[article] Rain to endorse China’s Mentholatum For Men cosmetics line.

•January 19, 2011 • 9 Comments

Yes, without skipping a beat, Rain has a new endorser backing him.  Smart move, Mentholatum China—Rain’s face, skin, and image are amazing additions to any skincare company’s portfolio. There’s a lot to be said for classic beauty versus natural beauty (which Rain possesses in spades).

He’s JUST signed the contract, so the Mentholatum For Men website hasn’t been updated with any of Rain’s images as of yet. But if you’d like to explore the place anyway, check out some products and TV commercials, etc., you can go HERE, and HERE, and HERE, and HERE.

Congratulations, JiHoon!  (Hopefully you’ve given him a thank you, J.Tune. :/)

— Stephe ^@@^

HelloKPop 1/19/2011 — TerriKR, Correspondent

Rain Signs Contract With China’s Cosmetic Brand Mentholatum

J.Tune Entertainment has announced that on January 18, 2011, Rain (Jung Ji-Hoon) signed a $1.5 million USD (1,672,000,000 KRW) contract with China’s cosmetics brand Mentholatum. His contract stipulates that Rain will appear in advertisements for the brand’s Mentholatum for Man cleansers and moisturizers, which will be sold in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. What is impressive about this deal is that the contract fee Rain will be receiving will account for almost 17% of J.Tune’s recent total sales.

Rain, a mega-icon in the Korean music industry, is also a highly popular endorser of commercial products. In 2010 alone, Rain appeared in 21 television commercials for a variety of advertisers. Rain is currently working on a full-length album set to drop in April 2011 and is about to begin filming Red Scarf (Red Muffler), a remake of the Korean film by the same name.

Source: MT News via Naver (translation by rain bird, Rain Europe) and The Dong-A Ilbo

Photo: Rain for Nature Republic

(post screen caps: Stephe @CloudUSA)

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon, Rain Topics
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Gone fishin’.

•January 18, 2011 • 10 Comments

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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[fan made] Bring the beat back.

•January 18, 2011 • 3 Comments

Enjoy this nicely mixed Rain dance compilation, made of footage from his Bad Guy, It’s Raining, I Do, Sad Tango, and Pantech China phone Shouji projects.  Very cool.

— Stephe ^@@^

Bi [Rain] Dance Mixtape. (courtesy of dwai90 @YT)

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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[Cloud USA announcements] Bi Yourself Open Thread for 1/18-1/24.

•January 18, 2011 • 20 Comments

(And all the fans with severe Rain Hair Fetish collectively shout, “AMEN!!!”  I do believe this is when he helped open Lotte Star Avenue in June 2009.)

» 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?

(Remember, our Project page for newbies on how to access the Official Cloud Rain Fan Club in S.Korea is HERE.)

» » » [SPOILERS!] The most recent FUGITIVE: PLAN B OPEN THREAD (#3) is HERE! Just CLICK.

°

Please NOTE: The Korean Cloud‘s 8th Cloud membership drive has not yet commenced. As soon as it does, however, we’ll let you know here. (They are still having server problems. It’s proving to be tough trying to find someone who can fix it properly… and come on, we’ve all been there before with our own computers, haven’t we? As soon as the problem is behind them, the 8th membership drive will begin. They thank you for your patience.)

Rain is out of the public eye right now—and has been ever since his ADIEU concerts on New Year’s Eve, in fact—but that’s not a bad thing.  Not a bad thing at all.  He needs rest, and some time in several places abroad for stuff.  We’ll see him again soon.  In the meantime, do continue to send him your love, well-wishes, and mental support.  He needs that, from all of us.

And now on to the open conversation!

— Stephe ^@@^

Posted in Cloud USA, Rain Topics, usa cloud
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Revisiting: The beginning of Rain’s farewell to his 2010 comeback trail.

•January 18, 2011 • 4 Comments

Ah, be still my heart! ♥

Emotionally, this was a hard week (May 24-30). In a small way, we were glad for it because Rain’s May schedule had worn us the hell out, but in a BIG way, we’d gotten used to having new “Love Song” and “Hip Song” stages for two straight months and it was devastating to have to give them up and let Rain go. But he had to move on—Fugitive filming and the Busan National Sports Festival awaited. He also had to hightail it over to the States for the MTV Movie Awards. AND hightail it over to Japan, for ZEPP. So it just couldn’t be helped… it was goodbye to the Back To The Basic comeback trail that he’d begun at the beginning of April. (His Music Bank farewell would air on Friday the 28th, and his Music Core farewell, with that sexy heartbeat dance flow in it HERE, would air on Saturday the 29th.)

Do enjoy this, Rain’s very first farewell show for that week, on M!Countdown May 27th. (I believe 2PM was saying goodbye too… look up in the video’s left-hand corner, where it says ADIEU Bi & 2PM…) There was some discussion at the time about whether or not it was a tear that slipped from Rain’s eye at the end of his performance or just perspiration. I leaned towards the tear theory—it had to have been very emotional for him to say goodbye to his music chart show fans, perhaps for good, especially while celebrating his 8-year career debut… and it didn’t look to me that he’d even broken a sweat. His face was as dry as bone except for that one wet trail. Just sayin’.

