β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
You can NEVER have too much revisiting of Rain at the G20/Asia Song Festival last October. Well, let’s put it this way… if you ever do have too much, then guess what? You’re doing it w-r-o-n-g. π (images credit: μΈκ°λ€ @ cyworld / source site: The Cloud)
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
We don’t really need a translation… this was in China during Rain’s visit there last week, the report was mostly about his upcoming concert at Beijing’s Wukesong Arena on March 26, and everyone in that country is walking on air right now. But wowβthe Rain graphics in the report made for a NICE piece of eye candy.
So enjoy the view. π
110303 Rain (Bi) @ News. (source: Youku / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Rain at his CCTV “The BEST Rain 2011” interview in Beijing last week, as snapped by… Shin DongJun (June) of J.Tune Camp. (images: myjanggun @Mobypic)
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JiHoon waiting patiently for his cue… at his The BEST Rain 2011 press conference in Beijing. (images credit: μ΄μ λ―Ό @Cyworld)
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Ohhhh, this really had me grinning like a crazy person. I’m not sure if it was the absolute cuteness of JiHoon and the DJ doing back-and-forth pronunciation lessons, or if it was simply the silky tone of JiHoon’s voice unencumbered by any visuals at all. (Which means your senses are honed on it alone and you hear every single nuance. β₯)
*sigh*
110303 rain bi FM90.0倧ηηͺε». 3/3/11 Rain Bi FM90.0 Big surprise. (courtesy of jinzhi0 @YT /raincloudHK)
(English translation by rain bird @rain-eu.)
RAIN’s dialogue
0:45
Hi everyone. This is Rain.0:55
Ah, your pronunciation is excellent.1:02
Which words do you want to learn to speak most?1:14
Well..For example, “I missed you so much” (‘Bogosipeoseoyo’, spelled phonetically)1:25
Excellent !1:39
Yes, excellent!1:54
I really want to hear that I’m so cool.2:03
Thank you..2:17~3:03
As time passes, the environmental pollution is getting worse. I’ve been appointed to an honorary ambassador to work to help to avert an environmental disaster, included preventing desertification. These activities are intended to let the preventive measure of environmental pollution be given wider publicity.3:24~3:26
I do not study Chinese specifically, but the campaign song has especially unique lyrics, so I tried to make a lot of time to convey the meaning well. But some words were difficult to pronounce..4:00
I’m not sure if I can do that.4:19~4:29
Thanks to the concern all of my fans have shown, I’m doing well. I’d like to thank my Chinese fan club for welcoming me.4:52~5:07
One of my songs will be sung in Chinese. This one will be a dreamlike and fantasy concert. I think you’ll love it, and it’ll be a very exciting concert.5:32~5:50
I play a fight pilot in the movie.. It’ll probably be released sometime this year or next year. My new album will come out soon, and the campaign song in Chinese will also be released. So I hope to get a lot of support from you.6:11~6:26
I hope you are always healthy, and I always appreciate your support of me. Thank you for loving my dramas including Full House.. I ask for many of your interest in my movie and album. Thank you. I love you.
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Rain at a restaurant in Apgoojung-dong, 3/8/2011
Source: tell0805 @Twitter
Image source: rain-cloud / Additional credits as tagged
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
“Treasure” (ηζ), the promotional song Rain recorded (in Mandarin) that takes up the cause against the damage done by desertification, is now in fifth spot on the Baidu MP3 site out of China. You can listen to the song and see an English translation in our previous post HERE.
(Thanks to rain bird and Rain Europe for the tip.)
Congratulations, JiHoon!
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Please bear in mind that exactly what Rain will or will not do there (IF he or J.Tune end up confirming what Sepang CEO Datuk Razlan Razali has said)Β has not been made clear. So please stay tuned for any confirmations and details concerning this appearance. Thanks!
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The Daily Chili 3/7/2011Β β by Noorsila Abd Majid
Korean superstar Rain will headline Sepang F1 concert
Wonder no more. Korean superstar Rain will revv up the Petronas Malaysia F1 Grand Prix , scheduled to unfold from April 8 – 10. The hunka-licious R&B singer will take centrestage at the helipad in Sepang International Circuit (SIC) after the final race on April 10.
