Rain on Win Win, English subbed (continuation).

•April 28, 2010 • 9 Comments

Becky (a.k.a. LoveStoryRain) has come through for us yet again, Clouds.  Let us all send her a collective “Thank you!”  Here is Part 5 of Seung Seung Jang Goo, nicely subbed.  » Our previous post containing Parts 1-4 is HERE.  — Stephe ^@@^

Source: cashewmania
Korean to Chinese: EunHye @withRain @ http://cloud-taiwan.net
Chinese to English: huhuhuhu @ RainHK, Cuckoo@NY
Timer,Typsetter, Uploader: RainBunnie @ YT
QC-er: cuckoo aka (nycuckoo @ rainlegend)

DO NOT RE-UP ON YOUR OWN YT Channel, as this took hours of Becky’s voluntary time.  But please do share on other forums, with proper credit.  Thanks!

Win Win, part 5 of 7. (Parts 6 & 7 are in progress.)

Rain on KBS’s Cool FM Radio.

•April 28, 2010 • Leave a Comment

Late April 2010.  Enjoy, Clouds!  — Stephe ^@@^

(courtesy of ratoka @YT / brief translation by rain bird @Rain-eu.)

3:04~3:24
MC : The best present has arrived here. Rain, his name says it all. There is no need to apply any epithet to him. He is here. Nice to meet you, Rain.

3:24~33
Rain : Hi, KBS FM radio Family. Long time no see. This is singer Rain.

3:40~4:26
MC : On the occasion of the 8th anniversary of your debut, you’ve first been on our radio today. I know you debuted on April 28th, 2002. Congrats on your 8th anniversary of your debut. So yeah, there seems to be close ties between you and me.

Rain : I guess you are right. When I’m free, I’ll drop by your studio.

4:29~6:25
MC : The response to your ‘Love Song’ has been fantastic.

Rain : Contrary to my former song ‘The Way To Avoid The Sun’, this song is a Korean style ballad with soft melody and moderate choreography.  I wanted to show my moderate choreography without losing my performance to meet your expectations through this song, while ‘Hip Song’ is composed with combinations of many performances.

6:27~7:24
MC: In your ‘Love Story’ music video, you captured the netizens with your tantalizingly fine acting and performance.

Rain : My whole thing that wasn’t shown in the MV when performing will be shown during my concert.

7:27~8:33
MC : Many of leading names such as singer ‘Lee Hyo-Ri’, even ‘Park Myung-Soo’ who is a gagman, idol groups including 2PM, etc. have entered into competition for the top position soon after your comeback to the musical stage.

Rain : In particular, I think such a singer like ‘Lee Hyo-Ri’ or me should get away from the conflicting design of old and new, and should be dedicated to work on a broader stage beyond the limited opportunity. So I try to enjoy working with the idol groups, without any competition. When ‘Park Myung-Soo’ announced that he would compete me with good intent from the side, I was less hurt than surprised, and it bothers me that there is a rivalry between him and me. So I’ve been very bothered by his challenge. (they burst into laughter)

14:59~15:40
MC : I heard the phrase, “you’ll be landed on the island sometime, even though the waves are constantly crashing in” was engraved in your mind before your debut.

Rain : I had thought “Someday I’ll be rewarded if I work off steam.” even though the future looked bleak for me at that time.

15:55~21:02
MC : MBLAQ produced by you said, “On holidays, when we sent our belated text greetings to Rain, he looked angry and crumpled up a 50000 won bill [around $44. US, comparative to our $50. bill… Stephe ^@@^] several times and then unfolded it.” They thought, “Since we did send him a belated text message to say hello, he seemed to become upset, but nobody knew why he crumpled up and unfolded it.”

Rain : I think they missed the point. Actually, it was all the same to me whether they sent the text message or not. The long and short of what I have to say is this. As the leopard can’t change his spots, someday their talent will be known to the world if they work hard.

21:19~21:28
MC : Don’t you like some sort of milk with the mixture of strawberries?