— Stephe ^@@^

10-5-27 MC _Stage_Love Song+Hip Song.wmv.  (credit: Mnet / courtesy of popponao25 @YT)

And here’s a gallery for all the newer fans who weren’t in the Rain World Nation back at this time.  (Okay, yes, it’s for me too, because he’s wearing my favorite black pants.)

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon, Rain Topics
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[clip] Revisiting: Our favorite halmoni in the world.

•January 17, 2011 • 11 Comments

Back on April 19 of 2010, we were absolutely delighted with this darling entertainment news report shared by cloud Scorpiola on the coolest Korean grandma on earth. Every time halmoni laughs, we giggle ourselves silly. She is so precious. This will always be a favorite. For those who haven’t seen it yet… please enjoy!

» Our entire 4/19 post, “ZEPP fan meet, LoR fan made, & the coolest halmoni on earth” is HERE.

— Stephe ^@@^

On SBS Good Morning, around the first of April 2010, a 79-year-old Rain fan showed her absolute love for our Ji-Hoon.  She has been supporting him since his debut in 2002, and I’m not ashamed to say I wish this delightful woman were MY grandma (halmoni)!  If I can ever find her name, she’ll have her own page here.  (And this reporter was the perfect guy to interview her.  What a ham! Hahaha!)

(courtesy of scorpiolabibi @YT.  Please DO NOT take and upload this video to any other YouTube channel… thanks!)

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Rain Topics
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Video Bonanza: Some of Stephe’s favorite things.

•January 17, 2011 • 7 Comments

The other night, I had time to sit and enjoy my personal favorite Rain things page on the media blog.  Of course, before I was through, there was stuff I was burning to repost and dish about with you all.  (Okay, yeah, I’d repost the WHOLE PAGE if that wouldn’t make me look like a sure-fire candidate for the nearest funny farm.  I admit it.)

And so, while The Man is off in gaaaaaay Pareeeeeeeeee taking care of business (and other things), let us submerge ourselves in the warm, soothing waters of a favorite JiHoon video bonanza.  Shall we?

— Stephe ^@@^

To You, from the 2010 Rain Loves ZEPP Tour of Japan, July.  One of the most precious performances ever.  Singing in Korean, speaking in Japanese.  (courtesy of ratoka)

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THIS performance snatches “Bad Guy” right out of the KPop category and dumps it squarely into R&B territory.  KPop has never sounded like that.  Trust.  From 2002, Rain versus Rain… and standing in the rain before “Nan.”

비 vs. 비 Dance Battle, The 2002 KMAs.  (courtesy of ryancolour @YT)

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HOT stuff, from various vintage moments in Rain’s career: DOHC, Calvin Klein, Cosmo, VONIN, various shows and concerts, and NAN ohhhhh NAN. O_O.  (Fan made, courtesy of ranmaru0625)

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From April 30th, as he begins to rehearse his Love Song staging on Music Bank.  His Red Bling is blinging HARD.  So pretty! He’d scared the absolute CRAP out of us by collapsing backstage at M!Countdown the week before this, and he was still so sick with flu here. 😦    (credit: Daum / courtesy of ratoka @YT)

°

Hip Song in Love Song attire, on Open Concert.

Rain: “My next song is ‘Hip Song’ which best represents my feature. Everyone please stand up.  Let’s have an exciting time!”  (brief translation by rain bird @rain-eu.)

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From October 2004, “11 Days” from Rain’s 3rd album showcase.  (What a voice! That husky tone sounds like he’s been drinking straight whiskey for a week.)  Courtesy of miuseNaBi.

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon, Rain Topics
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[article] MBLAQ’s Cry and Stay reach record high view counts on YouTube.

•January 17, 2011 • 6 Comments

— ^@@^

HelloKPop 1/18/2011 — TerriKR, Correspondent

According to J.Tune Camp, MBLAQ has become a real powerhouse on YouTube.

Cry and Stay, the two title tracks from MBLAQ’s first full album, BLAQ Style, have reached record high view counts on J.Tune Camp’s YouTube Channel. Cry was viewed over 500,000 times within a week after its release. Stay has been viewed over 100,000 times [Author’s note: I just checked J.Tune Camp’s YouTube Channel, and the view-counts-to-date are Cry: 538,859 and Stay: 445,381. So, as far as the count for Stay goes, something may have been lost in translation.]

K-Pop industry professionals keep a close eye on the view counts of their YouTube channels, because YouTube is often the only way foreign fans are able to enjoy their favorite K-Pop idols’ work. A representative of J.Tune Camp told Nate News,

“Foreign fans have shown an interest since before the album was released. Other videos released through our YouTube channel have also received record-breaking view counts.”

MBLAQ debuted in October 2009 with their debut single album Just BLAQ, which quickly topped various on- and off-line music charts in South Korea. BLAQ Style, their first full-length album, was released on January 10, 2011.

