A quiet moment of thought, on the comeback trail. So like him. (Boy, that man has a pair of legs on him, doesn’t he? Wow.) » You can revisit Rain’s May 16th Hip Song stage on Inkigayo HERE. Mazinga Z! — Stephe ^@@^
(blog source: Memo Rain)

A quiet moment of thought, on the comeback trail. So like him. (Boy, that man has a pair of legs on him, doesn’t he? Wow.) » You can revisit Rain’s May 16th Hip Song stage on Inkigayo HERE. Mazinga Z! — Stephe ^@@^
(blog source: Memo Rain)
… gets a news spot. And guess who else is going to be there? My girl, forever diva Insooni! Oh-em-gee! This is going to be some show. — Stephe ^@@^
» Our previous post, Rain’s Nationwide Live Sports Festival appearance confirmed, is HERE.
(credit: ratoka @YT)
… Rain helps MBLAQ backstage with every aspect of their upcoming performance, on Mnet’s Idol Cam. Looks like it’s 9 AM, before MBLAQ’s first “Y” stage on their comeback trail on M!Countdown. D-Day! » Rain and MBLAQ’s M!Countdown performances, from May 20th, are HERE. — Stephe ^@@^
(credit: DC Rain Gallery / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
Doesn’t this remind you of when you graduated high school, or college, or possibly finished up a local or community production of your own, and you got that one last shot with your peeps? Class of…? Cast party of…? This is really cute! — Stephe ^@@^
(blog source: Memo Rain)
While Arirang Global TV is pretty much The Bomb (amazing) these days with the strides it has taken to connect us all to Korean culture, it still doesn’t extend everywhere yet, here in the US. And that’s where KBS World comes in. KBS World, available with many cable and satellite packages, though you do have to pay extra for it, (and included free in local programming if you’re lucky enough to live in an area with a huge Korean population, like our Gwinnett County) is especially for English speakers, and it broadcasts current KBS1 and KBS2 programming hardsubbed (a good 99% of it). This was my doorway into K-drama, K-entertaiment, Rain’s world, and real Korea news and docudrama, and it absolutely changed my life. I’ll be getting it back this summer, and I cannot wait.
Here is a recent entertainment news spot covering Rain’s 2010 MTV Movie Award nomination. (I believe the show itself is Entertainment Weekly, but I’m not sure.) Enjoy. — Stephe ^@@^
(credit: cloud-taiwan.net / courtesy of biblueberry06)
Rain fans who were unable to go to the Dream Concert were pretty much ripped off by the TV broadcast… Last we heard, some performances weren’t aired due to time constraints, and sometimes that cannot be helped. It is disappointing, but understandable. Word is also on the streets that both Rain’s and SS501’s performances weren’t aired because of requests by J.Tune and DSP Media. If that’s true… what is up with that? (A disagreement with the broadcasters, maybe?)
Good thing fan cams and concert pics are available on the Internet. Sheesh.
Allkpop 5/30/2010 — The epic extravaganza Dream Concert 2010 took place on May 22nd at World Cup Stadium in Seoul and it has finally been aired to the public on May 30th. Despite a light drizzle on the day, all the artists put on a great show with the help of MCs Heechul, Shin Se Kyung and Taecyeon.
40,000 fans were in attendance for the show with representatives from various fan clubs. The performers included 2PM, SS501, Wonder Girls, Super Junior, KARA, SNSD, CNBlue, MBLAQ, BEAST, ZE:A, f(x), SHINee, T-ara, Rain, Lee Hyori, After School, F.cuz, Rainbow, Davichi, U-Kiss and 4minute….
— Stephe ^@@^
Here is an absolutely wonderful fan cam of Rain & Crew from start to finish, in wide-shot, which is perfect because you get the full effect of Rain’s astounding stage setting, lighting, et cetera, with the JumboTron handy for tighter shots. The crowd was intense. It is a wonder the entire stadium didn’t come crashing down from their screams alone, and they would not let up! Thanks so much for the tip, blaqcloud!