Rain : I’m not particularly fond of it. I used to like chocolate milk, but now I like such milk not to get mixed up with something else. [plain milk ^@@^]

21:30~23:12
MC : They say you are often seen to run around with men throughout Sinsa-dong after 10 at night.  [As in male FRIENDS, folks.  Stephe ^@@^]

Rain : I also want to [date and have a girlfriend], but there aren’t many women around me, and we’re just good friends even though such women work with me, therefore, hanging around with my male friends makes me feel better.

MC : I think you should look for your Miss Right in Hollywood.

Rain : I’ve visited the world and seen many things, but I think every single woman in the world including Korean is so beautiful.

23:12~23:27
MC : What do you do usually when you meet your male friends?

Rain : We usually find fault with those who skip the meeting. (laughter)

I feel ill at ease when I step out, so I want to place a bug [hidden mic] in the place. (laughter)

23:28~23:43
MC : I heard your dream is to become a good father.

Rain : Yes, when I’m my mid-thirties or my late thirties, I may get married.

I’ve longed to find somebody who understands my work, and I hope my future wife and I can be best friends for everlasting and can enjoy life together.

28:46~29:03
MC : Please make the shape of a heart with your hands.

Rain : (After doing so) I don’t seem to act my age. However, at age 29, I’m still 19 at heart. I’m sorry.

29:09~29:19
MC : What’s MBLAQ like to you?

Rain : I’ll be with them like my own brothers, and try to always take care of them.

29:20~29:54
MC: Do you try some airline cuisines on the plane?

Rain : Sometimes I don’t eat the foods that are not to my taste. In the case, Soon after getting off the plane, I get something to eat at a restaurant. I sometimes carry a food bag right on the airplane when I travel, when I’m dieting.

30:13~3:27
MC: Please hold my hand.

Rain : Your hand is so soft.

MC: Your hand is so warm.

30:30~31:11
MC : Could you be on this show as a regular? This recording can take place at your house if you are too busy.

Rain : I’ll think about it. If so, I think I’ll try to do grilling on my outdoor barbecue, but I’m very good at lying [on the radio when no one can see what I’m doing]. (laughter)

31:16~31:43
MC : “Try as somebody may, he or she can not succeed.” What do you think of this?

Rain : Whether he or she will succeed or not depends entirely on his or her efforts, but if you continue trying, you are bound to find the answer, and every effort you make will be rewarded. If you only focus on one thing, you’ll have great success in your field.

31:50~38:35
MC : Like you said in a press conference, your success outnumbers your failure by a proportion of 7 to 3.

Rain : My failure is mainly due to my negligence. During Ninja Assassin, it was too hard to be trained, so I was thinking of quitting that shoot, and I even wished my plane to crash. Since I get easily tired and the function of my liver is poor after working hard, I’ve recently taken nutritional supplements recommended by JYP who loses sleep. Anyway, I tried not to lose my identity at that time. On the other hand, what I’ve gained my fans and what I’ve had an opportunity to crack the overseas market are becoming a significant part of my success.

34:33~35:08
MC : What pleased you most recently?

Rain : I was most happy when many lucrative advertising deals were offered.

I hope I’ll make more money than MBLAQ by featuring in advertisements, but I meant it for a joke. (When asked about that)

35:11~35:50
MC: You look cute because your eyes are swollen.

Rain : My eyes have [always] been swollen. They say my swollen eyes are charming.

36:04~36:07
Rain: It doesn’t matter whether my future wife is 10 years senior to me or 10 years younger than me.

36:15~36:53
MC : What do you usually do on the plane?

Rain : I sometimes sign autographs for stewardesses when each of them leaves a piece of paper on my desk. But first of all, I can hang up my cellphone, I can relax, I can watch movies, and I can be lost in deep thought.

36:57~37:30
MC: What is your life-time goal?

Ran : My final goal is to become a good father, and I want to live happily with my family.

37:43~37:47
MC : But some of your fans hope you to remain unmarried all your life.

Rain : No, it’s impossible. It can’t be.

38:17
MC : Thank you for being on the show.