By: TerriKR

Sources: Nate News (translated by mocha@AbsoluteMBLAQ, via MBLAQCHINA

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, mblaq, Rain Topics
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Team Cloud: Stash time.

•January 17, 2011 • 6 Comments

[*ETA: With the exception of the Recollections CD (which is hers), DN says that the rest of this stash is for her fellow Cloud USA community members.  » Please go HERE, to the Forum, for more information on how to get yourself some of it.  She makes a trip to Seoul every month for a couple of days to pick up merchandise, so give her a shout over there.  Thanks. ^@@^]

Let us all gaze upon the combined Rain/MBLAQ/ADIEU 2010 stash that community member DN (a 운 산 elementary school teacher working in Osan, South Korea, where the open market is in Gyeonngi-do province) has amassed. Makes you go, “Woaaaah…!”

I tell you what… if I were a ball cap wearer, I’d be vying for that RAIN LOVES ZEPP hat with the gorgeous red embroidery. That thing is sweet.  But I’d much rather someone really use it rather than just stare at it like I would. LOL

Thanks for sharing your haul with us, DN.  May it continue to grow and grow.

— Stephe ^@@^

(image credit: DNogitsune)

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Rain stuff, Rain Topics
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Lips.

•January 16, 2011 • 10 Comments

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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[ETA Eng trans/Tweets] Word on the street: What’s this? Is The Man headed to Paris?

•January 16, 2011 • 12 Comments

That’s what a traveler at Incheon Airport said when he tweeted this image that he snapped today, the 16th… that Rain (with his back to us) was flying out to Paris.  And that’s what a little birdie that we trust said, too.  Hmm.

BUT as of this posting, we don’t see confirmation of this from anywhere in JiHoon’s community. So take it with a grain of salt until there is.  Thanks.

— Stephe ^@@^

(image credit: chobonet @yfrog / source: rain-cloud)

(English translations by rain bird @rain-eu.)

여긴 인천국제공항 ㅋ 파리행 비행기를 타려고 대기중에 비(정지훈)을 보았다 ㅎ 같음 비행기를 탈 예정! 사진은 부끄러워서 뒷모습만.. 빨간 니트의 사나이! ㅋ http://yfrog.com/hsxdzdkj

This place is Incheon International Airport.ㅋ (ㅋ: giggle)

I saw Rain (Jung Ji Hoon) while I was waiting before flying to Paris.ㅎ (ㅎ: haha)

I would be on the same plane with him !

I was too shy to face him, so I took a picture of only his back…

It is Rain who is wearing a red knit in the picture ! ㅋ

≈

비느는 지금 파리가나봐~

트윗보니 비느 인천공항에 있다고 하네~~파리행 비행기 탄다고~~사진에 광민횽아도 보이는거 같은데… 같이 가나보다~암튼 잘 갔다 오세요~~ http://gall.dcinside.com/list.php?id=rain&no=289900&page=1&bbs=

I guess Rain will be flying to Paris.~

This picture showing that Rain is waiting in Incheon International Airport lounge before flying to Paris, has been on Twitter.~~

Probably Rain will go with his friend ‘Kim Kowang Min’~ (** ‘Kim Kowang Min’ is sitting across from Rain.)

Anyway, have a safe flight~~

http://yfrog.com/hsxdzdkj

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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[Cloud USA announcement] Hold on to your hats!

•January 16, 2011 • 40 Comments

Well, Cloud USA community members, hold on to your hats.  (Or better yet, sit down. This one is a real doozy.) It’s safe to say that Rain liked your box of Christmas love, because when Terri went to pick up our Cloud USA mail at our shipping center Saturday afternoon… this was waiting for her.

An autographed Back To The Basic CD from The Man.

You can scream now. I’ll wait until you’re done before I continue. *insert Double Jeopardy music here* *waiting* *waiting* Done? Okay, cool! 🙂

Actually, we knew it was coming.  Our overseas contacts had clued us in (thanks so much, wonderful friends!).  But we didn’t want to open our big mouths until it got here, just to, you know… make sure it got here.  Because we would have felt like big doofuses if it had gotten lost in the mail or something.

But it made it, and we are happy. *putting it on the shelf with all of our other Rain goodies…for now…* Congrats to you all on a task well done.  For being so kind as to provide JiHoon with a bit of cheer from this side of the world, after he’d had such a terribly trying year.  He has the best fans in the world, from all four corners of it.

Eternally,

Stephe ^@@^ and Terri :-}

Posted in Cloud USA, Rain Topics, usa cloud, USA Cloud Projects
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Blast from the past #49: Rain makes playing with the audience an art form.

•January 15, 2011 • 3 Comments

Enjoy this video clip (fan cam?) of a portion of his 2005 Friends Concert performance.

I rest my case.

— Stephe ^@@^

2005 Friends Concert.  Bad Guy, It’s Raining, and I Do.  (courtesy of b4rain @YT / Bambina)

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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Cloud sing-a-long time: The Three Bears.