(credit: YelloPhase @YT / tip: blaqcloud @RL)
[ *From 5/23: brief translation by rain bird @rain-eu of Rain speaking to the fans. “Hello everyone. Nice to meet you. I thank all of you for coming. Sorry for the rain. (it was raining on that day) (the audience all bursts out laughing at the same time: how funny for Rain to say such a thing) “I’ll leave the stage soon after my next song.” (the audience complains: why are you trying to leave so fast?) “I’ll give you Love Song [now].” ]
°
— Written by Stephe Thornton, Managing Editor ^@@^
[Cloud USA] Raizo’s weapon in NINJA ASSASSIN was created especially for Rain—did you know that? It’s true. It didn’t exist.
I was reading an extensive article on a serious CGI website about how NA producer James McTeigue’s vision was brought to life by his production crew, from start to finish, when he mentioned that (and I paraphrase) he wanted Raizo’s ninja weapon to be new and unique, not the usual ninja tool, though the movie was an homage to Master Sho’s era. He wanted it to be an extension of Raizo himself, something alive and flowing and undulating, with a snakelike quality to it. All of the authentic weapons, while quite lethal, had drawbacks to them (for instance, a rope dart and a whip didn’t look lethal enough for the film, and the usual rawhide length of a shoge could be quickly cut by a sword). And so presto, chango… you switch out an element, take the best of one and combine it with the best of another, and you get Raizo’s bladed steel chain with its unusual knife.
Now that is the kind of creativity that makes an interesting character really stand out. And of course, Rain rose to the occasion and learned how to use the thing, once they gave him a prototype of it, in record time.
Recently, thacker at the Martial Arts Blog posted a brief review of NINJA ASSASSIN and the myriad of weapons used on screen, and made note that Raizo’s bladed chain was a version of a ninja shoge (or kyoketsu-shogei). » That review is HERE, and an introduction to » a shoge, for those who have never read about one, is HERE.
Back when NINJA ASSASSIN was premiering, the 30Ninjas Blog put up an amazing post that detailed the invention of the bladed chain for Rain, and how well he delivered on his free-running stunts six stories up on set. » You can read 30Ninjas’ extensive interview with NA stunt coordinator Chad Stahelski HERE. You gotta love a martial arts movie that’s custom built for its star because of his talent, not past glory. Wow.
Though my son and I haven’t been in the dojo for a long time, all things martial (in the real world and the pretend world on the Big Screen) will never fail to catch my eye or intrigue me. How lucky did I get, that Rain’s first lead role here in the US was that of a ninja? S-w-e-e-t.
by Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com
http://www.cloudusa.org
During the Rainism Era, just about every K-celeb you could think of had excess Rainism on the brain. They were grooving to the song and distinctive choreography, and had their own individual ways of doing so. Comedians parodied it, singers and dancers paid it tribute—I happened to see Kim Hyun Joong’s (SS501) performance and he did a fantastic job, and Rain’s friends in the business simply “threw down” when the spirit hit (Kim Jong Kook being all cool with it on Happy Together had me LaughingOL!).
Kim Shin Young changed the lyrics from “how do you feel, make some noise” to “would you like something to eat, make some noise.” ROFL!
One thing was certain… they all loved it. Enjoy this fun compilation, fans. — Stephe ^@@^
(courtesy of 2dcrocks @YT)
Directly from Rain’s official website:
[May-29-2010]<notice from rain-jihoon> J.Tune Camp’s new address.
Hello, this is J.Tune Camp. Please note J.Tune Camp’s change of address due to its movement to a new location. J.Tune Camp’s new address :
J.Tune Camp
Kangnam-gu Samsung-dong 146-7
1-dong The 5th F.
Seoul, the Republic of Korea (South Korea)
(서울시 강남구 삼성동 146-7 1동 5층 제이튠캠프 앞)
(brief translation by rain bird)
As we understand it, the two previous addresses for J.Tune Enterprises and J.Tune Creative (both offices were simply on different floors of the same building) no longer apply. Please make note, so that your birthday cards and wishes to Rain make it to their destination.