The good news was confirmed by the SIC chief executive officer, Datuk Razlan Razali via a text message to The Daily Chilli, The Star’s news portal on Monday night. More details will be announced at 2pm Tuesday, as Razlan launches the F1 carnival at the Bukit Bintang Entrance in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
Known for his high energy performance and nifty dance moves, Rain’s popularity spans across Asia and America. His biggest-selling album, It’s Raining has shipped more than 1 million copies in Asia alone.
Equally talented in acting, Rain has starred in dozens of hit Korean dramas like Full House and The Fugitive Plan B. He has also made his foray into Hollywood, starring as the lead actor in commercially successful films like Speed Racer and Ninja Assassin. [CORRECTION: He was a supporting character in Speed Racer and the lead actor in Ninja Assassin. β Stephe ^@@^]
In 2007, his arthouse sci-fi love story, I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK won the Alfred Bauer Award at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival.
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Awww…! Thanks for sharing, sisters! Bravo. Our previous posts on the Hawai’ian Cloud’s Hearts with Bi event last Sunday are HERE.
“When Rain advocates gather, happiness abounds! Smiles are everywhere! It would be wonderful indeed if all of us could be at one event celebrating together our magnificent Rain! Someday⦔
β Cloud sister Geri
Β» You can visit the previous Open Thread HERE. And of course, donβt forget that our Cloud USA Forum is a most excellent place for Rain love, fan communication, and self-expression.
By the way β have you left a message for JiHoon on The Cloud today?
(Remember, our Project page for newbies on how to register for and USE the Official Cloud Rain Fan Club site in S.Korea is HERE.)
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Β» For those fans who need them, our Cloud USA instructions on how to become an official member of the new 8th Cloud are HERE. The membership drive will last through March 20th.
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YOU KNOW YOU’RE A CLOUD WHEN: Your brother hums only the first four notes of a Rain tune, and you can immediately jump in with the rest of the song AND the choreography. (While we were working on a project together the other day, Jim absentmindedly hit the first four of “With You” from Cyborg, and much to his astonishment I named that tune and finished it up. He couldn’t believe it. LOL!)
You know your 72-year-old mama is a Cloud in the Closet when: After five minutes of driving, you can no longer stand the radio, reach for any Rain album, and declare, “ArghβI can’t take it! I want some Rain!” And she responds from the passenger seat, “I want some Rain too! Turn that other crap OFF!” And then looks sheepish.
What Cloud stories do y’all have out there for us this week? C’mon, I know you’ve been up to stuff. Spill it. π
β Stephe ^@@^
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Please enjoy various footage and images from the past year with Rain, all set to his recently-released China-Korea environmental song “Treasure.”
Rain [MV] Love Of Teasure μ μ¬λ!!. (credit and edit: Kongsao / Rainrunway29 @YT)
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And there’s more of “Treasure,” right here, an absolutely wonderful compilation of Rain’s various Nature Republic projects and a bit of his recent stint in Beijing. With subtitles!
Rain – True Love (Eng Sub + Pinyin). “Treasure.” (credit and edit: It’s Rainism World blogspot / courtesy of itsrainismworld @YT)
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Remember THIS piece of amazing goodness from ELLE China? Oh, be still my heart! (image source: Happy Feeling, Japan)
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Lovely screen caps of JiHoon as he was filming the very first Discovery Channel Hip Korea Seoul Vibes documentary, that chronicled his life. (images: yuko @rainstorm, Japan)
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The Fugitive: Plan B is given air time in soft cover Japanese magazine ιε½γγ¬γγγ©γγ³γ¬γ―γ·γ§γ³2011 (2011 Kankoku Terebidoramakorekushon), released 2/28, with Kim HyunJoong on the cover. (Looks like a dual cover?) Β (images: mimi2, Japan)
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Screen caps from Rain’s MBC Section TV interview clip. Soooo pretty. (captures: DC Rain Gallery)
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Yes, that’s our most humble JiHoon during MBC’s Section TV entertainment report on the 2nd Korea Seoul Art & Culture Awards, where he was honored with the 2011 SA&C award for World Star. He most certainly deserves the title, as he has made so many inroads and opened so many doors across the international arena for Koreans who may follow in his footsteps. JiHoon’s ambassadorships and philanthropy work across Asia, his sponsors and projects across Europe, his Green Globe awards, MTV award, and notable Hollywood roles in the U.S., and his film work and concerts across the world all speak volumes.