•January 15, 2011 • 10 Comments

That’s right.  If you’re a Cloud, Rain cloud, or Full House fan, this song is a staple the same way you always have bread, milk, rice, and eggs in your kitchen.  So just buck up and accept it, learn it, love it.  (And don’t forget the movements!  Very important!)

In late 2009, I drove Terri and Jim to drink, for a spell.  Because I sang this thing all day and just couldn’t shut up.  That was a very odd time in our lives.

— Stephe ^@@^ 😛

곰세마리 gom family song.  (courtesy of chloe1024 @YT)

Kom Sae Mari

Kom-sae-mari-ga han ji-bae iss-eo (A bear family of three lives in a house)

a-pa-gom, eo-ma-gom, a-gi-gom (Papa bear, mama bear, baby bear)

a-pa-gom-eun dung-dung-hae (Papa bear is faaaaaaat)

eo-ma-gom-eun nal-shi-nae (Mama bear is slender)

a-gi-gom-eun neo-mu gi-yeo-wa (Baby bear is too cute)

eu-seuk eu-seuk chal-han-da! (They all do well!)

°

Aaaand a Bonus.  Do you know WHY it’s a bonus?  Because not only does it showcase how the Three Bears song figured in Rain and HyeGyo’s lives like a million times (no wonder JiHoon hopes he never hears the song again!)… and not only does it show outtakes, particularly the one where Rain starts to sing an unsavory version about three guys living in a house LOL… it also shows my favorite version, when Han JiEun made YoungJae sing the Four Bears song, with the grandmother bear (halmoni-gom) who was really scary added in.  Hahahahah!  (I shouldn’t get so much excitement out of that, but I do.  What can I say.)

Oh yeah, and YoungJae’s grandma gets caught singing it like it was Korean trot music or something.  ROFLMAO!  My god.  This is a terrific video.

“Full House” 3 bears song.  (courtesy of songhyegyonet @YT)

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon, Rain Topics
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RAINY DAY Season 2, episode 49.

•January 15, 2011 • 12 Comments

Asia broadcast 1/15.  Caking alert!  CAKING ALERT!  (And Baby Boy’s cold is in full effect, poor thing.)

OH MY HEAVENS. We start with “Love Song”… in Japanese. *gasp* ♥ Do you all realize just how difficult it has to be to NOT get so caught up in the moment and the choreography that you lapse back into your native language in front of thousands of fans? Not to mention remembering the Japanese lyrics to begin with? JiHoon, we don’t call you The Man for nothing, honey.

And then came what is undoubtedly the most adorable performance of the entire ZEPP show… “To You.”  ♥  But it is the victim of post-production editing and lies on the cutting room floor as we speak. We don’t get to see any of it.  Stephe is a Sad Bunny. 😦

Next up to the plate: the part of the show dedicated to Rain’s journey from debut year to Biggest Badass Star—and how he did it “My Way”—on the JumboTron. And…  Put your hands up, c’mon! Let’s bust “Instead of Saying Goodbye” out on the party train!  Here come the balloons and the Crew… and tight friend, former Koyote rapper, and 2005 Korean Grammy Artist of the Year  BbaekGa, who just takes over the dang song, to JiHoon’s delight.  ROFL!

Nega Naui Gyeochil Tteona Dareun Saramegero Gandamyeon… (Gamyeon Gamyeon Niga Tteonandamyeon!)

This is just made of awesome. This has turned Stephe’s frown completely upside down. 😀

Yo. Let’s dance. BbaekGa throws down, which pretty much brings Rain and me to our knees. You know, there was a time when Rain thought that he would never see his friend move again, much less dance.  There was a time when he fought to come to terms with possibly going to BbaekGa’s funeral and having to bury him.  I truly didn’t know if BbaekGa would make it.  And here, a mere five months almost to the day that BbaekGa went under the knife with that HUGE tumor in his head, the man is turning flips and rapping with Rain on a ZEPP stage.  My God.  I had to stop here for a moment, have a little cry, and swallow the lump in my throat.

This “Instead of Saying Goodbye” staging has got to be one of the best things I’ve seen all year, y’all. I just… don’t know what else to say. T_T ♥

Time to cheer up, because here comes the cake.  Haha.  Hahahaha!

Oh, it’s a full-out party, complete with official Rain Fan Club birthday cake, a traditional birthday song, and everyone in ZEPP Fukuoka Hall bouncing.  Of course, JiHoon is styling and profiling all over the place.  LMAO! What a clown. ♥ *wiggle, cough, wiggle, cough*  *okay cut the music* ROFL

A quick thanks, quick pictures, let’s pose, okay got it— Hey! Who threw the first punch?  Doesn’t seem to matter because all of sudden it’s On Like Donkey Kong and Rain ends up holding the worst end of the stick, gang-caked.  The unrecognizable remains of said cake get a nice send-off, passed along front-row fans. BbaekGa: Yeah, let me get some nice shots of this fool with a pastry on his head with my brand new Nikon D7000… *pause for product placement*

Did I think the caking would be so bad that it would turn the stage floor slick as an ice skating rink?  Nope!

