At the JYP Nation Teamplay Concert on Christmas Eve. — ^@@^ (images: as tagged / source site: rain-cloud)
New on the Block.
•December 27, 2010 • 7 Comments
REFRESHED: Our About Cloud USA: Who We Are page, all gussied up for 2011. Meet our crew.
ADDED: Our brand new Cloud USA Store page. It’s where you can order and buy Rain and MBLAQ merchandise, from the Back To The Basic mini-album to the Ninja Assassin original soundtrack to “Y”, and books, posters, and other goodies. There’s plenty of room for the store to grow and GROW, and it will. This is only the beginning. Go see what’s up.
‘Til next time, Rain clouds…
— Stephe ^@@^
You know you’re a Cloud at Christmas when…
•December 27, 2010 • 10 Comments… On your holiday trip to Malaysia, you get yourself some life-sized Rain at a Nature Republic shop. ^@@^
Image credit: Cloud USA community member Melanie, of Australia. Can we join you, Mel? Pretty please?
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… Your kids are so COOL that they get you life-sized Back To The Basic Rain for a holiday gift. ^@@^
Image credit: Cloud USA community member Gee, in Louisiana, with her Man on Christmas.
Image credit: Community member Gee. That's one great looking cut-out, yo!
°
… Your nephew is so COOL that he takes a bottle of Rain-X and makes it a bottle of Rain/Ji-Hoon-X and presents it to you for Christmas. ^@@^
Image credit: Cloud USA co-founder Terri, in Atlanta. Rain/Ji-Hoon-X front. 🙂
Image credit: Terri. Rain/Ji-Hoon-X, back. 🙂
[clip] Rain on Zhejiang Satellite TV in China…
•December 27, 2010 • Leave a Comment… as aired on Christmas Day.
Rain gives a shout-out to the 2010 China Feng Shang Awards, to be broadcast on 浙江衞視 (Zhejiang satellite television in China). Looks like the awards are to be televised on 12/31 this year. I don’t think he’s a nominee (because an older album of his is in the graphics), just endorsing the event.
He’s got his ADIEU!2010 with Rain concert on that night, in any case.
— Stephe ^@@^
[Rain (Bi) TV] 101225 Rain (Bi) message. (credit :玩酷WILL @ tudou / dada @ raincloudhk / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
(brief translation by rain bird @rain-eu.)
Hi, everyone. This is Rain.
I want to extend my congratulations on 浙江衞視’s 2010 awards ceremony with Seoul City.
It’s the most fashionable award.
Are you ready?
10 Magazine: Rain amongst New Year’s concerts.
•December 27, 2010 • 1 Comment
10 Magazine 12/27/2010 — 10 Media, correspondent
12/31—1/16 New Year’s Concerts
Some of the most famous international superstars are coming to Korea to celebrate the new year! Close your eyes and imagine Michael Bolton serenading “How Can I Live Without You” as you ring in the new year. South of the river, Korea’s very own Bi (rain) will be making ladies swoon with his smooth voice and slick dance moves. Sting will give a grand performance for his Northeastern Asian fan base as he helps usher in the first few weeks of the new year. And Mary J Blige will make sure 2011 will be full of no drama.
December 31st
Michael Bolton Concert
When a man loves a woman, he buys her tickets to a Michael Bolton concert Only for the true romantics. Hwajeong Gymnasium at Korea University near Anam Stn. (line 6). 8 pm. W88,000 – W132,000. 1599-3066Rain in Concert
End 2010 with “Bi” (Rain), one of South Korea’s most famous entertainers. Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium near Sports Complex Stn. (line 2). 6 & 11:30 pm. W66,000 – W165,000. 1544-1555January 11th
Sting Concert
Former front man for the Police, solo artist, yoga master, and actor, Sting has a peerless resume, and his musical work over the past two decades is just as impressive. See him in Seoul as part of Hyundai Card’s Super Concert series at the Gymnastics Arena at Olympic Park near Olympic Park Stn. (line 5, ex. 3). 8 pm. W77,000 – W230,000. ticket.interpark.com 02-3141-3488January 16th
Mary J Blige Live in Seoul
With nine Grammy awards and eight multi-platinum under her belt, Mary J Blige brings soul to Seoul. Grand Peace Palace at Kyung Hee University near Hoegi Stn. (line 1, ex. 1). 5 pm. W66,000 – W165,000. khugpp.khu.ac.kr 02-961-9250
— ^@@^
[article] JYPE becomes largest shareholder of Rain’s agency.
•December 27, 2010 • 10 Comments
10asia 12/27/2010 — Jessica Kim, correspondent
JYP Entertainment (JYPE), one of Korea’s largest talenthouses founded and run by famed singer-producer Park Jin-young, will become the largest shareholder of Asian pop sensation Rain’s entertainment firm J.Tune Entertainment next year.
J.Tune announced through a regulatory filing on Monday that they have decided to increase their capital by issuing about 6.37 million new stocks worth a total 8.5 billion won, equivalent to almost 7.4 million dollars, to 19 subjects including JYPE, Park and JYPE CEO Jung Wook on January 20.
When the new stocks are issued, JYPE will hold 18.54 percent, or over 4.07 million J.Tune shares to become its largest shareholder. Kim Yoon-chul, the current owner of J.Tune, holds a 3.06 percent stake in the company.
The news has been welcomed by J.Tune’s investors and fans of the two parties — J.Tune, whose stocks had been suffering since Rain sold off all of his shares in the company on July 19 of this year, closed at 1,780 won on the junior KOSDAQ market, up 14.84 percent from its last trading day on December 24.
Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, had set up J.Tune in 2007 by investing 4.7 billion won in the agency to make him largest shareholder.
He had also left JYPE to make the move, arousing speculation that the two would be on bad terms since Park made Rain the superstar he is today in the Asia region.
However, today’s announcement confirmed the two’s strong relationship, further backed by a separate press release by JYPE stating that Rain had proposed Park manage J.Tune.
“Rain asked Park to become in charge of managing J.Tune since he wants to focus solely on his singing and acting career until he enters the military next year,” JYPE explained.
“JYPE will provide its utmost support to Rain so that he may pursue his career more freely and actively,” JYPE vowed in its statement.
Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
— ^@@^
[clip] Rain, 2PM, and JYP Nation in the news…
•December 26, 2010 • 4 CommentsObviously someone was trying NOT to answer a question in that group interview. Haha! 🙂
— Stephe ^@@^
[Rain (Bi TV] 101225 Rain @ Entertainment news 1. (credit: KBS 2TV / courtesy of rainbox625 @YT)
Rain check.
•December 26, 2010 • 17 CommentsFresh, lovely screen captures of Rain during his guerrilla interview on the night of the lunar eclipse, near Hongik U. You know he got a HUGE kick out of making people freak out on the street. Bad boy. 🙂 — ^@@^
(caps credit: Nate News / caps source: FanRain)
RAINY DAY Season 2, episode 47.
•December 26, 2010 • 1 Comment
Asia broadcast, Christmas Day, 12/25.
We continue ZEPPing in Fukuoka, on 6/25, exactly six months ago. Does this mean we’ll get to see Rain glazed/icing’d up worse than a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts fresh from the oven, for his birthday? We’re about to find out!
As usual, starting out, Rain is playing the crowd like a fiddle. LOL! *shaking my head* He is ridiculously good at that, as we all know. And the crowd, from this rearward point of view, is incredibly thick and dense. That is a lot of ZEPPers, folks. Good lord—he practically steps down into the audience to converse with them. Can you even imagine something like that? O_O (Well actually, some of you have experienced it in person… at LoR Las Vegas, where he walked up the dang aisle!)
He’s very talkative. Wonderfully talkative. And I can’t help but hope that, when he comes here during his tour, he shares time with us like that. And he doesn’t have to do it in English! We would love English, don’t get me wrong… but that’s not important nor are we obsessed with such a thing. Pull a ZEPP, JiHoon—chatter away at your leisure and use an interpreter that you trust. Or mix it up. What a lovely time we would have together. ♥
Ah, and now the jacket comes off. “I love youuuu…” They love you too, dear. Let us “innocently” flip the hair a bit more (am I going to have to talk to you again about that, huh, dude?), and grab our ‘RayBans.’ The show must go on!
It’s time to Escape the Sun. I have to say that those fans were darned well behaved when he came down in front of them a second time. That is some incredible restraint from a pinkie-length away, if that. Um!
“Let me, let me, let me touch ya!” (and we all collectively shout, Okay! When?) “Break it down. Break it down!” *Stephe bounces in her office chair and gives it a workout* “Let’s jump! Haha.”
OMG, it’s Don’t Stop. Why does that song and its choreography put me in a frenzy every time? Wae? Wae-wae?? ♥ ♥ Poor baby boy. He’s so tired. And yet he has the stamina and intestinal fortitude to push right through. That is what makes him stand out from all the rest. That’s what makes him Rain.
They’re making us wait on the birthday cake fiasco, y’all. But you know it’s coming. Ain’t no doubt.
Santockki! Wild rabbit! Yeah! 😀
— Stephe ^@@^
(source: teamjihoon625 / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
[ETA new clip 9/16][clip/Eng trans] Rain’s surprise interview near Hongik U.
•December 26, 2010 • 48 Comments{*Edited to Add 9/16/2012: I see that the original clip we posted back on 12/21/2010 has been scrubbed! Well, here is the KBS World English-subbed version of Rain’s Hongik University guerrilla interview, in its stead. Enjoy! ^@@^}
[Star Date] Rain (비). Source credit: KBS World / kbsworld @YT)
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We’ve all been waiting for this, haven’t we?
So do enjoy this entertainment news spot of Rain’s guerrilla date/surprise interview that was sprung on the Seoul residents milling around Starbucks near Hongik University, the night of the recent lunar eclipse.
Rain charms the masses (with his adorable mop top), makes several female fans stutter in amazement, makes a baby girl (and we know how much he wants daughters one day) wiggle determinedly BACK to her mom (LOL!), and speaks on that world tour he » originally hinted about back on stage in Japan HERE, during the ZEPP tour (Love Saitama). Haha. Yes, he spilled those beans to the Japanese fans back in mid-July. We hadn’t forgotten about that. Not for a second. 😀
We wanted something about the new album that was pushed back… and there ya go. It’s still alive and well.
The condition of his body isn’t surprising, really. The way we see it, his dancing career from 2000 up to 2007 particularly took a terrible toll (no one else can dance the way he does), and the torturous Ninja Assassin odyssey was the cap on that stack. Ouch. But the man is still in amazing shape—no doubts about that. And he has a hell of a lot left in him. Just watch.
There’s plenty of action still lurking behind that sexy exterior. 😉
He’s working on his six-pack and he needs two more. ROFL! JiHoon, you are hilarious.
— Stephe ^@@^
[Rain (Bi) TV] 101225 Rain @ Entertainment news (2). (courtesy of rainbox625 @YT)
(brief translation by rain bird @rain-eu.)
~0:08
MC : Here is world star Rain.0:12
Rain : Please look forward to Rain’s guerilla date.– The crowd occupied the roads near Hongick University because of Rain’s guerilla date, blocking traffic for miles around –
0:37~0:50
Rain : It’s a very familiar place for me where I spent most of the time dancing at that time when I was wandering around the streets hungry in junior high school.0:51~0:57
Rain : What’s this?
I really like dogs. Thank you for your present, and I’ll have it on my wall at home.1:02~1:07
Rain : The baby isn’t crying.MC : Do you like Rain? (to the baby)
Baby : ( He is a stranger!)
-Baby deserted Rain to go back to mama-
1:09~1:13
MC : You are a real eager beaver who practices and practices.Rain : I only practice. (laughing)
1:14~1:24
Rain : I practice more than in the past because my body isn’t as good as it used to be.1:33~1:34
MC : Why did you it? (When woman A hugged Rain right after she came forward)Woman A : I knew he would hug me.
1:36~2:09
Student A : I just feel on top of the world. I’ve come from a distant place and met Rain unexpectedly. I love Rain, world star, Bi !MC : But just what is it about him that makes you fall in love with him?
Student A: He is very sexy from head to foot. My aunt figures I’m here studying hard, (but I’ve had an unexpected piece of good luck during break time.) Anyway, can I do it?