— Stephe ^@@^
[ *ETA 6/1: The address probably makes more sense in US terms when put this way:
정지훈 (Jung Ji-Hoon) or 비 (Bi) or RAIN
J.Tune Camp
146-7 Samsung-dong
Kangnam-gu
Building 1, 5th Floor
Seoul, South KoreaThanks, Cloud sister. ]
Asia broadcast 5/29. Continued from last week, getting the rest of the footage for the Love Song MV. Yes, Rain suffered greatly and practically froze into a human popsicle during the entire shoot, as we’ve witnessed, but boy, those mic stands have really taken a beating when it comes to wear and tear. Of course there are NGs—just during that first take, Dancer 1 got his shirt completely hung over his head, Dancer 2 pulled his shirt up late, Dancer 3 flipped his hat off with his shirt, and Dancer 4 forgot to take his hat off entirely, all at the same time. ROFL! One of them apologized while they were all watching that footage [mian hada, mianhae (casual), mian haeyo (formal) 미안 해요, I’m sorry], but Rain was looking like, it’s cold as hell and we’ve got to do another take? $%#*!
At first glance, we thought the hairdresser had poked him in the head with her tool, but no… looks like he jerked because the rubber strap he was exercising with suddenly broke.
(credit: ratoka @YT)
Interestingly enough, none of this particular footage ended up used (in the official MV, Rain is NY gold studded on the streets and only mirror-iced up on top of the high-rise). And even more interesting: those Love Song pics that were leaked early on in the year were probably taken here, where Rain was ATL-iced in the street.
And… it’s a wrap, Rain! Now go get warm. — Stephe ^@@^
(credit: ratoka @YT)
We’ve been waiting for this to air! This SBS Chocolate show was recorded back in mid-April, during the start of Rain’s comeback stages, right around the time of the Cheonan Naval tragedy… and has finally been broadcast. Rain’s past performances on other Chocolate shows have been terrific, so we knew this one would be as well. Women were losing their minds. One last B2TB hurrah, Clouds… sorijiluh! Scream! — Stephe ^@@^
°
(first video courtesy of popponao25 @YT)
Love Song, and hot pyrotechnics. Live music and singers. It’s Raining on the Brooklyn Bridge (and that goes really nicely with his NYC studded Bling). AND Solo Dance! Solo Dance! Halleluia, it’s the LoR Solo Dance, Hip Songed-up!
°
(all courtesy of ratoka @YT)
Rain interviewed, where they show his appearance on a previous Chocolate show, and bring back the same newlywed couple that he mercilessly tortured with “I Do” in 2008. And he does it again! LOL!
°
Hip Song meets the Matrix. Gosh, what a terrific show this was.
°
Let’s bring it on home with Rainism! ‘Cause we love bad boys named ‘Hoon.
Clouds were front and center at Rain’s MBC mini-fanmeet earlier today, as we knew they would be… and this is what they got. We thank you for sharing your fan cams with fellow Rain fans all over the world. Thanks so much! — Stephe ^@@^
(credit: DC Rain Gallery / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
… they all had Good Luv and a Mystery on their hands. And they played it out on a Music Bank stage, back around Christmas 2009, with an ultra-cool MBEAST dance battle/joint tribute performance. The eleven Boy Wonders paid tribute to SNSD, Son Dambi, Super Junior, 2PM, and Brown Eyes Girls, and then contributed to each other’s hit songs in a nice show of comradeship. We had always heard that MBLAQ and BEAST (B2ST), though competing against each other hard in the idol race, were best buds, and hoped that was true, so this performance was a lot of fun to watch. If you haven’t seen this before, enjoy Rain’s prodigies and all the Luvin’ and mysterious head rolling here, Clouds. It’s quite entertaining. — Stephe ^@@^
(courtesy of orainyleeo)
[Cloud USA] And so here we are, Clouds, at that moment we’ve been both anticipating and dreading a bit—Rain’s final B2TB comeback stage on today’s MBC Music Core. And I am telling you, they didn’t call this a Special Goodbye Stage for nothing! In fact, it gave new meaning to the word “special” in my book.
We were black-on-black buttoned-down, following the theme of the first two shows this week, but with a gray tuxedo blazer that Rain eventually discarded for one last go at his Rolling Abs. And then, it was party time as Rain and Crew let us hear their collective hearts beat and suddenly busted out a full minute of one of the sexiest new dance flows I’ve ever seen. Have mercy. (I had been wondering why Hip Song and Love Song were slightly abbreviated… to make room for the new stuff.)