Was Rain’s birthday caking well worth the wait?  Yes!

This was a 4-heart episode. fans.  Unheard of.

— Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com ^@@^

(courtesy of ratoka @YT)

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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[Updated info] Get The Fugitive: Plan B EOR set. It’s available at the KBSWORLDi E-Store!

•January 15, 2011 • 6 Comments

{*ETA 8/4/2011: KBSWORLDi is now mVibo (only the name has been changed, not the underlying corporation. It doesn’t appear that you can order by episode anymore, but the full Fugitive DVD set is still available there, for the same low price.

Just click the updated order link HERE: » The Fugitive: Plan B DVD set on EOR. ^@@^}

°

Yes, that’s right, all.  If you live in the U.S. or Canada (OR own a DVD player that will play Region 1 disks) and don’t care to wait for The Fugitive: Plan B to be released in the usual attractive retail DVD packaging with all the extras, you can order the series (or individual episodes) from KBS America via the KBSWORLDi E-store right now.

What is EOR?

EOR (Episode On Request) is a premiere service exclusively provided by KBS America for you to purchase your preferable episode selectively.  In other words, you can actually buy the Fugitive episodes of your choice, individually, at $5.00 each, or buy the whole 20-episode set (which usually goes for $100.) at the discounted price of $79.99 and have it shipped to your home.

There is no pretty packaging, DVD extras, or frills.  BUT they are the actual retail DVDs that KBS America would make available to stores, they are of very high quality (broadcast worthy), and have good English subtitles.  Instead of buying them in a store, you’re getting them directly from the source.

A while back, Terri was able to order SangDoo, A Love To Kill, and Full House from KBS America.  SangDoo, which is on their DVD list, came in retail packaging, while ALTK and Full House, on their EOR list, came in the Big Orange Box.  » You can get more information and see her experience drama-hunting HERE.  And who cares about packaging anyway, when you’re getting high quality, collection-worthy Jung JiHoon and other drama kings and queens of your dreams?

Cloud USA community member jelyba shared the other day that she had just received her Fugitive: Plan B EOR set from KBSWORLDi in the mail.  How exciting!  We hope she’ll also let us all know if she is satisfied with the quality of the product, though we suspect she is. 🙂

» You can order your preferred episodes or the entire drama HERE.  As we understand it, anyone should be able to order and receive the disks, but as they are designated Region 1 (U.S./Canada), you might not be able to play them.  (There are special DVD players on the market now that do play DVDs from multiple regions.  You may want to look into that.)

Fugitive on EOR!  What a great idea.

— Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com ^@@^

P.S.: Oh dear, KBSWORLDi… looks like you’ve shafted poor Henney!

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Bi Rain Runaway/Fugitive/DoMangJa, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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[fan made] Every time I take a sip… it’s you.

•January 15, 2011 • 7 Comments

What’s a day in the Rain Nation without a cool Rain slide show?  Huh? Here you go, mates.  Set to Monica’s “A Dozen Roses (You Remind Me).”

It’s worth the click to slide over and watch it on YouTube.  Trust.

— Stephe ^@@^

Bi Rain Slideshow. (Sources: asianfanatics.com / biwithrain.multiply.com / courtesy of jstasimplegrl @YT)

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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[clip] Revisiting 2009: “Raizo, yeah. He’s very sexy. How about him?” :)

•January 15, 2011 • 13 Comments

Ah yes! I so enjoyed this late 2009 Ninja Assassin premiere interview from when Rain was in Canada doing his thing. Love the interviewer! She was not only polite, but very aware that conversing in English made him nervous, and took care to help the interview along and put Rain at ease rather than take advantage (or so it seemed to me). AND she was a blast. He was laughing in spite of himself.

I LOVE Rain here.  As hard as it had to have been, he not only kept it together, but managed to throw a bit of charm and JiHoon personality into the mix as well.  Even when the wheels of his mind were turning furiously and he was pulling that English out of thin air, he was just cute and funny as all get-out.  Watching this… I was so proud. ♥

He always does his best, no matter what.  Always. Bless him.

Do enjoy this, fans.  Nicely done, JiHoon.

— Stephe ^@@^  *feeling all warm and toasty*

RAIN BI in CANADA.  (courtesy of CHENCHITAN @YT)

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon, Rain Topics
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Rain about town #9: Indonesia.

•January 15, 2011 • 16 Comments

Clinic Clear for Men ads in Indonesia, in 2008 (one of the many product endorsements Rain is known for). And check that out—not only is the man larger than life… he goes on and on and on.

I wouldn’t mind driving down a road like that. How about you? O_O

— Stephe ^@@^

(images courtesy of Mira Roestandi @Facebook)

°

And from our Commercial Spots Page: (no, that isn’t Rain doing the voice-over.  Just the “My name is Rain.” Heheh. It most certainly is.)

Cf Rain Bi clinic clear shampoo english version.  (courtesy of TheHattercrazy @YT)

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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[clip] MBLAQ on KBS World global TV…

•January 15, 2011 • 6 Comments

…in this really nice Hot Clip.  ♥

That’s right.  Give these Boys some respect.