Rain : I enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks for having me.

Happy 8th Anniversary, Ji-Hoon. (#3)

•April 27, 2010 • Leave a Comment

Nappeun Namja / Bad Guy, April 2002 Music Tank.  Courtesy of HeavenlyHeart87.

°

A few years later… Bad Guy remix, with a little Tone Loc at the end.  Wild Thang!  Courtesy of ddongha.

°

And even later… Bad Guy tango-style, at the Tokyo Dome (Rain’s Coming Tour).  Courtesy of RAINsaranghae.

^@@^

[fan made] Up In The Club.

•April 27, 2010 • Leave a Comment

Rain’s song “Up In The Club” reset to the “It’s Raining” MV.  Very nicely done.  ^@@^

(courtesy of MrsClayChoi, a.k.a. markita01 @RainLegend)

Rain on 10th SBS Hope TV.

•April 27, 2010 • 3 Comments

Recently Jin Ji-Hee, the child actress who played “Harry” on the Korean sitcom “High Kick Through The Roof”, participated in a fund-raiser for the building of a sanitarium for sufferers of Lou Gehrig’s disease.  Rain met Ji-Hee and brought a donation for the cause.  The cute little girl was quite smitten with our Ji-Hoon; as we understand it, her sitcom character had vowed to marry Rain one day.  Awww!  Enjoy this SBS entertainment report, Clouds. 🙂  —  Stephe ^@@^

(source: Nate / courtesy of ratoka @YT / brief translation by rain bird @Rain-eu.)

0:01~0:06
Jin Ji-Hee: Rain is coming? Bi oppa (Rain) is really coming? Finally I’ve come to meet Rain.

– Harry (‘Jin Ji-Hee’ ) meets Rain –

(Harry is the character’s name in sitcom ‘Do High Kicks After Boring A Hole In The Roof’)

0:16
This fundraiser, ‘The 10th SBS Hope TV’, has started to help fund a project to help the center build a special sanitarium for the victims of Lou Gehrig’s disease.

0:32
Rain : Hello.
(She hears the voice of Rain.)

0:34
(Finally she’s come to meet Rain who is a man of her dreams.)

0:41
(Once she saw Rain’s face, she couldn’t say anything and was being very embarrassed.)

0:44
Jin Ji-Hee: I’ve missed you Oppa (Rain) very much.

Rain: Thanks a lot.

0:47
Jin Ji-Hee: Did you happen to see my sitcom? (to Rain) (Rain answered, “Yes, of course”)
In the sitcom, I said, “I’m going to make you my husband.”

0:56
Jin Ji-Hee: Hi, Mister Psy (or Psy Samchoon) (who is a singer sitting next to Rain)

(When she was respectful towards Psy, ending sentence with Mister (Samchoon or uncle) even though he is a little older than Rain, everyone burst into laughter)

1:01
Rain: I think the main thing is to pay attention to those who need.

1:14
Director: (I guess you have something to ask Rain to do) This is the last opportunity for you to ask Rain to do.

1:18
Jin Ji-Hee : Please hold me tight in your arms.

1:56
Rain: I hope you to remember that your small support will give them big encouragement. (so participate hard)

‘Hope TV’, fighting! (together)

Rain Check: Strong Heart.

•April 27, 2010 • Leave a Comment

Asian news source Prime Economy is reporting that during the prerecording of SBS TV’s Strong Heart, actress Lee Chae-Young said that being in Rain’s “I Do” video back in the day opened many doors for her, and helped her transition successfully into dramas.  To thank Rain for his help, she gifted him with exercise equipment especially for abdominals, which really pleased him as he was a fitness buff.

It is also being reported that the upcoming (and highly anticipated Rain pants-ripping) episode of Strong Heart was to be televised today (yesterday, Asia time), but was canceled because of the continued period of mourning for those lost in the Cheonan naval tragedy.

(Thanks to rain bird and Rain Europe for this information.)