He has also dedicated much of his career to spreading himself to fans far and wide, which is why his international Rain fan base exists today. Β And it’s only going to grow. And grow.
Rain, are you ready for what comes next? π
Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com / http://www.cloudusa.org
[HQ][Eng Trans]110306. (source: DC / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
(English translation by rain bird @rain-eu.)
~0:17
It was Rain who was most loudly cheered by the crowd.
They really admired even his sexy back.
He did do something that feels worth waiting for.0:18~0:26
Rain who is now active in the international arena over Asia.Rain : I wonder how I dare to deserve this award. I’d like to thank you all for this wonderful award. Dare I say, I’ll continue to do it to the best of my ability as a singer and actor to do such a great work that would fit with the image of the name of the award. Thank you.
1:03~1:07
Rain : Just to be with them here, is too great an honor for me.1:09~1:18
Rain : The title of the movie has yet to be decided. The choice lies between ‘Living in the Sky’ or ‘Red Muffler’.
I play a fighter pilot in this movie.1:20~1:34
Q : Which actress do you work with in the movie?
Rain : It’s actress Shin Se Kyung.Q : How do you like her?
Rain : Good! How could anybody dislike such a beautiful actress?1:54~2:05
(Actor ‘Lee Beom Soo’s wife is an expectant mother)
Rain : Hope she’ll give birth to a daughter and no question asked.[The old clip] _Rain : Sons are utterly useless.
If I’m married and has a daughter, I want to drive her to preschool every morning.
That way, I would be a very happy and fulfilled father. I’d like to live in a houseful of daughters.2:06~2:14
That’s why he was only interested in the little girl, not the little boy, and he was carrying only the girl.
He proved himself to have weakness for daughters.2:17~2:24
Rain : As a Korean man, I’m planning to join the military late this year. I’ll be back after the successful military service.
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Thanks for the PERFECT subject title, sister Geri! I simply couldn’t resist using it. π
Β» Our previous announcement about the Hawai’ian Cloud’s Hearts with Bi shindig in Honolulu is HERE. The event took place this past February 27, last Sunday. We’re so glad they all had a great time, and we hope to join them next year. *fingers crossed*
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
The fine folks over at TopcombinesT, out of China, posted their English translation of a Retnet article that ties in with our earlier coverage on Rain and Korean-born Kim Eunsung (“Xiao Wu”/Tanas) of Chinese pop group Top Combine HERE, and HERE. We thought you would find it interesting.
Happy reading!
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Top Combine Int’l Fan Blog 3/7/2011 β
As his first stop of year 2011 Asia Tour, Rain expressed that this show is extremely important. When talking about the difficulties faced during rehearsal, he humorously said, βRecently I practice several hours with the dancers everyday, at the moment the entire dance team is completely dealing with injury; not being exaggerated, however all this hard work pays off necessarily for the show itself guarantee of quality, no exception for everyone.β Reporter learned from the concertβs director team, in order to maintain Rainβs consistent high level request, many equipments previously used on Rainβs concert in Seoul last year will be transported from Korea to Beijing by air. There will be many surprises dedicated to the fans. But the organizer still strictly keep secrecy about the surprises. Under the reporters repeatedly asked, Rain represents Jackie Chan as his most favorite actor from mainland, and had been looking forward to collaborate with him.
Rain has his own idol, without doubt, Rain is also the idol of many celebrities. After the press conference ended, the concert organizer QIYI.com arranged one of Rainβs celebrity fan β Top Combineβs member Xiao Wu ( *Eunsung ), to act as QIYIβs special host to have an exclusive interview with Rain.
Before meeting Rain, Xiao Wu has repeatedly said that he is a super fan of Rain, admitting that, “Is more nervous to interview his idol rather than having his ownself being interviewed.” However after the interview Rain said, “Meeting Xiao Wu [made him, Rain] quite happy,”Β both are Korean artists who expand to China, and they discussed topics, not only about the concert’s environmentally friendly issue, styles, but also chatted about lots of funny things that they experienced while living and working in China. Furthermore Rain revealed that he invites the mainland actress Sun Li, who guested previously in his MV, to watch his concert, also praising that she is clever and beautiful, however still not responding for the question of Sun Liβs being the mystery guest on his concert.