— Stephe ^@@^

[K-Pops Hot Clip] Cry – MBLAQ.  (credit: kbsworld @YT)

Posted in Cloud USA, mblaq, Rain Topics
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[fan made/fan cam] I’m a Soul man.

•January 13, 2011 • 12 Comments

Maybe the name of this event should have been the SOUL Music Festival. Ha.

Enjoy this fan made compilation/condensing of Rain at the summer 2005 Seoul Music Festival.  He’s just showing out.  Oozing charm.  Feeling his Swagger.

— Stephe ^@@^

Bi/Rain – Seoul Music Festival 23.07.05.  (credit: yoni / courtesy of KutyBerry @YT)

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Aaaaand:  Because you all know I have a REAL WEAKNESS for “No No No.”  You know.

Rain ..I miss you ! ( No No No).  (courtesy of lany68 @YT)

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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MBLAQ comes back: Watch the Boys stand in the Rain.

•January 13, 2011 • 17 Comments

And just listen to THOSE CHANTS.  Go, A+s!  That’s how you do it!

I loved this staging, folks.  Good job, Boys.  Although the sound crew did get on my nerves by not always having the mics up at the right times… (Best to hurry and watch this before Mnet swoops down like a vulture and picks it off the Internet.  You know how they are.  Frankly I’m surprised this is still up.)

— Stephe ^@@^

[HD 1080p]Mblaq – Cry + Stay.  Mnet MCountdown 1/13/2010.  (courtesy of kwaihung92321 @YT)

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, mblaq
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[article] Rain helps MBLAQ with dance moves.

•January 13, 2011 • 4 Comments

10asia 1/13/2010 — Lucia Hong, Correspondent

Korean agency J.Tune Entertainment has posted a video of Asian superstar Rain instructing boy band MBLAQ with their dance moves.

In the clip on their official YouTube channel, Rain is seen watching over the boys perform the dance moves for their new song “Stay” as well as guiding them….

» You can read this article in its entirety on the 10asia news site HERE.

— ^@@^

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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Rain check.

•January 13, 2011 • 3 Comments

Screen caps from Rain’s backstage interview during LoR Osaka last year, 1/23/2010, as televised yesterday during an OBS Unique entertainment news anniversary show. — ^@@^  (images source site: rain-cloud)

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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New on the Block.

•January 13, 2011 • 2 Comments

*MOVED:

Our ARCHIVES drop-down menu has been moved from near the bottom of our media blog sidebar all the way UP to near the top, to give everyone easier access to the different months of blog posts that are available for reading.  It’s now right between Rain’s short-haired B2TB Glam picture and our Blog Search box.

*ADDED:

Two new affiliate buttons in our media blog sidebar for YesAsia, where you can order Rain merchandise and support our site, and for YesStyle, where you can order fashion and also support our site.  They are right above the button link to our Cloud USA Store, where Rain and MBLAQ merchandise can also be purchased.  So there you go.  You can choose where you shop!  A’ight? 🙂

Thanks, everyone.  Until next time…!

— Stephe ^@@^

Posted in Cloud USA, usa cloud
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Tweets abound.

•January 13, 2011 • 10 Comments

He doesn’t know how to change his Twitter over.  Awww.  Poor baby.  (You can tell I’m so buying that, right?  Yeah.  *rolling eyes* LOL) 🙂

**And by the way, it’s “sings the blues.”  Plural.  The Blues is a genre of music begun by the African-American community in the Deep South.  You don’t sing one “blue.”  Just trying to help out with all the English-translated articles out there about these particular tweets.

Don’t sweat it, JiHoon.  Your 29th in International years is coming up (on his birthday this year, 6/25, he’ll be 29 to the rest of the world) so you’re still good if you let it ride.

— Stephe ^@@^

(source: 29rain @twitter, 1/13 / image source site: rain-cloud)

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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[ETA Eng trans/clips] Revisiting: Rain interviews at LoR Osaka.

•January 12, 2011 • 7 Comments

Enjoy this entertainment news clip from earlier today where Unique went back to revisit things that were happening at this same time last year… namely Rain’s Legend of Rainism Asia stop at Osaka Jo Hall in Japan, January 23-24 of 2010.  (Taiwan, the end of the tour, came directly after that.)

Interestingly enough, best bud BbaekGa had just had his very serious brain operation on the 22nd in Korea (which was why poor Rain couldn’t be there), and Terri and I had just given birth to Cloud USA on the 21st, after being in labor for two straight weeks.  (It was hell! I swear I built this blog by the skin of my teeth. LOL)

— Stephe ^@@^

[Rain (Bi) TV] 110112 Unique Ent. News_Behind Story_Rain Edit. (Credit: Only 비 @ DC / scorpiolabibi1 @YT)

(English translation by rain bird @rain-eu.)