02:10~02:16
MC : What do you want to do?-Then, Rain gave her a big hug-
Student A : I can’t believe it! Oh, thank you!
02:17~02:27
MC : Do you like Rain? (to Student B)Rain : She looks just like me ! (She was so excited that she couldn’t talk)
-They took a picture together in memory of something resembling-
02:30~
Student B : I’ve liked Rain since I was in elementary school.MC : Do you ever go to his shows?
Student B : Not yet.
MC : Because seats tend to sell out quickly ?
02:36~02:44
Rain : I’m scheduled to perform on the 31st, so I recommend coming in on the day.Student B : Since I have no money, I can’t buy it.
Rain : I’ll invite her somehow.
-She was a smash hit-
02:50~2:55
Rain : Please put down your contact number (to Student B). Dear ‘Park Sung Hyun’s parents (Student B’s parents), I entreat you to let her go to my concert. I’ll arrange the ticket somehow and invite her.02:58~03:11
Rain : There’ll be a spectacular laser show using 3-dimensional graphics technology in my show. It seems to be very different now than ever before.03:12~03:22
MC : How do you maintain your six packs?Rain : I’ve made 4 six packs, and I need to make 2 more. I think they will be back to the beginning before my concert.
03:24~
MC : Start!Fans : (They are singing Rainism together)
03:36
Rain : Thank you.03:43
MC : Do you like singing Rainism song to Rain’s choreography?Fans : Yeah!
3:57~4:13
Rain : I think it’s been almost 10 years since I made my debut as a singer under the name, Bi (Rain), and I’ve actually been singing for almost 8 years. Fortunately, I think I’ve never kept on being lazy yet when I look back on the past.4:16~4:47
MC : You’ve worked with a lot of beautiful actresses. Let me play a game of World Cup to look for you Miss Right.Rain : I really hate playing such a game. They are all good actresses.
MC : Let me play the game for a KBS special to air in Christmas on the guess that they will be all good actresses. ‘Song Hye Kyo’ vs ‘Gong Hyo Jin’. Choose one.
Rain : Do you think we should go through with this even though I’m glad we could meet after all these years ? Please don’t do this. I like all of them. Please finish it in this way.
04:49~04:55
– Rain has actively played a variety of roles in several other films and dramas for a constant change, from a high school student to a private detective, a killer and so on.-04:57~5:08
MC : Which character do you think is for you?Rain : I could be just as adept playing a psychopath character. In the middle of the movie shoot, the director didn’t care about my acting because I played the character like I was possessed.
05:10~05:27
Rain : I recently got a physical exam at the hospital, and I’ve been proven to be physically in my 40s. Exercising and dieting excessively might produce negative result. They say I’ve simply overworked my body. [Wow, we would never have guessed.Of course you have, and we’re worried about you! ^@@^]
5:30~
-Sylvester Stallone tried to cast Rain for his movie, but Rain turned down Stallone’s request due to Rain’s busy schedule relating to his world tour.-5:44~6:12
Rain : The [promotional? ^@@^] schedule for movie Ninja Assassin shoot had already been set at that time, so I promised Stallone that I could work with him after [promoting? ^@@^] Ninja Assassin. After that, I actually visited his house and greeted him.MC : Can you tell me where the house is ? [Seriously, dude?
Reporters. *shaking my head* ^@@^]
Rain : Are you able to know the location because you’ve never been there before?
Stallone lives in Santa Monica.
MC : Did you go to his house to see him, helped by a car navigator?
Rain : Of course. (laughing)
06:13~06:23
MC :What is your final goal as a singer?Rain : I try to go to the limit. I’ll do everything I can, even though I’m criticized.
MC : Will you do it, even though your six packs disappear?
Rain : Yes. (laughing).
06:25~06:47
Rain : I’ll serve in the military as an active-duty soldier around in the second half of next year. I could not be a very good dancer or a singer then, but I’ll continue to make every effort as much as I fall behind. I consider looking after my soul, so I don’t feel so burdened about it. I’m sure It’ll give me a good opportunity to look back on my time.06:48~07:02
MC : You have only five days left to become 30 years old.Rain : I can’t remember what I’ve done (laughing and making a gesture to feel as if something burst inside him). I climbed Namsan to get a view of the sun rise at the age of 19.
07:03~07:25
MC : Really?Rain : I wished on the sun rise and decided to let everyone in the world know me, when I went up to the mountain top in a difficult situation where I experienced a great sense of loss when my mother passed away, with my poverty-stricken family background.
07:26~07:38
Rain : Reflecting on what’s come before, at this time of my late 20s, I think I’ve accomplished my dream, so I’m thinking of climbing up to the mountaintop once again before I’m 30 years old.-World star Rain who has a bigger dream even though he has already been at the very top of his profession. We always cheer for him.-
[As well you should! — Stephe ^@@^]
[fan made] All we want for Christmas is JiHoon… happy.
•December 24, 2010 • 8 Comments
That be Jung JiHoon. As if you didn’t know!
Dear friends: May your houses be filled with loving warmth and sugary aromas.
May your families be safe and snug like bugs in their beds tonight.
May you hear Santa’s sleigh bells in your sleep in the wee hours of the morning.
No matter what your preference: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or nothing at all save love and togetherness… may the Blessings of God and Universe shine upon you now and forever more. ♥ On behalf of Terri, Jim, Katie, Alex, Kris, and myself…
Happy Holidays.
— Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com ^@@^
Bi, Rain It’s smiling 0008-Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!! (credit and edit: tubetubehawaii @YT)
Get your Rain wallpaper! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
•December 24, 2010 • 7 Comments*Edited to Add 8/9/2011:
—
ORIGINAL POST
Well, we were thinking what a shame it was that our 2010 Cloud USA Rain calendars could only be used for their particular month without everyone looking like a doofus (having an August calendar up in October is quite embarrassing, even if Rain is on the thing).
Soooo, in celebration of the season… we decided to take the calendars off and offer them up as regular wallpaper for you all to use any time your little hearts desire. (And here’s a great gif from Katie.) We hope you like. 🙂
And with our Christmas Box to Rain finally through S.Korean customs and within his reach, that throws even more Happiness and Cheer into the air, doesn’t it? Wow, what a holiday.