Some preview of the press conference…
Β» [Rain (Bi) News] 110305 QIYI_Exclusive interwiew with Rain_Preview
Also watch it on QIYI.com >>> CLICK HERE !!
**Source article in Chinese and translated by topcombinest / Credits: ent.retnet.cn (article), qiyi.com, scorpiolabibi (youtube), cloudusa.wordpress.com (vidβs link) / PLEASE CREDIT PROPERLY. Thanks!
β Cloud cover by: Terri, Managing Editor :-}
Hello again, Lovely Clouds.
Wow.Β I’m on a roll.Β Two posts in one night.Β What gives?
Below you’ll find some terrific footage of Rain at his Beijing press conference from QIYI.com, whose motto is apparently “Always Fun.Β Always Fine.” Β I think that’s rather appropriate, since the subject of this report is Rain himself, who I happen to think is also always fun and always fine, myself. Β Don’t you?
That cute little reporter wasn’t so bad himself, was he? Didn’t you just love that snippet of his Rainism cover? Β “I’m gonna be a bad boy…I gotta be a bad boy.” Β Ha ha.Β He was so enthusiastic about the whole experience that I couldn’t help but smile.
This is just a preview of the full interview, but I think you’ll like it anyway, because it includes some footage you might not have seen yet.
Please enjoy!
Terri :-}
[Vid Credit: scorpiolabibi on YouTube]
β Cloud cover by: Terri, Managing Editor :-}
Hey ho, Clouds.
Here are some nice, clear pics of Rain arriving in Beijing on the 1st of March.Β Aren’t they pretty?
Terri :-}
[Photos credited as tagged]
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
[*Edited to Add 3/6: A brief clip of this encounter is posted HERE. ^@@^]
Yes, we were wondering who those two cute young men were in that picture with Rain in Beijing last week. Weren’t you?
Turns out those “cuties” were Tanas (Kim Eun-sung) and Caesar (Li Mao) of Chinese pop group Top Combine (θ³δΈε΅ε). Actually, according to the Top Combine {Spotlight} international fan blog, Tanas was host and interviewer at the press conference concerning Rain’s upcoming concert tour stop at Wukesong Arena on March 26, and Rain-admirer Caesar tagged along.
The group’s official site is HERE. And the Top Combine Paradise English fan site is HERE.
Thanks to Top Combine {Spotlight} for posting this terrific information.
Thumbs up! π
Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com
(Images Credit: XiaoXiao and Caesarβs sina, as tagged / source site: topcombinest.wordpress.com)
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Rain photographed by Elle China back last summer. These particular images never get old. πΒ (credit: yuko @rainstorm, Japan)
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Textured fan art of vintage Rain, and my, doesn’t he look flier than fly? Loving the canvas feel of it… S-w-e-e-t! (image: yuko @rainstorm, Japan)
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CAN IT BE? This announcement on Mnet appears to be saying that RAINY DAY Season 3 will begin airing there in Japan on April 2, keeping the 15-minute format it adopted in Season 2, and that in addition to each first-run episode, two reruns will be offered. Hmm! Β» You can check out the Mnet Japan web page HERE. (image credit: RainAngel / source site: rain-cloud)
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Fresh scans from Rain’s March 2011 Esquire spread. (images: RainAngel / source site: rain-cloud)
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Rain showed up at the Sahng Ahm E&M Center today (Mar.5th)
Source #1: DC Inside
Source #2: DC Inside
English translation: rain bird @rain-eu.
CJ E&M Center in Sangam-dong images and Cold Stone Creamery logo: courtesy of Stephe @Cloud USA ^@@^
Rain showed up at Cold Stone, an ice cream shop, inside the Sahng Ahm E&M Center and had ice cream I made there !β₯
According to sources, Rain practiced reading the script of movie ‘Red Muffler’ at the center today, that is called Seoul’s hollywood.
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Ahh, yes! Remember Rain’s stint at the S-Fone Forever Concert in Viet Nam, back in 2006? Β» We posted something on it before, last year, but I couldn’t resist the clear crispness of this NTV2 Live video.
So have yourself some “It’s Raining,” and please, enjoy!