– Aired on January 12th, 2011-

0:07~1:12
– When OBS TV carried exclusive coverage on Rain’s Asian tour concert in January of the year before last, he spoke remarkably frankly about what he is heading abroad. –

0:16~0:40
-At that time when he was having a concert in Japan’s Osaka in January, 2009.-

Rain : First of all, it is necessary to be an object of fascination to our neighbor countries, and this precedes all others. The making inroads into America is to be the second best.

0:48
– What is the meaning of marriage to Rain who is a young man of 29? –

0:53~1:00
Q : Would you be interested in starting a romantic relationship with a woman?

Rain : I’m ready for it and am thinking about it a lot.

1:04~1:06
Q : When was the last time you dated your girl friend?

Rain : There are so many facts here you don’t know.

1:10~1:16
Rain : I’ve always liked a sexy woman, but I like a kind-hearted woman, too.

1:18~1:38
Q : What is family really about for you?

Rain : Spending time with my family, eating in together in mornings and evenings or taking weekend trips together, could make me feel really happy.

°

And a Bonus: My favorite post about Rain’s LoR Osaka stint, from early February 2010. Interviewer Dude was like, OMG is he really this big or am I hallucinating? ROFL!  I suppose it’s time for ME to go back to the basic and start pulling out some of this older JiHoon goodness.

Cloud USA 2/7/2010 — Stephe, Corr.

Rain DWARFS Japanese Interviewer

This bit of video funny took place in Osaka around Jan 23rd, when Rain returned to Japan for a second round of Legend of Rainism. A news organization (Ten) sent one of their people to do a piece on the concert at Osaka Jo Hall and the opening of J.Tune Camp Japan’s official fan site, which Rain attended. (There is some really nice footage of Rain throughout the video. The news people are completely enamored with him.)

By the way, I do believe Korean fans were being interviewed outside the arena! It sounded like the lady with the pink-sequined bow said, “Ji-Hoon, saranghaeyo.” (“Ji-Hoon, I love you,” honorifically.)

Now, I am quite used to seeing Rain tower over people with his 6’1″ self. That rarely surprises me. But for Pete’s sake—I about laughed myself silly at how his entire body dwarfed this poor interviewer. It looked like a special effect. The interviewer was incredulous at the fact that Rain made him look like a ten year old, and had to touch him to make sure he was real, which embarrassed the heck out of Rain. (OMG, a man I don’t know is touching my chest. ROFL!) And check out how the interviewer’s feet are the same size as Rain’s feet, which makes even LESS sense.

So… why do I have a picture of Rain and good friend Kim Tae-Woo (of G.O.D.) in this post? To show just how much Tae-Woo towers over Rain. If Tae-Woo had walked into that room instead, that poor interviewer just might have had a coronary. — Stephe ^@@^

Rain Bi TV 020310.  Ten Osaka entertainment news review.  (courtesy of hiroio @YT)

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon, Legend of Rainism
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[ETA fan cam] New on the Block.

•January 12, 2011 • 7 Comments

ETA: See now… Diva got me started.  It’s all her fault.  She asked about the picture I put in this post, which led me to revisit one of my favorite fan cams where said pic was taken… and so I’m laughing at Rain all over again and I must share it.  So have fun with this, compliments of the Divalcious One.  Heh.  ^@@^

Rain shows off the man-V at his SixToFive Fashion show in Macao, and is Attacked By Killer Confetti.  LOL!  (6/27/2009, courtesy of bluberrie7 @YT)

°

November and December site maintenance has been completed.  As a result, the following PAGES in our media blog sidebar (to your right) have been REFRESHED:

» Inside J.Tune Camp: For BLAQ Girls

» Outstanding Fan Videos (though some can only be viewed on YouTube, they are MORE than worth your time, so click and enjoy them all!)

» Commercial Spots

» News Articles & Images

There was quite a bit of memorable material, so other PAGES were slightly refreshed in one way or another, as well.

NEW:

Our 2010 MTV World Cup of Rock/FIFA World Cup PAGE, for when you want to relive that grueling, glorious time when we as one Rain Cloud Nation drove Rain and South Korea to victory on MTV.com.  How amazing was that? 😀

Until next time, dear peeps.

— Stephe ^@@^

Posted in Cloud USA, Rain Topics, usa cloud
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[clip] Rain and MBLAQ put the “camp” in J.Tune Camp.

•January 12, 2011 • 12 Comments

What does the word “camp” mean, exactly?  Well, a few of the more common definitions are:

» A place where people engage in intensive training

» A group of people who think alike or share a cause; side

» To live in or as if in a camp, settle; to provide with accommodations

And so, as you can see, J.Tune Camp has always been rightly named.  Seniors guide juniors when necessary and then let the juniors get on with their business.  And of course, when the business end of the day is done, you can be sure that brothers take care of brothers.  This is one tightly-knit bunch.

— Stephe ^@@^

레인 엠블랙.  (This literally translates to “Lane MBLAQ.”  Leave it to J.Tune to be cryptic LOL! MBLAQ practices “Stay” choreography with Rain. ^@@^)  Credit: jtunecamp @YT.

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon, mblaq
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[article] Behind the Scenes of Cry with MBLAQ.