°

KPop Today 4/19/2010 — It’s been seen through its decline in ratings that SBS Strong Heart is losing its popularity these days. Since people are criticizing different aspects of the show, the show is thinking about making some changes.  The show regularly stars 18-20 stars each episode. People have been saying that that is just too many guests a show can handle.

Bang Sang Hyuk PD said, “We’re thinking about lowering the number of guests. We want to try out a new format.” ….

» You can read this brief post Strong Heart To Shake Things Up in its entirety on KPop Today HERE.

°

Ahhhh.  So now we have at least one person to thank every time we set eyes on Rain’s golden abs.  Perhaps his appearance on Strong Heart will have a positive effect on their ratings—one can only hope.  Though I agree with the “too many stars on one show” opinion some of the public has, Ho-Dong is one of my favorite hosts of all time and I’d hate to see Strong Heart go down the tubes.  — Stephe ^@@^

More of The Man We Love.

•April 27, 2010 • 1 Comment

Fresh scans from inside Cosmopolitan May 2010.  ^@@^

(credit: Benamoo + goo blogs / from ratoka @rainHK)

Be on the lookout for Rain and the WPhone.

•April 27, 2010 • Leave a Comment

Some weeks ago, the news broke that Rain had signed a contract with SK Telesys to endorse their new WPhone.  » You can see our previous post on the subject HERE.  Asian source Newsis is now reporting that preparation for the new campaign is in its final stages, which means we might be seeing a CF with Rain as a spokes model in early May.

(Thanks to rain bird and Rain Europe for this information.)

— Stephe ^@@^

Open and vulnerable.

•April 27, 2010 • Leave a Comment

That is what the eyelashes do for his character’s exquisite face—they make it and him so very vulnerable-looking.  And Rain knew that.   He was banking on it.  Pretty smart.  ^@@^

Rain outside at his Music Bank recording.

•April 27, 2010 • Leave a Comment

April 2010.  And could this possibly be his “eternal” cameraman?  A few years ago, while filming a Nikon CF in the mountains in Japan, Rain was doing a self-cam for RAINY DAY Season 1 and was shooting the guy and teasing him.  “This is my eternal cameraman.  I don’t know his name.  I’ve no idea what he does.”  LOL!  If this is indeed you, EC, we cannot thank you enough for all of the great RAINY DAY footage you have provided over the years, but we’ll try.  Thanks so much!  — Stephe ^@@^

(credit: Baidu / courtesy of ratoka)

[Cloud USA] Happy Birthday, Terri!

•April 26, 2010 • 19 Comments

Clouds, Rain clouds, and fans:

Please join me in wishing co-founder Terri a very Happy Birthday today.  I’m sure she’s thinking I didn’t remember it before we spoke this afternoon, but she’s wrong.  How could I forget one of the most important days of her life? 🙂

Altogether now, everybody sing along with Epik High (Rain featured Tablo on the “I’m Coming” track, remember?)… “Happy, happy birthday—”  Stephe ^@@^

Rain’s Entertainment Weekly interview, now English subbed.

•April 26, 2010 • 1 Comment

[ *ETA: By the way, in my opinion, Rain’s “effeminate” remark had nothing to do with becoming gay or seeming womanish.  I think it had everything to do with remaining an honorable man in terms of responsibility, thus a good example for a son.  What he doesn’t want to do (in 10 years) is anything that would make him less honorable as a responsible Korean male in the eyes of his family, friends, and fans.]

From KBS 2, back on the 17th.  Amazing Clouds across the Rain Blog-o-sphere are truly working overtime!  Please, enjoy! — Stephe ^@@^

Credit: itsrainismworld @ youtube
DL: http://www.its-rainism-world.blogspot.com

Rain on Win Win, English subbed.

