— Compiled and written by Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
May 31. Rain and Tan (of Ciipher) on several episodes of tvN Story’s Take Good Care of Us This Week [이번주도 잘부탁해], a cooking, eating, and talk show. The 5/31 episode also includes a section with Uee! (There may be another episode or two that I haven’t seen yet.) ^@@^
… these fun videos. Have at and enjoy!
— Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
5/11. With dancer Lee Jung. ^@@^
… just what he’s been up to these past weeks. These are our favorites of the bunch. You can see them all by visiting Rain’s personal Insta at the “rain_oppa” link in the above caption. (Yes, it’s really his and he posts everything himself!) 🙂 ^@@^
— Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
Practicing even though it’s beautiful outside. 🙂 ^@@^
Even though I’m a bit late with this because of illness, y’all, it’s still oh so sweet to the taste! Daddy Rain’s sons, Ciipher, came back last month with their third mini-album The Code. I swear, they get more adorable and hotly mature by the minute and I love the way their themes are going.
Way to go, boys!
Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
— Compiled and written by Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
You know what to do — grab a fork, mix with your favorite dressing, grab a beverage and enjoy! 🙂
April 2022. Clip. Lee Hyori and Rain share small talk and gush about their spouses on an episode of TVING’s Seoul Check-in. ^@@^ (Credit: TVING. There is an English-subbed version HERE.)
March 2022. Clip. Kstyle Magazine’s YouTube Channel posted a video message from Rain about Ciipher’s pop-up shop in the Kobe Marui Shopping Mall in Japan. Woot! ^@@^
— Compiled and written by Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Our previous video on 4/24 represented Rain’s albums and celebrated his debut anniversary as a solo singer 20 years ago on that day. This video represents his movies, TV dramas and projects as a lead actor, and celebrates his debut anniversary competing on his first TV chart show four days later (4/28). He celebrates both days as well. Jung JiHoon, award winner and man of 1000 faces! So proud of him!
Look at his resumes. Is it any wonder that Rain is one of only a handful of people who Koreans consider an actor and a singer equally (not a singer who acts, not an actor who sings)? 🙂
— Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
“Why Don’t We?” and “30 Sexy” are on the docket for this performance, at this event launched in celebration of the 40th anniversary year of the Michael Kors brand. Celebration time in Chengdu! My goodness, Rain is phenomenal here. Please enjoy!
— Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
— Written by Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Be Mbitious. Be “ambitious.” Get it? I knew you would!
So once again, the industry gets really smart and enlists Rain’s inspirational mentoring and hosting skills for this new upcoming dance show. And we can’t wait.
Be Mbitious is a prequel show that will allow male solo dancers (K-Pop idols, choreographers, world title holders, etc.) to compete for a spot on a project dance crew of the same name, and that dance crew will go on to compete against other crews in the line-up of new competition show Street Man Fighter this summer 2022. Street Man Fighter is a spin-off of the amazingly popular Street Woman Fighter show for female dance crews.
Producers of Be Mbitious were quoted as saying:
“Many of the applicants shared that they began dancing after watching Rain’s performances. As an idol of dancers, it was well-suited that [Rain] be the representative MC for the program.”
Amen to that. Idol of Dancers indeed. 🙂
Rain himself is quoted as commenting:
“I feel happy and welcome that I get to work on ‘Be Mbitious,’ which will be the start of ‘Street Man Fighter.’ I sincerely hope that this year will also be the year of dancers.”
The first episode of the show broadcasts on May 24 at 10:20 PM Korean Standard Time, on Mnet. Huge congrats to Rain for landing this plum of an MC role!
— Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
… just what he’s been up to this month. These are our favorites of the bunch. You can see them all by visiting Rain’s personal Insta at the “rain_oppa” link in the above caption. (Yes, it’s really his and he posts everything himself!) 🙂 ^@@^
— Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
This past weekend, from Times Square in New York City. Lima, Peru. Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities in Japan. And of course, South Korea. So very, very COOL.
I’ll bet you can see those abs from space. 🙂 ^@@^
— Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
Twenty years ago on this day, 20-year-old principle dancer Jung Ji-Hoon debuted in the Korean entertainment industry as solo singer 비 (Rain). And guess what? The man’s still got it. He’s never lost it, Halleluia!
— Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
— Written and compiled by Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
You know the drill. Add your favorite dressing, mix well, and enjoy!
[SOOMPI News] Watch: Rain and KTH adorably tease each other behind the scenes of their commercial (5/8/21)
[SOOMPI News] Rain reveals how much the choreo costs for his collabs with Park Jin Young and Chungha (5/2/21)
[SOOMPI News] Sunmi shares a touching story of how Rain comforted her when her father passed away during her trainee days (4/24/21) ⬇️
This happened when Rain and former Wonder Girl Sunmi were on the KBS show Come Back Home recently. You can watch the episode itself in our Come Back Home/How Do You Play? playlist on our Cloud USA YouTube channel BELOW — look for the 5 KBS World videos subbed in English! Please enjoy the KBS Entertain videos (in Korean) as well. 🙂 ^@@^
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Forbes Korea for not only putting Rain’s Power Celebrity interview on your YouTube, but also including English subtitles. OMG, you’ve no idea how much that means to his international fans!
That’s not the only reason his interview gives us life, however…
The main reason is because he was so relaxed, so charming, honest, and humble (his usual self), and it was so good. Chock full of revelations and goodness from beginning to end.
There was a moment where I dissolved into a full on K-drama cry, though… when he revealed his planned collaboration with an American artist was ruined by the pandemic. What?! Damn you, COVID!! And I want Rain to know that there are many of us who have dreamed of him performing “The Best Present” live for us and that we are still patiently waiting. If there was one song that proved he is the romantic he always claimed to be, it’s that one, where he put his career on the line for his wife. Aww! 💘💘💘 Talk about making us love him even more. And, as a Speed Racer anime aficionado and fan, I would welcome another go-around with “Taejo Togokhan” anytime. That movie was eye candy to me, bruh!
I’m not going to spoil anymore except to say there’s going to be a lot more Rain for us this year, so I hope y’all are ready. Paging Dr. Rain! Report to the O.R., stat!! hehe~
Rain was chosen for Forbes’ annual Korea Power Celebrity 40 List and graces the cover of the magazine this month. What is your favorite part of this fantastic interview?
Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
— Written and compiled by Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
When power couple Rain and Kim Tae Hee surprised everyone with their very first advertisement/endorsement together last year (for La Cloud, parent company Bodyfriend) and the campaign was absolutely adorable, we were hoping such a smart move wouldn’t end too soon. It hasn’t! Bodyfriend [바디프랜드] has just released fresh, exclusive behind the scenes footage from our favorite married couple’s latest CF filming.
That CF was released this past April 2021 (what I would give to have one of those top of the line massage chairs, woahhhh!) and is included below.
Of course, when it comes to these two, a natural fun and cuteness abounds on any set.
Please enjoy!
Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
— Written & compiled by Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Charmzone [참존] is a life wellness company that provides skincare, cosmetics, masks, healthy foods and supplements, and Rain is now endorsing their Tone Up Fit mask!
What makes it so different from all the others?
It’s thinner and weighs less for more comfortable breathing without compromising your health… doesn’t shed or peel… comes in a larger size and beautiful colors… its “beak” design lets you wear lipstick… and more. Frankly, we’d love to have some in each color and judge for ourselves.
Also, 25 masks for around $21. USD is a doggone good price (if I’m translating correctly).
The mask is getting great reviews on the company’s website — no surprise there!
Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
— Written and compiled by Stephe, managing editor ^@@^
Last fall (September 2020), Jeep Korea announced that Rain was the brand ambassador for the new Jeep Gladiator and rolled out a car campaign worthy of a king. To say we were impressed was an understatement.
Here in 2021, the partnership is still going strong and we love that.
We especially appreciate the way they gave him love and support when his latest album, Pieces by Rain, and its first release “Why Don’t We” featuring the gorgeous ChungHa, dropped back in March.
It’s been obvious for a long while now that Rain loves Jeeps (he owns them, uses them in projects, and even followed Jeep’s IG page for a time), so how appropriate is it that now he is an Honorary Ambassador for the brand? Very! You go, game changer. 🙂
Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
All Images credit: Jeep Korea FB and IG / Rain’s IG. All videos credit: Jeep Korea YouTube.