Rain’s “it’s raining” live in vietnam. (credit: NTV2 / courtesy of selena27 @YT)
β Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
This KN TV Happy Time entertainment news report out of Japan appears to be a show about celebrities who have confronted the challenges before them, either for entertainment or personal purposes, and the most memorable of those challenges from the past. Several faces, in addition to Rain’s, are familiar, such as TV host personality Kim JeDong and top comedians Yu JaeSeok, Kang HoDong, and Park MyungSu, all hyungs (big brothers) of JiHoon.
JiHoon is first shown briefly in the clip during the his Christmas Day challenge in 2003, when he vowed to get a certain amount of people into a spur-of-the-moment concert in one day, by word of mouth alone, in honor of his late mother. And then he is also shown on HoDong’s Knee-Slap Shaman show (Golden Fisheries) in late 2008 or early 2009, sharing one of the most personal accounts of his mother’s last days that we had ever seen. (It really had to be hard, doing that. “Shaman” was a comedy show, and yet there was dead silence during JiHoon’s story. β₯)
110220. KN TV Happy Time. (source: rainsnow / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
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A special clip by Cloud USA-er Kongsao, with some English subtitling to further help you with what Rain is saying.
[Eng Sub] Rain @ Talking about his 5,387 fans & Mother! (courtesy of Rainrunway29 @YT)
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And a Bonus, for those of you who haven’t seen it. I thought I had posted it on the media blog last year, but no. I had sent it to Terri in an email, however, after seeing Ninja Assassin and when Cloud USA was only an idea in our heads. I share that email and Rain’s 2003 Christmas challenge with you now in the hopes that it becomes as precious to you as it is to me.
*JiHoon’s message to us here is MUCH more important than the outcome, and I hope all of you realize that. Honor and courage come in going the hard route and failing, NOT in going the easy route and winning. *applause, applause* β₯
12/17/2009 β Hey, Terri… With Christmas coming up, I had to share this and how very much it means to me. Before I saw it, I had always wondered why Rain seemed to manage to be working every year on Christmas day. I mean, who does that, insists on working that day? But now I understand, what with his mom dying two days after Christmas. And he’ll probably continue doing just that until he has a wife and kids around him to share Christmas with and take away some of that pain. God, this has to be such a hard time of year for him. I can’t imagine. LoR Las Vegas will probably be a blessing to him.
Anyhoos… On Christmas morning 2003, the newly debuted, pre-superstar Rain was challenged by a television show to somehow gather 5000 people to attend a guerilla (totally unexpected) concert that no one knew about, in just eight hours, in dedication to his late mother. He upped the challenge himself to 6000 people, even though Korea being in the World Cup semi-finals had totally eclipsed his album.
The host informed him that if he didn’t meet the quota, the concert would be cancelled on the spot. And Rain answered that no matter how few people there were, even one, if they took the stage down, he would just stand on the ground there and sing for whoever had come.
And this is what happened…Β β S.
[ENG SUB] Rain Bi – 2003 Christmas Mission Part 1/3. English subtitles. (All videos courtesy of smileallround @YT)
[ENG SUB] Rain Bi – 2003 Christmas Mission Part 2/3.
[ENG SUB] Rain Bi – 2003 Christmas Mission Part 3/3.
β rained down by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Oh-oh-oh-oh-OH.Β β₯
If you don’t enjoy this, you might want to check your pulse or BP because you just might be dead. Or close. Just sayin’. π
Bi Rain Tribute (fmv) Touch Ya. Β (Credit and edit: Mar9133 @YT)
β ^@@^
Manila Bulletin 3/3/2011 β Jonathan M. Hicap, Correspondent
MANILA, Philippines β Leveraging on his star power, singer Rain has been appointed environment ambassador in China to promote the fight against desertification of lands.
The singer attended the ceremony in Beijing to formally accept his new role as environmental protector. Desertification is the conversion of land into desert through different means including deforestation and burning. During the press conference, Rain said he will conduct campaigns against desertification.
Rain will also hold a concert to raise awareness for the protection of the environment in Beijing on March 26.
Last year, Rain performed at the closing ceremony of the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
His appointment is in addition to several charitable and humanitarian projects that he supports.
The pop star recently received the World Star award at the 2nd Seoul Art and Culture Awards held in South Korea.