•April 26, 2010 • 5 Comments

As you recall, an extensive written English translation for the first three videos of the Seung Seung Jang Goo (Win Win) show was graciously provided (» see our previous Win Win post HERE).   The continuation of that translation has been done… but I’ve also discovered that a wonderful US Cloud named Becky has assisted in the actual subbing of the videos and has made them available to all of us.  Halleluia!  Becky (a.k.a. LoveStoryRain), we cannot thank you enough for this. ♥

Clouds, enjoy.  — Stephe ^@@^

°

Source: cashewmania
Korean to Chinese: EunHye @withRain @ http://cloud-taiwan.net
Chinese to English: huhuhuhu @ RainHK, Cuckoo@NY
Timer,Typsetter, Uploader: RainBunnie @ YT
QC-er: cuckoo aka (nycuckoo @ rainlegend)

DO NOT RE-UP ON YOUR OWN YT Channel, as this took hours of Becky’s voluntary time.  But please do share on other forums, with proper credit.  Thanks!

Win Win, parts 1-4 of 7. (Parts 5-7 are in progress.)

(NOTE:  You can find Part 5 English-subbed HERE.)

More wedded bliss.

•April 26, 2010 • 2 Comments

An abundance of happiness at Mr.  and Mrs. Gu’s wedding.  (As we understand it… Mr. Gu is Rain’s former manager and the present director of J.Tune Camp; Miss Choi is Rain’s longtime hair stylist.)  Rain was all handsome elegance, as usual.   (Goodness, he certainly wears a suit well!)  Is that Kim Tae-Woo?! *scream* (oops, sorry Ji-Hoon)  And it looks like MBLAQ was in da house.  ^@@^

(images from ratoka @rain HK)

Could Ninja Assassin’s total gross amount be roughly $90 Mil?

•April 26, 2010 • 2 Comments

KBS World 4/23/2010 — Rain’s first lead role in a Hollywood movie was of course the action-flick “Ninja Assassin”. It was recently reported that it was the 10th most rented DVD in the U.S., according to an American DVD sales and rentals chart named Rentrak….The global box office sales totaled $61,590,252. Industry sources say that if that amount were to also take in the international DVD sales, the total gross amount would roughly be $90 million.

» You can read the entire article 500,000 Ninja Assassin DVDs Sold Within Four Weeks at KBS World HERE.

“Raizo” is still riding the wave of success.  Congrats to our Ji-Hoon… he worked SO hard for this. 🙂  — Stephe ^@@^

Rains wins second Music Bank KChart.

•April 26, 2010 • 1 Comment

Allkpop 4/26/2010 — Having lost M! Countdown to Lee Hyori last week, there was no repeat of another loss on Music Bank as it was announced that Rain had won last week’s K-Chart against the very same opponent….

» You can read the entire Rain Wins His Second Music Bank K-Chart with Love Song at allkpop HERE.

Remember, Clouds, that although Rain’s first Music Bank comeback stage didn’t broadcast because of the show’s cancellation (due to the Cheonan naval tragedy), the K-Chart that week » was still tabulated and he came out on top.  And so, Rain has repeated his first week win with a total of 14,475.  — Stephe ^@@^

The man we love.

•April 26, 2010 • 4 Comments

Cosmopolitian May 2010.  (1st image: from memo rain blog / 2nd image credit: sizuku219)

In the red.

•April 26, 2010 • 1 Comment

Legend of Rainism Yoyogi, Encore.  Hip Song & Sad Tango.  (credit: goo blogs, Japan / tip: ratoka @rainHK)

He’s so darned good at being adorable.

•April 25, 2010 • 2 Comments

Rain on the upcoming Strong Heart show.  (caps credit: ratoka @rainHK) ^@@^

Rain attends former manager’s wedding.

•April 25, 2010 • 1 Comment

Rain did indeed make it to his former manager’s wedding ( » see our earlier post on Mr. Gu Tae-Won HERE), and from the looks of things, it was a quite a merry occasion.  Of course, he had fun “torturing” the bride and groom with the song “I Do,” where newlyweds have to kiss over and over and OVER again until Rain is satisfied with their cooperation—haha. 

Here is a very quick, random moment during that day.  We are delighted by how Rain looks rested and happy to be there. 🙂  — Stephe ^@@^

(image credit: DC Rain Gallery / video credit: nate / courtesy of ratoka @YT)

Rain speaks his mind with Jae-Dong.