Enjoy this wonderful, bittersweet pill, fans! The hair was flying and dancing (and not just Rain’s—ha) and, ever the dutiful leader, our Ji-Hoon graced one of his talented Crew with a final chance to shine. That is so like him, isn’t it?
After the show, Rain had a mini-fanmeeting right outside MBC Ilsan Dream Center (his website gave notice yesterday that the meet would take place). Pretty cool. Ah well. Now it’s on to the ZEPP and Saitama concerts, Fugitive filming, October album finalizations, and before all of that, MTV.
by Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com
http://www.cloudusa.org
Love Song, abbreviated and with New Dance Flow. (courtesy of ratoka @YT)
Hip Song, abbreviated. Rain and Sexy Crew close out the show. (courtesy of ratoka @YT)
°
(credit: DC Rain Gallery)
(screen caps blog source: rain love & peace)
… of Music Bank’s K-Chart for the week ending 5/28, with Love Song at #6 (two positions up from last time… MBLAQ is also on the chart in the 14th spot). We are definitely good with that, considering that his Love Song stages ended weeks ago. Congrats, Ji-Hoon. 🙂 — Stephe ^@@^
[ *ETA 6/1: The original video that was in this post has been privated, for some reason. We have replaced it with the actual uncut entertainment report, that contains Super Junior’s performance of their No. 1, Bonamana. Thanks. ]
(Credit: kbsworld)
The Manilla Bulletin 5/28/2010 — The biggest stars of K-pop are battling it out for supremacy on album sales and music TV programs to capture weekly chart awards. With Rain, Lee Hyori and 2PM finishing the promotion of their new songs, another batch of K-pop stars are ushering in a new phase of rivalry.
Last week, Super Junior captured their first K-Chart award on KBS “Music Bank” with their song “Bonamana,” the carrier single of their fourth album.
On May 27, K-pop quintet the Wonder Girls won their first chart award on “M! Countdown” for their song “2 Different Tears.” The pop girl group edged out boy band MBLAQ to claim the top spot….
— Stephe ^@@^
Certainly looks like it, on the set of Thursday’s M!Countdown. Cute. (And just look at that magnificent sight over his shoulder—Rain hip-songing on a Jumbo Screen. Get the shot, Joonie…!) — Stephe ^@@^
Joon fan camming while he’s being fan cammed. LOL! (credit: DC Rain Gallery / courtesy of ratoka @YT)
Rain’s final KBS Music Bank comeback stage was broadcast today, Clouds, and as usual, he did the thing in style. His black and white button-down theme continued, but with a bit of sleekness added. (What is it about black dress slacks and dress boots on this man? Wow.)
Enjoy this special Hip Song…! We have one final staging to go—tomorrow, on Music Core. (As we understand it, Sunday’s usual Inkigayo show will be pre-empted by broadcast of the 2010 Dream Concert from the 22nd). — Stephe ^@@^
(image credit: DC Rain Gallery / video: ratoka @YT)
°
We don’t know, because we haven’t heard it straight out of Rain’s or J.Tune’s mouths. But if this news from MyDaily is factual, then Rain’s enlistment has been postponed until next year due to his college studies. So take a deep breath… and finish reading.
K Bites 5/28/2010 — Singer actor Rain (27) has received the warrant for army enlistment on 28th September, but due to some legal reasons, it has been postponed till next year.
A JTune Entertainment rep told MyDaily on 28th May, “Rain has received warrant for army enlistment this year on 28th September. But because he is currently taking courses in a DanKook Unversity, due to reasons of his study and schedule, he has applied for the enlistment date to be postponed till next year.”
Rain is currently studying at the mass cultural arts faculty in DanKook Unversity….
» You can read sookyeong’s post in its entirety on the K Bites blog HERE.
Rain recently said during his talk show rounds (perhaps on Win Win…?) that he was 29 (Korean age), which he is and will be until New Years Day, when he will turn 30. He is also considered 27 (International age), and will turn 28 on his birthday, June 25. To untangle that confusion, go to our previous post » How Old Is Jung Ji-Hoon? HERE.