The singer is busy completing his commitments before he enlists in the Korean army in the latter half of the year.
He will start filming his new movie, βRed Mufflerβ, which centers on the story of Korean pilots. Rain will headline the movie together with actress Shin Se Kyung, He may also release an album before his enlistment.
Last year, Rain starred in the Korean action series βFugitive: Plan Bβ, which was filmed in Asia including the Philippines.
β rained down by Stephe: Managing Editor ^@@^
Lips.
Hair.
Bod.
Oh my heavens… it’s a J.Tune Rain Cafe picture perfect BONANZA.
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The seating plan from inside of Wukesong Arena for The BEST Rain 2011 Beijing concert. (image:Β Credit: fanclub @ cloudchina / εηζδΎοΌδΈζΌη₯¨ει / θ½θͺοΌt.sina.com.cn/1708872402/5KD1h9pyphG)
β rained down by: Stormy, Staff Writer ^.^
Stars come out and Play!
How much fun is it to get to know MBLAQ off stage? Lots!
This episode of Pops in Seoul shows us some fun sides to Seungho, Joonie and Thunder (aka Cheondoong). Awwww, it seems G.O had another schedule, and of course we all know Mir is still recovering from his back surgery, but Joonie takes center stage and well…. sometimes his mind is difficult to understand but nonetheless he brings us great laughs!Β Breathe, Joonie! Breathe!
Thunder is a Mermaid Prince? Okies, I guess I can see that, omo we all just need to breathe here ^.^
In this next part, Joonie continues to dominate, either by his own words or by the other members’, it doesn’t seem to matter, he’s always up to something! Why do they give a tongue twister to Seungho? We all know who likes to play the nonsense word game. Right? 3…2…1 Everyone!
Lee Joon! kekekeke ^.^
Time to reveal the MBLAQ inner family structure. Of course Seungho is appa, G.O. is umma? Well if he nags a lot… Mir is the delinquent son, Joonie is the uncle but Thunder names himself daughter!!! Too cute! Well he does resemble his sister Dara from 2NE1 so I guess that works.
Language time! Oh come on Joonie! He stumbles with Korean, I know his English is better than that, and Japanese? aishhhhh! Seungho rocks the Japanese challenge and Thunder is just plain funny, the cat lives in the garden? Soooo cute! kekeke
Their future plans are… working on the repackaged album, and getting ready for Japan.
The Stars came out to Play and showed us a fun and different side to MBLAQ!
Enjoy!
Stormy ^.^
(all videos of MBLAQ(μ λΈλ) [Pops Star Talk / Pops in Seoul] courtesy of arirangworld @YT)
β ^@@^
10 Magazine 3/3/2011 β by 10 Media/Anna Orzel
Music Review: Janelle MonΓ‘e, Dub Sonata and K-pop-MBLAQ
MBLAQ
BLAQ Style J.Tune Camp
If K-Pop had one recurring problem in 2010, it was the difficulty of translating the magic of singles into full-length albums that reflect their potency. But what other artists couldnβt accomplish, MBLAQ finally achieved with BLAQ Style, the groupβs first full-length album after a year of thriving singles. Produced by veteran pop star Rain, the album boasts a healthy regimen of dance-pop and electro, drawing from the mid-90s canon of free-style synths on tracks like βWish You Hadnβtβ and βDarling,β which avoid sounding like bleeding-heart tributes to angelic females. Those familiar sentiments are saved for singles βStayβ and βCry,β which offer tears by the weeping spoonful. While there is nothing unique about these more R&B-influenced tracks, their presence remains a balance, rather than a staple, keeping the variety of the tracks as fluid as the album cover. Well-rounded and ultimately enjoyable, BLAQ Style proves a remarkable tribute to both pop songs and the stars who produce them.
By: Anna Orzel
β rained down by: Stormy, Staff Writer ^.^
It’s always exciting when I see my echofon (thats a tweet relay plug-in) flash up the 29Rain sign!
It usually means Rain is up and about and around! Today that meant he was out looking for a friend’s restaurant for a little late lunch, or maybe early dinner? Either way, we all know how much he loves to eat!
Enjoy!