•April 25, 2010 • Leave a Comment

An article by Nocut News revealed that Rain was comfortable enough to speak quite intimately to friend Kim Jae-Dong and the studio audience the day of Kim’s show’s recording.  (The audience consisted of 120 fans recruited through the Kim Je-Dong Show’s official Twitter.)

Rain expressed that Kim’s show format is a winner, and how he hoped it would last for many years.  He also spoke about his late mother, how it still broke his heart to remember her, but that one day he hoped to ease that guilt by becoming a parent himself.  He made no bones about his irritation over KBS’s banning of his Love Song MV, but was glad to meet Kim Hyung-Seok on the set, who was JYP’s teacher and Rain’s college professor.  “Kim Hyung-Seok is a grandfather to me.”

The Kim show recording began at 10PM and ended after midnight.  It will be aired on May 6th.

(Many thanks to rain bird and Rain Europe for this information.)  — Stephe ^@@^

Rain shares a song with MBLAQ.

•April 25, 2010 • Leave a Comment

At the recording of Kim Jae-Dong’s Mnet show recently, Rain revealed that the title track of MBLAQ’s upcoming album was actually to have been the title track of special album Back To The Basic, but that the song fit their comeback theme much better.  (That is the mark of a good producer—always thinking ahead and outside of the box.)  As we understand it, MBLAQ’s new album will drop the second week in May.  Is everyone ready?

Here is a clip from that part of the recording, with Rain talking about his young protégés.

(courtesy of ratoka @YT / brief translation by rain bird @Rain-eu.)

Rain: Although MBLAQ are new singers, they’ve become one of Korea’s best-loved idol groups and have worked hard. They’ll begin working as singers with their new album at the beginning of May.

There is a song selected as the title track for their new album, but which was to become the title track for my special album, but I was willing to offer the song to them. It looks good for their comeback that much.

What I want them to do is that they never give up no matter how difficult it is, and that they never get hurt, with or without their success. So I hope they’ll also [develop the same ]strong will power I’ve thankfully had after all the obstacles that life presents me.

— Stephe ^@@^

 

Rain shares his bout with depression.

•April 25, 2010 • Leave a Comment

StarEastAsiaEntertainmentNews 4/24/2010 — Korean pop star Rain shared his previous depression story on a TV show recently, talking about feeling lonely and entertaining thoughts about death.  “I was so depressed and lonely that I had an extreme thought. I was flying one day and I wished the plane [would just crash]. At least people would remember me as someone who was trying his best,” Rain confessed.

However, something stopped the singer/actor/entrepreneur from ending his life – marriage. “I just couldn’t die before [marrying and having children]!”

“I always thought I was a strong person, but the depression that came over me at that time was just too much,” he revealed….

(original sources: Newsen / K-Popped!)

» You can read the article in its entirety on StarEastAsiaEntertainmentNews HERE.

This was on KBS2 TV’s Win Win show.  Rain isn’t alone by a long shot.  We’ve all been there, haven’t we, Clouds?  It certainly isn’t easy.  Thank heavens we and Rain eventually saw light and came out of the other side of our dark tunnels.  Life is too precious for any one of us to leave the others. 

Rain, keep fighting!— Stephe ^@@^

This is Hip Song, rock tonight…!

•April 25, 2010 • 2 Comments

LoR Yoyogi, Encore.  Did he really do a split in these jeans? Wow.  😀  ^@@^  (credit: happyrainm / goo blogs)

A Cloud’s love runs very deep.

•April 25, 2010 • 3 Comments

As the YouTube commenters said… this is a fantastic, beautifully assembled piece by a Japanese Cloud on her belief in Rain.  Keep smiling and chasing your dreams, Ji-Hoon.  ^@@^

(courtesy of ranmaru0625)

RAINY DAY Season 2, episode 12.