Who’s on the cover of Forbes Korea Magazine for May 2021 (Vol. 219) and who is on Forbes’ Korea Power Celebrity 40 list this year (No. 36)? Rain, of course!
Forbes’ Korea Power Celebrity 40 list is chosen annually and is the Top 40 most powerful personalities in that country in arts, music, film, sports, and television. Professional achievements, popularity, earnings, and influence (from the past year) all factor into the equation.
According to Forbes, Rain is considered the busiest singer in the music industry these days, and has slain age demographics that prove he’s still the trend. In his article interview, he talks about what’s to come after “Why Don’t We”, why he’s on YouTube, his goals as a game changer and a father, and his thoughts on K-pop globalization, among other subjects.
Way to go, king!
Stephe @ cloudusa.blog ^@@^
Can y’all believe it? Yet another year of unstoppable deluge.
Happy 19th career debut anniversary, Rain!
Huge thanks to the official Cloud Cafe for presenting celebratory gifts to Rain representing us all, and to the overseas Cloud master for giving international fans the chance to give additional support. ^@@^
— written and compiled by Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Many Rain fans (especially his “Mischiefs”, subscribers to his Season B Season YouTube channel) wanted a collab between our Magic Feet and his longtime mentor. Rain himself and JYP were both feeling it as well, and so the two legends made it happen! Rain’s duet with Park Jin Young, called “Switch To Me”, dropped on December 31, 2020 at 6 P.M. Korea time and became an immediate chart-topper. Of course, we Clouds were thrilled, not to mention we have a new Rain song to play until the wheels fall off. 🙂
In this post are official “Switch To Me” music videos, one of several live performances, cover and image from Cosmopolitan magazine, promotion on KBS AM Plaza, and the process — how this “JYB” project happened, step by step, through the lens of Rain’s newest YouTube channel.
Watching everything unfold was truly a treat. Please enjoy!
Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
~ Rain and Park Jin Young Talk About Their Upcoming Collaboration (SOOMPI News 12/17/20)
~ Rain and JYP Go Head-To-Head on “Ask Us Anything!” (SOOMPI News 12/27/20)
~ Rain and JYP Top Weekly Ranking of Most Buzzworthy (SOOMP News 1/6/21)
~ Rain’s “Switch To Me” Duet with JYP Wins On M Countdown (SOOMPI News 1/14/21)
~ NCT, Rain & JYP, Blackpink and More Top Weekly Gaon Charts (SOOMPI News 1/13/21)
Ciipher [싸이퍼], RAIN Company’s new — and first — boy band is on the horizon, y’all!
According to their IG page, they debut in March of this year. The word on the street is that date is March 15. Not sure of that, but we shall see… From the glimpses we’ve seen of them, the boys look and dance sharp. Papa Rain looks pleased as punch.
We’re behind you, boys!
Stephe @ cloudusa.blog / CloudUSA.org
~ Rain Reveals Rain Company’s First Boy Group Ciipher (SOOMPI News 12/10/20)
Ciipher Instagram
Ciipher Twitter
***EDITED TO ADD 2/4/21: Fans who missed the recruitment deadline and reached out are in luck! Recruitment for Cloud 11 has been EXTENDED to February 28.
INCLUDED IN THIS POST:
A) Signing up on Naver.com
B) Email and navigating from there
C) Signing up on the Cloud Cafe
D) Choosing your fee & completing your Cloud 11 membership application
Once again… it’s a good day to be a Cloud!
Three years and 5 months ago, 2 notable things happened in Rain’s world — 1) the Korean Cloud site that he set up and sanctioned with his management, the Cloud home that we helped turn global and many of us had known for years, moved to a new, technologically advanced home on Naver. And 2) the 9th Cloud term ended and the new 10th term began, on the new Cloud Cafe on Naver. There was a lot to do during the 10th Cloud recruitment, mainly because the new Cloud Cafe needed to be properly populated, thus all of those daily membership tasks we had, ha. But none of it was hard, and it was such an exciting time. We’ll never forget it. ❤️
Now, it’s that time again, but without the tasks. Rain Clouds are gathering! Recruitment for Rain’s official Cloud 11 is taking place from January 3 to January 31, 2021. There is also a special contest where YOU can design the new Cloud 11 membership card!