Stormy ^.^
(images credit: Stormy @Cloud USA)
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[Mar-04-2011]<Eng.trans> Rain’s post on Twitter_He is now in a restaurant in Apgujung-dong
29rain Ji hoon jung
ν μμΉκ° λ±λ‘μ΄ μλλΉ… γ
Oops ! Its location cant’ be checked on the service (Google navigation service)22 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
29rain Ji hoon jung
http://maps.google.com/?q=37.531296,127.039421 γ γ γ λ§μκ² λ€ λμ±μ λκ·Έμ§μλΉ~^^
Kekeke.. That sounds delicious. We are not far from my junior ‘Dong Wook’s restaurant now ~^^24 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
(Info)
Dong Wook : Singer Seven’s real name. He has recently branched out even to the point of operating a restaurant which serves steamed chicken.
http://twitter.com/#!/29rain
English translation and Info by rain bird.
β rained down by Stephe: Managing Editor ^@@^
Mentholatum MEN China is getting geared up to go live with their new spokesmodel, the Rainy One. We want our own life-sized cardboard cutout! (images from Mentholatum back-order show in Guangzhou, China: as tagged @t.sina.com.cn /raincloudHK / source site: rain-cloud)
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Rain in black & white. You can’t help but stare. (images: yuko @rainstorm, Japan)
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Ageless, in Beijing. Β (images: Jessie @OK Taecyon / raincloudHK)
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β rained down by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
What a nice, unexpected treat from On High… Rain getting ready to bust out “Hip Song.” We say getting ready to because 1) his hair is brown and laid against the back of his neck (when it’s black and ultra-short now), and 2) this choreography looks very much like that fresh stuff he hit us with in the white sweat suit the very first time we saw “Hip Song,” before all the subtle changes in it came about over the past year.
Love the Hammer pants and the Thug-A-Nomics attitude. LOL! And you can see the moves that made it to the comeback stage and the ones that didn’t. Cute! β₯
Rain practicing for ‘HipSong‘. Rainμ HipSong μ무 μ°μ΅. (credit:Β jtunecamp @YT)
Cloud USA 
Cloud USA goes on a second hunt for Rain⦠and ends up cheating on him with Jay Chou.
•March 3, 2011 • 19 Commentsβ rained down by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
It justβ¦ happened. Weβre deeply ashamed. Jim had to run into the heart of Atlanta to get some footage for his own projects, so he wasn’t there to keep us in line. *heads hanging* It was a one-night stand. A one-off. It only lasted for about two hours and itβll never happen again, we swear! Don’t revoke our Cloud cards! *looking shifty-eyed* Boy, was it gooooood. Holy Toledo.
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It begins. As you all may recall, the last time we hit the road for Rain, we spent the day about 45 minutes away from our Atlanta suburbs, around the Pleasant Hill Road area. This time we aimed west of that location, only about 30 minutes away from home, along a northward stretch of Buford Highway where the Korean-American community is prominent. Terri revved up the Cloudmobile, plugged her iPod in and jacked the volume up, and the three of usβme, her, and Rainβwere off.
Because of weekend construction that Saturday (February 12), there was an extraordinary amount of traffic snarling the highway up. But the weather was fabulous and we had Rain serenading us at the top of his talented lungs, so we couldnβt have cared less. We sang, we danced, we ignored the crazy stares of other motorists. (None of them said anything. They were probably too scared. We couldβve been escapees from the nearest psyche ward, for all they knew.) “Instead of Saying Goodbye” started us off.
And so on and so forth. Have Rain, will travel.
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First stop: HJ Video. We have seen a lot of Korean media in one place before (like your friendly neighborhood H-Mart), but this place had an almost overwhelming amount of movies, dramas, music, and fashion. Weβve no idea how they keep that huge of a supply so neat and tidy. It was a haven with the dΓ©cor of a fancy fashion store at the mall. The only problems, however, were that 1) every label was only in Hangeul, including the plain white ones, and 2) the clerks themselves seemed almost afraid to say a word to us. Which was sort of understandableβ¦ a black Georgia Peach and a white Southern Belle arenβt their typical shoppers, after all. And so, after a bit of forced conversation, we split. (But not before I got a shot of one of their front windows. Bingo!)
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Continue reading ‘Cloud USA goes on a second hunt for Rainβ¦ and ends up cheating on him with Jay Chou.’
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