•January 12, 2011 • 5 Comments

— ^@@^

°

HelloKPop 1/12/2010 — TerriKR, Correspondent

Hot on the heels of BLAQ Style’s release, MBLAQ (Music Boys Live in Absolute Quality) released this “behind-the-scenes” look at the making of their music video for Cry, one of the album’s two title tracks.

The boys of MBLAQ looked the height of fashion and right at home on the elaborate set designed especially for the video. Whenever the opportunity arose in between takes, they mugged at the camera and charmed their fans, who were surely pleased to get a glimpse of their favorite idols in action.

BLAQ List is the group’s first full-length album, and its focus on the boys’ musical talents, rather than gimmicks, has been well received. MBLAQ members contributed to the production of this album in several ways. Seungho, the group’s leader, composed and performed the album’s intro song, “Sad Memories. Mir composed “You’re My +,” a song written especially for MBLAQ’s fans, called A+’s.

According to a statement recently released by J.Tune Camp, there has been “overwhelming interest” in the album and, “in one day, over 25,000 copies” of BLAQ List were sold. The agency plans a second production run of the albums in anticipation of future sales.

Sources: absolutemblaqchannel, Daum and Osen News

Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, mblaq
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[post] Rain created MBLAQ’s new track, “My Dear.”

•January 12, 2011 • 6 Comments

Koreaboo 1/12/2010 — loveshane, Correspondent

It has been revealed that Rain played a special part in MBLAQ’s newly released first album, BLAQ Style. Known as MBLAQ’s producer and manager, the world star had written and composed the album’s 4th track entitled, “그대여” or “My Dear”.

Rain wrote the song’s lyrics and produced the beats alongside with them. The track boasts feelings of hope to overcome life’s hardships, allowing you to sing along to its adrenaline packed rhythms in an exciting, somewhat informal atmosphere.

MBLAQ will begin their comeback stage on Mnet M!Countdown on January 14th. What do you think of Rain’s involvement in the song?

By: loveshane

Source: E Daily and scorpiolimpy

°

Well, frankly, the song makes me want to shake what my mama gave me, and shake it hard. It’s kickin’.  I dig it.  It’s quite Rainish.  I’m glad Rain did contribute something to the album; one song certainly won’t interfere with the Boys’ newfound independence.

What about you all?

— Stephe ^@@^

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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[Exclusive] “Rain’s Coming” Lead Dancer Menina Fortunato Speaks—And Cloud USA Listens

•January 11, 2011 • 40 Comments

[NOTICE: Please DO NOT post this article on another blog, forum, or fan-site.  It is an exclusive, and should only be posted on Cloud USA.  I worked very hard on this original article, and I would like it to be read in its entirety and exactly as I have it posted here.

If you would like others to read this work, then please feel free to grab a couple of photos and the full headline, and then link them back to this post here on Cloud USA.  Thank you very much. Terri :-}]

~Written by Terri :-} @ Cloud USA

Lovely Clouds,

Here at Cloud USA, you know we are always scouting around for fascinating stories about Rain for you, right? As you can imagine, much of our investigation requires us to watch countless hours of Rain videos. Yes, yes, we know it’s a terribly tedious task. Sigh. But it’s a sacrifice we are willing to make—all for you, of course. :-}.

Recently, I was cruising around on YouTube and watching some videos of Rain’s “Rain’s Coming World Tour.” You know. The one from 2006-2007, where Rain splashes into town via a super submarine that ultimately blasts open to reveal “His Hotness” at center stage? Now, granted, as distracting as Rain can be, I sometimes manage to retain my professionalism long enough to notice other things around him — like his amazing concert staging, his spectacular openings, and even, sometimes, his lovely (or hot, if they’re the “men behind the man”) back-up dancers.

Which brings me to the focus of this article: Menina Fortunato.

Who is Menina Fortunato, you ask? Well, for those of you who don’t know, Menina D’Amours Fortunato is an incredibly talented model, producer, choreographer, and international freelance dancer. She also happens to be the Lead Dancer I had the good fortune to spot in those world tour videos I mentioned earlier—and the even better sense to e-mail and ask for a feature interview for Cloud USA.

And guess what, Clouds? She said yes! Sorijiluh

Continue reading ‘[Exclusive] “Rain’s Coming” Lead Dancer Menina Fortunato Speaks—And Cloud USA Listens’

Posted in Bi Rain, Celebrity Interview, Exclusive, Featured, Korean pop, Rain history, Rain performance, Rain Topics, Rains Coming concert tour
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[clip] More ADIEU in the news…

•January 11, 2011 • 2 Comments

…in this entertainment report from CEN.  The more coverage, the merrier, I say.  Rain’s ADIEU! 2010 shows took place in Seoul, but goodness, they were like some worldwide event!  Everybody was up in there.

Love it.

— Stephe ^@@^

RAIN BI 비 110103_CEN_ADIEU 2010 with RAIN Concert.  (source: Cloud Taiwan / courtesy of biblueberry06 @YT)

Posted in Bi Rain, Bi Rain News, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
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