•April 25, 2010 • Leave a Comment

Asia broadcast 4/24.  Oh-em-geeeee, Clouds—this one is SUCH A TREAT.  The show has zoomed forward to the present, April 2010, and is giving us behind the scenes access to Rain’s second comeback stage.  Holy moly.  Can you just imagine sitting in this audience and getting to watch him do Love Song multiple times?  Could you stand the excitement?  Unexpected glitches (like his hat unexpectedly flopping up and down on his head, or sound problems, etc.) were like godsends to the fans, because that meant they were going to get yet another taste of Rain’s magnificent voice.  Enjoy this week’s episode!  — Stephe ^@@^

(courtesy of ratoka7 @YT)

Seriously, fans? Can’t we all just get along?

•April 24, 2010 • 3 Comments

WATCH MOVIES 4/24/2010 —A month before the 2010 Dream Concert is to be held on May 22, tensions are already rising.  At the Dream Concert, many popular artists come to the same venue and perform, making it unique. Since it only comes once a year, this is seen as an opportunity for fans to give their favorite singers strength, becoming one. On April 22, tickets went on sale at 7PM and were sold out within one hour, as a result of fans who wanted to go support their favorite singers.

Instead, problems are arising with the division of seats….

» You can read 2010 Dream Concert Encounters Problems on the Watch Movies Blog HERE.

Rain’s fans only have one section… hmm.  Still, the way all of the different fan groups are squabbling reminds me of children in a sandbox.  The division of seats doesn’t seem fair, actually.  But if fights do break out over this, amongst adults… how embarrassing.

What do you all think?  — Stephe ^@@^

Happy 8th Anniversary, Ji-Hoon. (#2)

•April 24, 2010 • 2 Comments

Our guy as JYP’s back-up dancer, rehearsing for the boss’ KBS Korean Pop Award performance in 2001.  And yet… this fan cammer had eyes only for our Ji-Hoon, which proves she had great taste.  Rain stood out on a stage full of guys even back then, didn’t he?  Wow—this footage is such a treasure.  Do you think this lady had any idea who he would become?  That she was recording a future mega-icon?  — Stephe ^@@^

(courtesy of Marjorie319)

Happy 8th Anniversary, Ji-Hoon. (#1)

•April 24, 2010 • 2 Comments

Our guy back before his debut as a singer, in June 2001, being introduced as a principle dancer and as Bi (see the “Bi” graphics with his vitals across the screen?).  So cute, how the female host ends with, “And his name… is Rain.”  A most precious video.  We’re still amazed at how he managed to move his body like this.  — Stephe ^@@^

(courtesy of silverstyle)

Good news, and it’s about TIME!

•April 24, 2010 • 5 Comments

Clouds, Rain clouds, and fans:

Be encouraged! 🙂 The 2010 TIME 100 Poll voting has been extended until the 29th. And Rain has moved up to the #4 position!  The following is directly from the site:

Cast your votes for the leaders, artists, innovators and icons who you think are the most influential people in the world. Though official voting for inclusion on the TIME 100 list has now closed, with Mir-Hossein Mousavi having won the honor, users can continue to vote for their favorites until the list is revealed on Thursday, April 29th.

With our continued support of Rain (TIME Poll voting and TIME 100 issue letter campaign), just how instrumental he has been in shaping our world since his debut will become more apparent.  Are you all excited?  We most certainly are.

» Rain’s 2010 TIME Poll voting page is HERE.

» Our original post on the TIME Poll voting is HERE.

» TIME Poll voting information and TIME 100 letter campaign information on our Projects page is HERE.

Thanks for your continued efforts.  Everyone, aja fighting!  — Stephe ^@@^

Sexy back.

•April 24, 2010 • Leave a Comment

He definitely has one of those. ^@@^  (credit: goo blogs / tip: RainLegend)

[Cloud USA] We’re growing, because of you.