Terri and I are continuing our memberships. As long as Rain has a Cloud, we will be in his Cloud. Don’t doubt it!
Continue reading ‘[26 images][tutorial][Eng trans] From Stephe’s desk: Rain’s official Cloud 11 fan club recruitment is on!🌧️’
Terri :-} and Stephe ^@@^
There has been a huge influx of new Rain fans, and Rain has mentioned working on new music. Now is a great time to go all the way back and get folks up to speed on his albums, from 1998 to 2020!
The eighth installment of my Rain Career Music special series celebrates when Rain dropped his next Korean offering, mini album Back To The Basic, in April 2010. There was also a Japanese edition (in Japanese), and a Chinese/Taiwanese edition. We had just gone live on January 21, so Cloud USA was only 3 months old, babes in the woods during our first Rain music comeback! An exciting and tiring time indeed, as his comeback trail was KILLER, he did not and does not play! (Want proof? Go here to our old Rain on the Horizon History Page and check out April and May 2020. Whew! We were tired and overwhelmed, and poor Rain was so exhausted that he collapsed with the flu at a TV taping and scared us all half to death. Never fear, though — he rallied back strong! Pardon the mess on our homepages — we’re in the process of moving our site to a new host.) ^@@^
The album’s imagery took people by surprise. It was super-sexy (as expected), yet so different that some folks just didn’t get it. The story is, as Rain said in an interview, that while in Europe, the épicène beauty of its ancient statues and sculptures had fascinated him so much, he wanted to do his own interpretation. And indeed, if his album images were marble or plaster statues, they would absolutely resemble that art, IMHO!
And about those long eyelashes…
— Written and compiled by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
One of the reasons top Korean host and comedian Yoo JaeSuk (“the nation’s MC”) has been my favorite TV personality since 2010 is the fun, cool ideas he comes up with — like this one! The best summer project ever — a new co-ed K-Pop group made up of popular early-generation idol singers who would bring their experience and expertise to the table. Rain and Lee HyoRi (formerly of top girl group Fin.K.L.) made the cut, the icing on the cake being the three have been close friends and on TV together on and off for years.
So doggone exciting!
The group name? SSAK3, and their debut is coming up in a matter of days — July 18! This post is to briefly chronicle the group’s start back in May all the way to now, the things they’ve had to accomplish to put it all together.
Continue reading ‘[23 images][41 Eng clips] Rain’s journey as 1/3 of summer retro K-Pop group SSAK3, so far. (May – July 2020)’
There has been a huge influx of new Rain fans, and Rain has mentioned working on new music. Now is a great time to go all the way back and get folks up to speed on his albums, from 1998 to 2017!
The seventh installment of my Rain Career Music special series celebrates when Rain dropped his next Korean offering Vol. 5: Rainism in October 2008. This was his first album on his own, without JYPE. He was back on the Korean music scene after a l-o-n-g break in the USA and Germany filming Hollywood movies Speed Racer and Ninja Assassin. His Rainism comeback, fully covered by the press and in the Discovery Channel documentary series Seoul Vibes: Hip Korea (aired in late February 2009), was a huge success. Korea was thrilled to have its Magic Feet back! The album’s success lead to a gorgeous Rainism Repackage album a few months later. ^@@^
SCROLL DOWN ↓ this post to see MORE album art and my compilation of songs, MVs, fan cams, and TV appearances (credited as tagged). Please enjoy! ^@@^
» You can visit the previous Open Thread HERE and re-visit Rain’s previous album Rain’s World. By the way — have you 10th Cloud sisters left a message for Rain on his officially sanctioned fan club on Naver today?
ANNOUNCEMENT: We noticed many pictures on our homepages weren’t loading anymore… As it turns out, our web host has moved to a new platform and we need to do the same (follow them). Co-founder Terri is working hard behind the scenes to rebuild our site and move it to the new web location. Please don’t worry — our blog is not affected and our new site will be up and running smoothly soon. PLEASE PARDON OUR MESS OVER THERE! 🙂
Continue reading ‘[23 images][news][links][16 vids] 비 Yourself Open Thread for 7/1 — 10/31/2020. Rainism overload!’» Cloud USA disclaimer. READ it. We’re 10th Cloud term members now, but the same still applies.
— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
First, we got the abbreviated version of Rain’s home circuit training… Then, we got his full 30-minute TABATA workout from hell in real time, with no breaks.
Now, as promised, he has spilled his dieting secrets that have kept him in tip top shape and has him presently at the same weight as when he was a 20-year-old (but with muscle!).
Continue reading ‘[5 images][Letit비][Eng subs] Rain tells his diet secrets, as promised! (5/6)’
— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
5/12/2020. Rain’s latest TikTok video and an update on how his 3-week-old account is doing (let’s just say he’s killin it over there). *thumbs way up* ^@@^
— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Grab a fork and your favorite dressing, stir well, and dig in. Enjoy!
The latest from our Cloud USA YouTube channel. Please support us on our YouTube, as well as RAIN’s Official Channel and R.A.I.N. Company’s partner in managing Rain’s activities, Sublime Artist Agency. It’s really important that you do. Thanks so much! ❤️ ^@@^
A BLAST FROM THE PAST: I regret that we’re only now seeing this post, because it is right on the money when it comes to mid-2017. Nicely done! — Stephe ^@@^
K-Pop is one of the few international genres that places more focus on groups than solo acts, but when a single artist does make it big, they often burst into the stratosphere. Such is the case with Rain (Bi), who set the standard for male soloists everywhere. He is not only a Korean star. He’s a star who has conquered all of Asia. His lengthy discography is home to many classics, but here are my favorites.
10. Free Way (2006)
Rain’s original Japanese material hasn’t always lived up to his Korean output, but the bright, breezy soul of Free Way is definitely the highlight.
9. How To Avoid The Sun (2003)
How To Avoid The Sun’s shuffling beat and atmospheric synths create the perfect midtempo soundscape for…
View original post 298 more words
— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Once again, Rain’s debut anniversary is upon us — the 18th one. Nineteen years in the business as a solo singer! And y’all know the drill. Every year, Clouds all over the world load up social media with congratulatory fan made videos and images for him and we celebrate hard. Only, this year, Rain turned the tables on us.
He was ready and waiting for April 24, and loaded up his social media with precious 18-year-old gems we’d never seen and an image timeline representing his nearly two decades as the phenomenon known as 비.
— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Last week on the 21st, Rain announced that he was opening a TikTok account (not the first version, for Chinese-speaking territories — that was this past December… I’m talking about the version after that, based out of California, for markets outside of China. The one we all can use. YAY!) Mere hours later, he released his first TikTok video and it was a blast!
He took on the Drip Challenge and KILLED IT.
Continue reading ‘[2 images][3 vids] Rain TikToks with the best of ’em. Go see for yourself. (4/21 — 4/27)’
— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Good heavens!
Everything after the 20-minute mark had to be HELL ON EARTH. The “devil’s workout” indeed. How was he able to still speak to viewers after 20 minutes of that? Rain’s discipline and stamina at age 37 are unbelievable.
I was exhausted just watching!
But not surprised by him at all. I mean, the guy did pull 9Gs in a centrifuge. 🙂 ^@@^
(Source credit: RAIN’s Official Channel @ YT.)
— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Huge congratulations to Rain for achieving his weight loss goal recently!
It’s not that he was unhealthy or overweight by any means — he certainly was not — he’s always taken good care of himself, worked out, and cut a fine figure out in the public. But hey, we’re all human and we get it, you’re older and have an anniversary or birthday or an event or some type of milestone coming up and you want to be at and look your dead-level BEST. It’s a natural thing. So, with the incredible discipline and utmost care for his body that he’s shown over the years, it was only a slight surprise when Rain announced on his social media a few days ago that he was back to his weight as a 20-year-old, just in time for his 18th year debut anniversary on April 24.
A nice thing to do for himself, indeed!
Continue reading ‘[20 images][vlive][Eng subs] You can reach your body goals if you #letit비 — give Rain’s workout a try! (4/16)’
Cloud USA 