously. Let’s PLEASE not make Rain (or his dad or Hana) worry about us anymore, okay? He has enough to worry about just trying to get through this himself. Instead, how about we all try to stay positive and supportive of him by CHEERING him on, rather than mope and whine about him not being able to communicate with us or worry about his health and welfare?
Are we bummed out that he had to leave us behind? SURE we are. Are we sad that he has to be put through this challenge? Of COURSE we are. Are we worried about his health and safety? Certainly. But what can we do about it? Absolutely nothing.
Is he happy about his situation? Most likely not, but as you can see from the first pictures of him we saw from the military, he certainly appears to be determined enough to try do well at whatever they ask him to do. So, PLEASE. Let’s try not add to his burden by being miserable ourselves and making him wonder if his Clouds will be okay. Instead, let’s all continue to achieve our own goals that we have set for ourselves for these next two years, so that when Rain is released from military service he will be pleasantly surprised to find his fan community thriving and ready to ROCK.
Just my two cents…whatever they’re worth.
Terri :-}
[Eng trans][clip] It suddenly Rained on Superstar K3: You’ve got to have confidence.
•October 15, 2011 • 4 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Wow, did these Superstar K contestants get a SHOCK the day of Rain’s free concert in Gangnam. Bless their hearts! 🙂
And let me just say that the guy in the bow tie and glasses was blowing out “Love Song.” He sounded good! In fact, none of the guys were bad at all. But sister girl… er, now you all know I’ll support another female in a minute, but that harmonizing just wasn’t doing it for me. (I’d like to hear her do a different song… she’s there, so she’s got to be good.) Good to see they got to meet Rain and had an experience of a lifetime, though. And the mini-ab-rolling was fun. What a precious memory!
111014. Rain on Superstar K3. (source: Mnet / courtesy of ratokanow @YT)
(English translation by rain bird @rain-eu.)
Rain who was about to give a main road concert before entering the army, became a mentor for would-be singers to instill confidence into them as part of cable channel Mnet’s “Super Star K3”, a success in which has opened careers to a number of young aspiring singers.
1:24~1:40
Somebody was coming soon and they were counting the hours. It was world star Rain who was involved in rehearsing before giving his best performance. The concert venue was packed with people all over the world.
1:41
They exchanged greetings, and his sudden entrance took everyone by surprise.
1:52~1:59
Rain : I’m a huge fan of you. Nice to meet you. I want to be a mentor for you to help develop your sense of confidence.
Let’s play… What’s that scenario?
•October 15, 2011 • 20 Comments— Harmless fun by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^ 😛
Recruit: “Ouch! What IS it with these dinky chairs, man?”
JiHoon: “Don’t know. But if your ass is as numb as a plank, you’re not thinking about food.” 😛
Random Rain Goodness.
•October 14, 2011 • 7 Comments— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Some of my favorite Vintage Rain wallpapers and calendars from way back when. And a SixToFiver from Summer 2009. We could certainly use them right about now.
Cloud USA 