Well fans, we can’t be surprised. If this is indeed true, we’ve known it was coming for a good while now. Cheer up—looks like he’ll still get to complete all he has started in 2010 so that we have plenty of Rain to tide us over while he’s gone. Mega-icon or no, Ji-Hoon is not the type of man to shirk his duty to his country, and deep down inside we all know that about him or we wouldn’t be Clouds. So let’s rally behind Rain. Let him know how proud we are that his honor system isn’t just for show.
— Stephe ^@@^ 3:58 am EST
[*ETA 5/30: Terri brought up a good point after we posted this, Clouds—the shiny trail sliding down the left side of Rain’s face could be sweat instead of a tear. LOL! But I don’t know about that. After all his exertion, I just don’t see one lone, perfectly formed sweat trail coming down a completely dry face that isn’t even sheeny. It is possible, though.
We prefer the more humanizing quality that a tear, shed at the thought of leaving his fans, comeback stage, and debut memories, gives Rain. That’s our story, and we’re sticking to it. ]
As were we. Hugs, Ji-Hoon. Goodbye, M!Countdown. — Stephe ^@@^ 2:37 am EST
(source blogs: rain diary / jung ji hoon / happy rain)
News source Asia Economy reported on the 28th (Seoul time) that Rain has been invited to attend the 2010 MTV Movie Awards on June 6th, and that he has accepted the invitation. As we understand it, J.Tune Entertainment stated today, “Rain has been invited from the head office of America’s biggest music channel MTV, so he’ll leave for LA on June 3rd in order to attend 2010 MTV Movie Awards.”
The MTV Movie Awards are in their 19th year, and are a compilation of fun and unusual accolades which have been voted on by many mainstream viewers. (And that is what makes the award important—the Golden Popcorn statuette does represent what currently has the attention of young America, and also their parents.)
Rain’s portrayal of “Raizo” in the 2009 Warner Bros. movie NINJA ASSASSIN is what snagged him his nomination out of a page full of other hopefuls in the Biggest Badass Star category. Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and others didn’t make the cut for the Final Five…
The awards ceremony will take place at the » Gibson Amphitheater.
(Thanks to rain bird and Rain Europe for this timely information!)
Gibson Amphitheater is located in Universal City, California, an unincorporated suburb right outside of Los Angeles. The word on the street is Rain will be in the States for several days before and after the event, and if that is so, we imagine he will use that time wisely to reconnect with previous contacts, see his American representation, et cetera. Get your umbrellas ready, California Clouds—it might be Raining on you really soon. Start planning ahead, Clouds across the nation—Rain should not set foot in L.A. without a host of us there, along with our Cali sisters, to welcome him. Let’s show him how much we care!
— Stephe ^@@^
… and this is what you get. An awfully cute dance video by a talented Rain fan. Nice job! (That goes for you and your Crew, zero.) We’re glad you shared this. — Stephe ^@@^
Hip Song, with a little bit of Rainism tagged on. (credit: zero206 @YT)
I haven’t made up my mind about this, Clouds… and I wanted to know what you all think before I do.
I’ve put a new MixPod in our WebBlog sidebar, so that you have automatic music the same way you do on the fan site. I prefer having it automatic, and you can pause it if you’re not in the mood for music the day you visit, and you can also pick and choose what you want to play from the drop-down playlist (look for the + plus sign)… but I also realize that not everyone is like me. So I’m asking the question here and around the Cloud USA community:
Do you prefer automatic music on a website, or simply playable music? Or does it not matter to you either way?
Differing opinions are welcome. Thanks for your time, everyone.
That is all. — Stephe ^@@^
… should be outlawed. But then we wouldn’t be able to watch him anymore, would we? Eh—nevermind. 🙂 (Go on, Ji-Hoon, brush your shoulders off.) — Stephe ^@@^
°
“I”/Nan, Rain’s World Tour, Daegu. October 2007. If ever there was a reason to watch a video ALL THE WAY TO THE END… (courtesy of ling2506)
Heheh. As we understand it, a Freaky Chart is a regular feature in Asian gossip magazine I-Bite (twice monthly, Thailand) that polls its readership about all things celeb. The latest Freaky topic, in May issue #34, happened to be about coming up with the hottest, most macho, most handsome Korean chocolate ab machine you could possibly think of. And… here are the results.