Merry Christmas to all Cloud USA community members everywhere! Hugs to our regulars, who not only keep us wrapped in the warmth of their loving companionship every day, but more often than not make us laugh ourselves into hot messes. LOL Merry Christmas to all of our sister Rain sites across the Blogosphere, to the Men and Women behind the Man, and to all of Rain’s Crew and family.
And much love to you, JiHoon. Your Cloud USA Christmas is on its way.
— Stephe ^@@^
Cloudy Day: If only we had our own magazine…
•December 24, 2010 • 12 Comments… dedicated to all things Jung JiHoon.
Well, we can dream… and plan. Heheh. You never know when it comes to us. 😉
— Stephe ^@@^
(image credit: Katie @cloudusa.org / purplezest)
[article/fan cams/images] Rain + 2PM = Teamplay at the JYP Nation concert.
•December 24, 2010 • 12 Comments“2PM… shake that ass! SHAKE that ass!” *2PM shakin’ hard* LMAO!
And I LOVE Rain’s mop top. Love it, love it, LOVE it. Reminds me of his trip to the Alps, but with more mop. *squeak*
Okay, that’s enough, Stephe. 😀
This show was a JYPE Past & Present moment, and a pretty cool one, from the looks of it. When I heard the legendary Tae-Woo and g.o.d. were there too, I thought I was going to croak. Wow. It’s been a heck of a long time since Rain and g.o.d. were on the same stage.
“If it weren’t for G.o.d and Rain, I don’t think it would be possible to create the JYP artists today…. Rain has gone through tough training….
I feel something special about Rain.” (joking) “I could make a bundle by stringing along with the success of Rain and G.o.d.” (continuing) “Without the product of the two’s painstaking efforts, there are no Wonder Girls, 2PM and so on. Please love our forever family, Rain and G.o.d., including MBLAQ.” — J.Y. Park, 12/24/2010 · source: TV Daily & Nate
— Stephe ^@@^
101224 JYP nation 2PM &RAIN. (courtesy of supika0916 @YT)
≈
This one was cammed by a devoted 2PM fan… but there is enough of Rain’s fine form floating in and out of it to warrant a mention. So here it is.
101224 itsraining. (courtesy of copolymer7 @YT)
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(images: naver news / DC / Twitter)
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Allkpop 12/24/2010 —
Photos from 2010 JYP Nation—Team Play concert.
After weeks of preparation, the first-ever 2010 JYP Nation – Team Play Concert took place at the Seoul Olympic Stadium as JYP Entertainment artists enjoyed a memorable Christmas Eve with their fans.
Led by their mentor, Park Jin Young (JYP), the JYP lineup of 2PM, Wonder Girls, miss A, Joo, J.Lim and San E came together to put on a special show for fans. In addition, as a show of friendship, long-time friend and colleague, Rain also made a special appearance.
Living up to the concert’s concept of team play, the artists put on a dazzling show of special collaborative stages to hit songs like “Don’t Leave Me“, “Tell Me“, “Breathe“, etc although the most eye-catching stage would be “Heartbeat” as the girls linked up with the 2PM boys.
Following immediately after the conclusion of JYP Nation’s concert, was JYP’s “Bad Party – The Dancer‘ concert which is currently taking place (started at midnight) at the same location.
Check out the concert photos which certainly looks a helluva lot of fun!
Written by: Casper
» You can check out the original post and a massive gallery of photos on the Allkpop site HERE.
Another New Balance Endorsement…by Terri :-}
•December 24, 2010 • 22 CommentsROFL.
You know what? I had to LOL at the New Balance folderol, mainly because…well…anyone who knows me can tell you that I’m like the complete opposite of a Fashionista: jeans/sweats, tee-shirts/sweaters, sneakers/flats…that’s me in a nutshell.
And frankly, I usually couldn’t care LESS what kind of fashion Rain is wearing. Because, actually, I’m not really lookin’ at the clothes per se (if you KNOW what I mean).
So, you can imagine my bewilderment when the posts all over the Rain blogosphere started appearing, saying: “Rain’s wearing New Balance shoes! Rain’s wearing New Balance shoes!” OH EM GEE.
And YET…I must admit that I am such a fan of New Balance shoes, that they are just about all I buy (that and Naturalizers, anyway). And guess what that makes me? An endorser of New Balance shoes TOO!
Isn’t that special??
Okay, well, I guess my endorsement doesn’t matter quite as much as Asian Mega-superstar Rain’s does. (And let me assure you, I get paid a heck of a lot less for it. Hee hee.) Still, since this is my blog, that means I can say what I want. And so, I’m gonna give my NB’s a shout out anyway.
New Balance shoes are GREAT. They are comfortable. They come in cool colors. And some of them are also actually AMERICAN MADE. If you can believe THAT one.
So, I’m just saying you might wanna go out and buy a pair of New Balance next time you need some new sneakers. Your feet might be glad you did. (Okay, New Balance, you know where to send my check, right?)
Terri wears New Balance too. Does anyone really care?
LOL. You’ll have to take my word for it that IS my foot and my floor. I would have let someone take a picture of the whole me, but there’s no one in the house but me right now, and frankly, it’s hard to take a picture of your own darned foot! Ha ha!
Oh, and those are Chic jeans I’m wearing. Just so you know. :-} Wow. Look at that. Maybe I’ve become a Fashionista after all. Okay, I’m totally lying. No. No, I haven’t. ROFL.
Terri@cloudusa.org :-}
[clip] Celebrity host Je-Dong gets himself some Rainism. :)
•December 23, 2010 • 2 Comments» Remember our previous post concerning Rain’s white “Rainism” suit, which he has worn for many concert, TV show, and video performances, being auctioned off for MBC’s 7 Day Miracle charity?
Well, looks like JiHoon’s hyung JeDong got himself a piece of it before it went. The jacket practically swallowed him up. LOL! Cute.
In the entertainment report clip, JeDong and smooth-singing hyung Kim Tae Woo (of G.o.d. legend) chew the fat about Rain. Looks like they’re really raking him over the coals. LMAO! They’re so bad.
— Stephe ^@@^
101223 Edit Rain (Bi) part. (source: tudou / courtesy of rainbox625 @YT)
°
Rain helps the VKC and the MCST promote tourism.