•April 23, 2010 • 1 Comment

Clouds, Rain clouds, and fans:

Every time we take note of the stats over on our home pages, media sites, and here, we are pleasantly surprised.  Our community is steadily growing, and it’s all because of you and your love for Rain.  Not only is the US well represented (Virginia, Texas, Washington, New York, Hawai’i, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Michigan, to name a few), international Rain fans are onboard too (Philippines, Indonesia, China, Australia, Canada, the U.K., France, and Egypt, as well as others).  After three months, we are at 20,000 Blog homepage views and climbing.  When you have a moment, introduce yourselves over on our Soaking Wet page so that other Rain fans can see you, too! 🙂 

It was really a surprise to discover that the editors at » Diromo.com had added us » to their Bi/Rain TopList page.  (See our TopList vote button in our sidebar, to your right, and please support us. Only one vote allowed per person each day.)

We’ve said all of this to say… thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for spending part of your day with us, for inspiring us, and for showing Rain such support.  We also thank the ladies at RainListings, RainLegend, Rain Europe, and Rain Destiny Peru for embracing us so warmly and helping us get our bearings.  We look forward to the time when we all meet, share experiences, and have a good meal together.  Hopefully our Ji-Hoon will be there to share that meal with us.  Aja fighting!

Stephe ^@@^ and Terri :-}

Give us a wink.

•April 23, 2010 • Leave a Comment

[fan cam] The mystery of the Red Bling.

•April 23, 2010 • 6 Comments

“I do hope he does a red version, or red and black… it would be pure smex…”  Cloud USA Forum member Katie (U.K.) said this on the WebBlog not a day ago.  Looks like you’re going to get your wish, my dear. 🙂

(credit: DC Rain Gallery / courtesy of ratoka @YT)

But then, after getting past my initial glee at seeing the Red Bling, I noticed how sick Rain looked and sounded.  And I thought, when was this, exactly?  Panic.

Check this out, from the sixtofive1982 news & media blog… fan updates shared by Cloud Scorpiola:

Clouds, I’ve just read some updates about Rain. He went to KBS for pre-recording Music Bank for his next week’s comeback stage. He used to sing 2 songs but at the end he decided to record one song only (Love Song). As per some Korean Clouds said, his condition seemed better than yesterday but still not pretty good. It seems like he got flu. He got a stuffed nose and chills. His outfit for Love Song was in red color and [he] recorded Love Song for 4 times. Although he didn’t feel well, but he did communicate with Clouds who attended the recording a lot and kept smiling.

OK, one more update.

Few clouds met him today and running with him under rain (It’s raining in Seoul today). They were about a foot apart from him and he seemed fine. His condition wasn’t that bad as we heard, just his face seemed wan. They said it briefly, so I didn’t know if it happened before or after the recording.

~~by Scorpiola@RainHK (as posted in the TIME voting page)

The fan cams and accounts are supposedly from a Music Bank pre-recording on April 23 (yesterday, Seoul time) for next week.  So this was AFTER Rain’s M!Countdown collapse and emergency treatment?  He’s running around sick right now?  Seriously?  I’m… speechless.  I’m pissed.  😡  Oh-em-gee.  😯

— Stephe ^@@^

Rain to sing at former manager’s wedding?

•April 23, 2010 • 2 Comments

Asian source Kukki News is reporting that Rain will be singing at his former manager Gu Tae-Won’s wedding on April 25th at 2 PM, at Apgujung-dong’s Convention Wedding Hall.  Rain and Mr. Gu have been close since Rain’s debut (JYP Entertainment), and Mr. Gu’s bride-to-be, Choi Seon-Ah, has worked with Rain for a long time as his hairdresser.

In a phone call to Kukki News on the 22nd, Mr. Gu, who is now J.Tune Camp’s director, is quoted as saying, “Although Rain was very busy at the Ninja Assassin shooting overseas, he never forgot to ask after my father who was in poor health at that time. Rain has always been very helpful to me in joy and sorrow, so I just want to express my gratitude to him.”

(Thanks to rain bird and Rain Europe for this information.)

This story broke before Rain collapsed from the flu, so plans may have changed.  We’ll have to wait and see.  Personally, I don’t want Rain to move from whatever bed he’s recovering in, hospital or home.  Do you? 😦 

— Stephe ^@@^