1. Rain
2. Taecyeon (2PM)
3. Siwon (Super Junior)
4. Yunho (TVXQ)
5. Lee Joon (MBLAQ)
Wow, a two-fer (2 for 1). We like this Freaky Chart. Don’t we, Terri? — Stephe ^@@^
(image: I-Bite April issue #32. Thanks to Daily Kpop News for the tip.)
Probably not. 😉
This fabric poster is just pretty (or purdy, as is sometimes said in the Dirty South). Our Purplezest has recently added it to her All Things Jung Ji-Hoon Collection. Way to go, PZ! We know you’ll enjoy your latest acquisition to the fullest. (Surely that » awesome Madison Square Garden concert poster on your wall is a collector’s item, what with him being billed as (Bi) Ji-Hoon instead of (Bi) Rain! Wow. I would never get rid of that.)
Pssst… don’t forget to pack your lovely new fabric poster when you come to visit us in the States. We don’t have any designs on it or ulterior motives or anything, you know, we’d just like to see it up close and all, chingu… (ahem)
— Stephe ^@@^
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[Cloud USA 5/27/2010] Following in 2PM’s wake, Rain bid Mnet’s M!Countdown a fond farewell today, after almost two months of exciting Back To The Basic comeback performances on the show.
His casual buttoned-down look for his final Love Song staging gave an entirely different air to the occasion, as did the poignant smile for the audience that he added onto the end of the number. And then it was time to finish up with a final Hip Song in informal black-on-black, and with a heartfelt “thank you.”
All in all, it was a really nice goodbye that reflected Rain’s appreciation for his fans’ support in studio and out there in TVLand.
Rain’s final broadcast on KBS’s Music Bank is set for Friday. His last B2TB performance for MBC’s Music Core will be on Saturday. And though it does feel like it is time, and though Rain does have an amazingly full schedule going into this summer (the ZEPP Love Tour, filming Runaway/Fugitive for the fall, perfecting the new album that’s expected around October, not to mention all of the commercial shoots, public appearances, and projects we don’t even know about yet), we’re not ready to say goodbye to his comeback. But we will, because the Jung Ji-Hoon train is leaving the station for a new destination and the man has got to move on in the fulfilling of his destiny.
by Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com
http://www.cloudusa.org
Love Song, M!Countdown final. (courtesy of BigBangSHINeeWorldKR)
Hip Song, M!Countdown final. (courtesy of BigBangSHINeeWorldKR)
°
(images: rain-cloud)
* Our It’s Hot In Here page has been refreshed. In a manner of speaking. (Someone please turn on the A/C.)
* Our » Favorite Pics page over on our Cloud USA Fan Site has been refreshed as well. My word! (Someone PLEASE turn on the A/C!)
* Our first Cloud USA Fan Cam Concert is up! Just go » HERE, to our IN CONCERT: Legend of Rainism Yoyogi spot, and have fun. The permanent link is to your right in our sidebar under PAGES.
* REMINDER: A few fans have moseyed over to our Soaking Wet: Fan Introductions page to say hello. Yay! *Stephe and Terri giggle happily at that* Go join them. Give us a good ol’ Southern “hey!” 🙂
— ^@@^
… will be released to consumers on June 23 by Tokuma Japan Communications, and has SIX tracks on it: the five tracks we are already familiar with, plus a Japanese version of Hip Song. This special edition can be preordered from » cdJapan and from » YesAsia, in yen and US dollars.
CD
01 君を掴む歌
02 Hip Song
03 One
04 同じ(Same)
05 Love Song(English Ver.)
06 Hip Song(Japanese Ver.)DVD
01 君を掴む歌PV+PV MAKING
— Stephe ^@@^
(images: Memo Rain)
[Speculation] Will he be at Usher’s concert in Seoul?
•May 30, 2010 • 6 Comments(image credit as tagged / source: One Asian World)
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Posted in Bi Rain, Cloud USA, Jung Ji Hoon
Tags: Bi Rain Love Tour 2010, Cloud commentary, Jung Ji Hoon, Rain Back To The Basic, rain bi, Rain ZEPP Tour Japan 2010