•December 23, 2010 • 2 Comments
(Visit Korea image: teamjihoon625 / source site: rain-cloud)
As we’re ending 2010 and beginning a brand new year, let’s get ourselves up to speed with the latest on Rain’s partnering with affiliates The Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism and The Visit Korea committee.
The VKC are going all out in welcoming foreign tourists onto the shores of the Korean Peninsula. Bae Yong-jun and extraordinary figure skating champion Kim Yu-na have been declared PR ambassadors of this campaign going into 2011.
You may recall, Rain was given a Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism Award by KOCCA (Korea Culture and Content Agency) for contributing to the development of domestic cultural events in S.Korea earlier this year.
— Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com
≈
The Ministry of Sports and Tourism 12/21/2010 —
Korean characters, actors break into international mainstream.
While it’s not at all unusual for Korean actors and Korean characters to dominate films and books from Korea, there’s been an increase in Korean characters in international media.
-Korean characters in international novels-
In “The Mirror of Cassandra,” a novel by the French writer Bernard Werber, one of the main characters is a North Korean defector named Ye-bin Kim. The book tells the story of Cassandra, an autistic orphan with no memory of her past, who is given the ability to see into the future. During the course of the novel, she meets a soldier, actor, shaman and North Korean defector.
Werber said he created the character of the North Korean to deliver the message that everyone has the right to free speech and that we should all listen to each other.
The genre-bending short story collection “Cloud Atlas” by British author David Mitchell prominently features a Korean character called Sonmi~451 in the last of its six stories. Told by six different individuals at six different points in time, the last story is set in a future where humans have been cloned.
Korean characters have been featured in novels and stories written by non-Koreans before, including in other works by Werber, but it is still unusual to have people of Korean ethnicity as major characters in their own right in internationally distributed novels.
-Korean actors in Hollywood-
Many of Korean actors have moved into the international film circuit and won roles in Hollywood films.Korean actor and singer Rain (Jung Ji-hoon) played the lead in last year’s “Ninja Assassin” and won MTV’s award for “Biggest Badass Star.” He also made headlines at the 2010 Green Planet Movie Awards by winning awards for “Best International Entertainer” and “Asian Cultural Ambassador of the Year,” as well as making their list of “10 Outstanding Asians in Hollywood.”
Korean actor Lee Byung-hun played a supporting role in his first Hollywood movie “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.” Directed by Stephen Sommers and based on the Hasbro action figures, cartoons and comics, the film features Lee as the evil ninja Storm Shadow. His action scenes and charismatic style helped firmly establish Lee as a rising Hollywood star.
Korean superstar Jang Dong-gun stars in “The Warrior’s Way,” a cross-cultural fantasy that mixes action and romance with stunning visual effects. Produced by Barrie Osborne and directed by Sngmoo Lee, the film also features well-known actors like Geoffrey Rush, Danny Huston and Kate Bosworth. The story follows an assassin who flees to the American West, and combines Asian and Western elements. Jang is already one of Korea’s most popular actors, with a following throughout Asia, but this is his first foray into Hollywood. Thanks to “The Warrior’s Way,” he’s become better known internationally, and was interviewed on CNN.
By Oh Jun Kyung
korea.net Staff Writer
Copyrights ⓒ KOIS
[fan made] Ninja Assassin meets Battle of the Kings…
•December 23, 2010 • 9 Comments… in this wonderfully done music video tribute by Italian editor and YouTuber LEON1970. What a great combination… Raizo footage and music by Audiomachine. And the visuals make the very most of Raizo’s eyes, face, and form. You can almost feel his angst yourself as it builds, and builds… I am so digging this.
Awesome clip! Just excellent. Enjoy. 🙂
— Stephe ^@@^
[gore included] Ninja Assassin VS Audiomachine – Trailer Tribute. Song: “Battle of the Kings” by Audiomachine. (Credit and edit: LEON1970 @YT)
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Aaaaand a BONUS:
This NA clip is only a minute long, and it’s during a rather quiet moment considering the rest of the movie… but it’s crystal clear, involves Mika and Raizo, and I found myself holding my breath as I watched it. OMG, why were his hands tied right then? (I mean I know why, but why?) *head spinning*
*D’Angelo’s song “How Does It Feel?” flows through my mind*
Ninja Assassin SPECIAL. (courtesy of tandooripanda @YT)
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Aaaaand a respectful bow to the ORIGINAL Badass: Master Sho Kosugi! I could hug and kiss the person who put this video tribute together!
Not only has the legendary Sho-sama had an amazing 30-year career in action movies, he began martial arts training at the age of 4 and has been the Real Deal for 57 years. He has his own training institute in Japan (that younger son Shane helps to run as older son Kane also went into action movies). Sho-sama is the main reason I’m a ninja/samurai aficionado from waaaay back. He and his sons don’t have to praise anyone, with what they’ve accomplished—and yet he praised Rain’s performance in their scenes together. This man called JiHoon an amazing athlete, and grinned. Wow.
This video delves into the best of Sho-sama‘s films (including Ninja Assassin!) and shows brief footage of him at his teaching best. And I noticed, minutes 11:56 through 13:07 show handsome Kane battling daddy. Haha.
SHO KOSUGI. (credit and edit: ShoKosugiTheNinja @YT)
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God, this post is getting long! LOL But I can’t just not give a shout-out to Kane, who did this incredible take for the movie “Timeless.” He’s one of the few martial artists in the world who were invited to study at the exclusive Shaolin Temple in China. Like father, like son. (He and Rain in an Expendables 2 would be the shiznit, y’all…!)
Kane Kosugi (Long take fight scene). (courtesy of ShawnObi @YT)
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Okay… NOW I’m done. 😉
Rain check: A whole Lot(te) JiHoon.
•December 23, 2010 • 9 CommentsAt today’s MCM charity event at Lotte Department Store. — ^@@^ (images: as tagged / source site: rain-cloud)
[clip/images] Rain arrives at the MCM store at Lotte…
•December 23, 2010 • 15 Comments… and joins MCM CEO Kim Sung Joo as she plays “store manager for the day” for charity. And TV Daily was in Tha House. All charity proceeds will go to helping the S. Korean citizens of Yonpyungdo, who suffered the N.Korean shelling attack earlier in the month.
— Stephe ^@@^
101223 Rain (Bi) @ News_attended MCM event @ Lotte Department Store. (credit: TV Daily / courtesy of rainbox625 @YT)
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[post/images/fan cams] Rain attends MCM charity event…
•December 23, 2010 • 1 Comment
… and looks mighty fine doing it, in his trusty MCM attire. Tis the season to give back, folks. And we all know how good he is at doing that. 🙂
Incidentally, Ms. Kim Sung Joo is the MCM global CEO who appeared with Rain at the MCM mini-salon opening in Shanghai back in August, and appeared in ELLE’s photo shoot with Rain and German cellist Jan Vogler (of the upcoming Dresden Festival, where Classical will meet Pop.)
So it’s perfectly expected that she would be involved with this event as well, and that Lotte Duty Free’s new affiliation with MCM this year meant the event would be held at a Lotte location.
— Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com ^@@^
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Allkpop 12/23/2010 —
Stars attend year-end charity event for MCM
Kim Sung Ju, president of European brand “MCM,” played the role of a branch manager for a day at the MCM store in Lotte Mall on December 23rd.
Stars such as Rain, Jo Yeo Jung, Joo Sang Wook, Hwang Jung Eum, Nam Gyuri, Lee Chae Young, Yoon So Yi and others attended the event to give their support to the president.
The event was in celebration of the brand’s achievements for the year and to look forward to an even better 2011. Profits from the day’s sales will be donated to the residents of Yeonpyeong Island.
By: Vitalsign
Source: Newsen via Nate
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Rain and Ms. Kim Sung Joo (in the red jacket) at today’s MCM charity event.
[Rain (Bi) Fancam] 10-12-23 Rain @ MCM event in Lotte Department Store. (credit: DAUM / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
[Rain (Bi) Fancam 3] 10-12-23 Rain @ MCM event in Lotte Department Store. (credit: DC / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
[Rain (Bi) Fancam 4] 10-12-23 Rain @ MCM event in Lotte Department Store. (credit: Naver / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
[fan cam] We just want to know what the heck is on this guy’s head! :)
•December 23, 2010 • 4 CommentsAs far as we can see, this young man named Carter is a pretty good dancer. Nice job, dude. You should have kept going! *applause* 😀
— Stephe ^@@^
Carter performs “Rainism” on Korean street. At a dance competition at Dongdaemun. (courtesy of lyes84302 @YT)
[clip] KBS World: The most presentable drama of 2010 is Fugitive Plan B.
•December 22, 2010 • 2 Comments
And they declare that in this week’s broadcast highlights for the Runaway/Fugitive special ender on global TV.
The Fugitive: Plan B has ended its first run in Korea on KBS 2TV, but the series is still in the middle of its broadcast run on the KBS World Channel on televisions across the planet. And it’s also very much available for Internet viewing on KBSWORLDi, DramaFever, and Hulu (all online).
We look forward to enjoying the show for a long time yet.
— Stephe ^@@^
[This Week] KBS World TV Highlights (2010.12.20~12.26). (Credit: kbsworld)
[article] Get that glow. Be with aura. :)
•December 22, 2010 • 3 Comments
INews Nate 12/22/2010 —
Sales of Aura Phone are increasing, for which Rain works as a model exclusively.
170,000 Aura phones produced by SK Telesys have been sold until now, for which Rain works as a model exclusively.
This Aura line is the best-selling series of all W phones on the market, and is garnering much popularity with its sophisticated design and high performance which is second only to Smart Phone.
Following W phone, Aura phone has been continuously given the nickname of Rain phone (Bi phone).
credit to inews http://news.nate.com/view/20101222n08173
(Brief translation by rain bird @rain-eu.)
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In addition to the SK-900 Aura W phone, as we recall, the one just under that, the SK-800 “Be The Man” W model, was also called the Rain Phone. Ha. There is also an SK-700 that we don’t remember seeing any advertising for, except on the SK Telesys website below.
» Rain wallpaper and screen savers are HERE.
You can revisit his SK Telesys CFs on our Commercial Spots page. We wanna be with aura too! Waaaaa…! 😉
— Stephe ^@@^
[article/fan cam] Rain was probably the only one looking at the lunar eclipse. :)
•December 22, 2010 • 15 Comments
Star News 12/22/2010 —
Rain’s fleeting presence causes the Hongik University area to be set on fire.
Thousands of people flocked to Rain’s fleeting guerrilla date in which guessing his popularity was still smoking,
Rain participated in prerecording “Guerrilla Date”, one of the sections in KBS 2TV entertainment news ‘Yun Ye Ga Joong Gye’, near Hongick University, from 6pm, last 21st.
This “Guerrilla Date” began near the Hongdae subway station in Seoul City and was done for more than 2 hours, including an interview with him in a cafe near the entrance of the university.
As he made an appearance on the scene, thousands of people came out onto the streets to see him.
It was said that this caused the production crew and his agent’s officials to have such a hard time sorting out the mess.
Rain never lost his composure even in a somewhat dangerous situation where there was absolute mayhem when everyone gathered to see him at once.
He kept his composure in the crowd, dancing to the beat of his hit song ‘Rainism’ while his fans on the scene were singing the song together, which blasted out festive tunes to get the people in a jolly mood, despite the cold weather. He passionately danced to the crowd and was rewarded with an enthusiastic atmosphere.
An official from Rain’s agent expressed on the 22nd, “Rain was all touched by the love of his fans even in the cold weather. He’ll reward them with his activities which move closer to them.”
Meanwhile, Rain’ll meet his fans at his ‘Adieu 2010! With Rain’ concert in Jamshil Gymnasium, Seoul City, upcoming 31st.
(credit to Star News http://news.nate.com/view/20101222n08709)
(English translation by rain bird @rain-eu.)
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Haha. The crowd saw the recognizable celebrity van sitting there, and were milling around wondering who the heck was in it and knowing something was up. They about died when it turned out to be RAIN. “Let me just get out and stand here for a minute…” JiHoon, that was an insane move! Hats off to you, buddy! 😀
— Stephe ^@@^
[Rain (Bi) Fancam 7] 101221 Rain @ Hongik University. (credit: DC Inside / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
[image] The official Korean Cloud’s new site banner.
•December 22, 2010 • 9 CommentsWow. Wow. WOW! Now that’s more like it! Beautiful. ♥ — ^@@^
(credit: rain-cloud.co.kr)
[Cloud USA] Bi Yourself Open Thread 12/22-12/28.
•December 22, 2010 • 53 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?
(Remember, our Project page for newbies on how to access the Official Cloud Rain Fan Club in S.Korea is HERE.)
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Major voting primer (there are a gazillion voting contests out there right now, and if you spread yourself too thin, there will be votes not going to the really important ones):
» The Allkpop Awards 2010. Vote RAIN for Best Male Solo Artist. Vote MBLAQ for Best Male Group. Please do NOT vote for Rain in connection with Story of the Year. The Story of the Year category (not just the story on Rain) is in pretty poor taste, as far as we’re concerned. Yuck.
» The 2010 Beanie Awards, sponsored by Dramabeans. 1.FAVORITE DRAMA SERIES OF 2010: RUNAWAY PLAN B: Wild pan-Asian goose chase with hot guys 2.FAVORITE COMEDIC DRAMA: RUNAWAY PLAN B: Rain + Lee Jung-jin + handcuffs = heaven. 4. FAVORITE ACTION OR MELODRAMA SERIES: RUNAWAY PLAN B: Vicarious running! My workout is complete. 7.BEST KISS: RUNAWAY: Kissing his butt, literally 9.FAVORITE CHARACTER: Ji-woo: “Lady pirst!” 12. FAVORITE BROMANCE :RUNAWAY PLAN B’s Ji-woo & Do-soo: best use of handcuffs…ever. 16. UNDERRATED DRAMA : RUNAWAY PLAN B)
[ *If anyone needs easy voting tips, just let us know in the comments, and we’ll bring some over from sister Wakkitakki. She’s really good at that stuff, you know.
]
» The 2010 JKN New Year Star Awards, sponsored by Korean news portal JKN.
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Systems analysts are working to stabilize the Official Cloud Rain fan club website. A firewall was installed in the process, which may be why some of you are still having problems. Just hang in there! The plan is that as soon as the site is fixed, the membership drive for the new 8th Cloud may finally commence in a few short weeks. As soon as we receive confirmation of the drive from overseas, we will bang the drum.
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This is Christmas week, everybody! Terri’s work schedule has changed, and she also has a lot of family activities. She will be mailing the Pop Quiz posters the Monday after Christmas (which is this Saturday). Jeanie, we still don’t have your home address—please email us. Everyone else, you’re good. Thanks!
— Stephe ^@@^
[spoilers!] Runaway/Fugitive open thread #3!
•December 22, 2010 • 10 Comments
» The previous Fugitive open thread is HERE.
For those of you who are simply dying to talk IN DEPTH about The Fugitive: Plan B episodes, but are desperately trying not to spoil things for those who aren’t up to speed…
This thread is for you. Thanks for being so thoughtful of other fans. Have at!
WARNING: Do not enter, or thee will be SPOILED. You have been warned!
— Stephe ^@@^
[fan made] The Man of a thousand faces.
•December 21, 2010 • 5 CommentsAnd in this fan made video are some of the best faces that Rain had to offer as our favorite hyena and the most capable P.I. in all of Asia, “JiWoo.”
This YouTuber used a music track that is banned from playback on certain sites by UMG (Universal Music Group), so please click the link and watch the video on YouTube. It’s certainly worth your time, so have fun with it. It had me cracking up. 😀
» Bi Rain and his acting skills. (credit and edit: animeloved @YT)
I hope she does a few more like it. *thumbs up*
Stephe ^@@^
[clip] For all you cosmetic aficionados out there…
•December 21, 2010 • 6 Comments
… here’s a Nature Republic virtual shopping trip at the store in the Lotte Castle high rise apartment complex in Seoul. Seeing as there are those of us who may never get to walk into a Nature Republic shop, we really appreciate this bird’s eye view.
YouTuber and avid cosmetics shopper colorlover18 got permission from the NR store to film there, as well as a little help from a clerk. So shiny. So p-r-e-t-t-y. If you’re like me and Terri, being in there would be the same as being in a candy shop. And at minute 12:49, in the skincare section for your nose, there’s an unexpected treat—”JiWoo” sporting his “Biore pore strip” in a Fugitive episode. LOL!
Just too cute.
— Stephe ^@@^
A Virtual eye shopping from Korea Nature Republic./ 네이처리퍼블릭. (video and written comments: colorlover18 @YT)
“First, I want to thank Nature Republic to let me film the store in Korea in Lotte 네이처 리퍼블릭Castle. I really love Nature Republic. Their company has been around in Korea for a long time, before it was “So Mang (소망 화장품) Cosmetics” which is very well known. So I really do trust their company. Just changed their name to Nature Republic. Rain (비) is the model for the N.R. The most famous singer and actor in Asia. I love everything… Seriously everything here. Prices are very reasonable. And also their store whole concept is about going back to Nature. Makes me feel good. This only the first part vid. I will probably have to make 2 more vids with editing to finish up just a basic idea of the store products…”
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Rain check.
•December 21, 2010 • 4 CommentsOur Man for Lotte Duty Free. Nom. 🙂 — ^@@^ (images: sizuku219+rain Angel)
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Rain rehearsing in studio, on the 21st as we understand it… for the upcoming concert? Yes! Adieu! Ooooh! (image: DC, Twitter / source site: rain-cloud)
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More from Rain’s 12/21 guerrilla interview near Hongik University… and checking out the lunar eclipse. (images: DC & Cyworld, as tagged)
[fan cams/images/tweets/posts] Rain shows up near Hongik University with NO warning. Haha!
•December 21, 2010 • 9 CommentsThose of you who are familiar with Korean entertainment news show Entertainment Weekly will also know what a “guerrilla interview” or a “guerrilla date” is (when a celeb suddenly shows up on the streets without warning for an interview… this is set up in advance with the reporter, but the public has no idea it’s going to happen).
Well, Seoul nearly imploded today when Rain materialized out of nowhere for a guerrilla (surprise) interview with a KBS reporter along a street near Hongik University. After watching the lunar eclipse, and a stroll, he and the reporter then went inside somewhere (usually a nearby cafe or restaurant) and continued the interview.
Very cool. And check out the hair. 😀 JiHoon, you are a brave soul, I’ll give you that. (The last guerrilla interview I remember him doing was way back during “Love Story,” I think… anyone else recall that?)
Enjoy, fans.
— Stephe ^@@^
[Rain (Bi) Fancam 5] 101221 Rain @ Hongik University. (credit: DC / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
[Rain (Bi) Fancam 3]101221 Rain @ Hongik University. (credit: DC Inside / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
[Rain (Bi) Fancam 2]10-12-21 Rain at Hongik University. (credit: DC Inside / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
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-홍대에서 비 게릴라 데이트하다!!!!ㅋㅋ완전멋진데~~~ㅋㅋ – Rain had a guerrilla (surprise) date with a KBS reporter at Hongick University!!!! ㅋㅋ He looked very handsome~~~ㅋㅋ
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-홍대에 비 왓음ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 오우 키크다 -Rain visited Hongick University ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Oh, he is very tall.
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-홍대에 비 출몰!! 노란 머리에 멀쩡한 허우대 감상평 끝ㅋㅋ 보너스로 김생민도 봄ㅋㅋ -Rain just showed up at Hongick University without any notice !! I finished watching Rain who has his hair dyed yellowish, with gorgeous figure. PLUS, I also saw ‘Kim Saeng Min’ (KBS reporter)
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-저 지금 홍대인데 게릴라데이트에서 비 봤어요!!!! 한국오니 이런 복도 생기네요!!!!:) -Just saw Rain having a guerrilla date at Hongick University !!!! Such a good thing happened to me, maybe I came to Korea!!!!:)
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-홍대에서게릴라데이트하나봐 여자애들소리지르고난리ㅋㅋ 비래,,,비 비 비 힝ㅜ뒤통수만 덜덜 -Somebody probably had a guerrilla date at Hongick University. As he appeared, girls went hysterical by jumping and screaming his name ㅋㅋ He was found to be none other than Rain.. I was able to see only the back of his head in a situation where I was in a state of tremulous excitement..
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-오늘 홍대에 비가 왔어요!!제가 정지훈과 포옹을했답니다!!!!!!연애가중계에 나오지않을까욧??!! -Today Rain came to Hongick University !! ‘Jung Ji Hoon’ (Rain) embraced me warmly!!!!!! Shouldn’t I be on KBS TV’s ‘Yun Ye Ga Joong Gye’??!!
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-홍대 스타벅스에서 혼자 재무보고서 쓰고있는데 비를 보다! 으잉 멋있당 역시 월드스타 – While filing the financial report by myself at a Starbucks near Hong Ick University, I saw Rain! He looked great. After all, he is a world star.
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-진짜??? 비가 홍대에 나셨어?? 니가 월드스타라 안했음 하늘에서 내린 비인 ㅋㅋㅋ 수고해 멋져 씅♥ -Really? Rain showed up at Hong Ick University? If you hadn’t told me, “Rain means the world star”, I’d have understood the meaning of the word as the rain falling out of the skyㅋㅋㅋ Take care.. He is definitely an awesome guy.♥
credit to Twitter/Me Today/ DC
http://gall.dcinside.com/list.php?id=rain&no=286058&page=1&bbs=
http://gall.dcinside.com/list.php?id=rain&no=286064&page=1&bbs=
http://gall.dcinside.com/list.php?id=rain&no=286060&page=1&bbs=
(English translations by rain bird @rain-eu.)
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[ ETA: UPDATE] URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT RE: The CLOUD USA Christmas Box
•December 21, 2010 • 45 Comments[ETA: UPDATE! Great news, Clouds! The Christmas box has been CLEARED by South Korean customs, and is on its way once again to Rain. Delivery was attempted, but no one was home. The recipient of the box does know that it has gotten through customs though. Now that the holidays are upon us, I anticipate it will be Monday before FedEx can attempt delivery again. I will keep you updated as best I can. In the meantime, have a wonderful holiday with your friends and families. Many blessings to you all. Terri :-}]
Lovely Clouds,
It is just our luck that the Cloud USA Christmas Box has been held up at the South Korean customs office. Officials there are asking for a list of the contents of the box, as well as an itemization of the COST of all of the items in it, so they can determine if any tax money is due. :-{
Please send an e-mail to us at letitrain@cloudusa.org with the following information about the gift items that you sent to Rain:
- detailed gift item description
- How much you paid for EACH of the items that you sent, including the cards that you sent.
Also, if you can scan and e-mail us a copy of your receipts electronically, that would be VERY helpful, because I have a terrible feeling they are also going to ask for detailed proof of exactly what we paid, which means they are going to also want copies of your receipts.
We don’t want the box to be held up any longer than it has to be, so if you could please get all of that to me sometime today that would be WONDERFUL.
I have to not only provide the list, but it also has to be translated into KOREAN. Does anyone know anyone who can do that for us?
Thanks so much,
Terri :-}
Rain, MBLAQ, and The Fugitive: Plan B nominated on Korean news portal JKN.
•December 20, 2010 • 7 CommentsAnd voting for them on JKN is pretty easy, fans! NO registration necessary.
At the time of this posting, Rain is in second place for Star Singer, third place for Overall Star, Fugitive is in second place for Star Drama, and MBLAQ is holding first place for Star Group.
» The JKN New Year Star Awards voting page is HERE.
Please see the specifics and helpful instructions below, as provided by cloud Scorpiola. And happy voting. Please support JiHoon and the Boys and the drama he put his heart into this year. Thanks!
— Stephe ^@@^
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(instructions and screen cap by: Scorpiola)
[12-20] Vote Rain for JKN 2010 New Year Star Awards
http://ent.jkn.co.kr/star/2010award.htm
Use FireFox to vote (because it’s easier to clear all the private datas after each vote)
-NO registration necessary
-need to pick your choice for each category
-confirmation code is case sensitive
-You will be re-directed to the “Result” page if your vote is successfully sent
-need to clear ALL “Private datas” after each vote in order to vote again [clear your cookies]
Cloud USA 