Rain

Name

Rain's real name is Jung Ji-Hoon (pronounced Jung like young and - hoon like moon) other notation Jeong Ji-Hun (the correct romanization from his Korean characters), which he uses when he performs as an actor. His surname is Jung and his given name is Ji-Hoon.

Before Rain made his debut as singer some people said, that he has a certain sadness charisma when he dance. Therefore Rain assume the chinese word/audible "bēi"/雨 (translated "sadness") as his stage name. The Korean say "Bi or Pi" (translated: "Rain"), an simimlar pronunciation for the Chinese"bēi". Because Rain associated sadness with rain, so he assume the english word "RAIN" for his international stage name. 雨 is the Chinese character for the word "bēi" and you can find it in Rain's signatur (in the word Jung Ji-Hoon, it is a part of the second "J"). ==> click here to see

All his "stage names" in the different languages means always the word "rain". In the West, he is known by the English word Rain. In Korea he is known as 비, romanized as Bi and pronounced as the letter B in English. In Japan, he is known as ピ, pronounced Pi. In some parts of Chinese word, he is sometimes referred to as Yu or 雨 pronounced bēi. He uses these stage names when he performs as a singer and dancer. Usually he want this name solely use as singer and dancer, but in the west the most known he as Rain and hence he is also in (Hollywood) movies (as Actor) named as Rain.

Biography

Rain was born on the 25th of June 1982 in Seoul (South Korea) and has a younger sister. He became interested in R&B and Hiphop dancing when he was in 6th grade. As a teenager, he was a member of a boy band called Fan Club. The group's first hit single, 꿈을 찾아서 (translation: "In Search of a Dream"), subsequently, was a remake of the popular 1997 hit, Tubthumping, sung by English band, Chumbawamba. The two songs were the same in composition. Only the lyrics were changed in content and language. The group was short-lived, and soon disbanded. At that time Rain was having the hardest time of his life. His mother was sick, he had no money, he had a little sister to take care of and had to go to school. Yet he still pressed forward, always dancing and dreaming of becoming a singer. Rain then began auditioning for various talent agencies. In a CNN interview, however, he recalled being repeatedly rejected because of his looks: "In fact, I was told after one audition that my singing and dancing was great but I didn't make it because I didn't have double eyelids."

Music, film and businessman career

Park Jin-Young (Korean producer/singer who worked with American singers Will Smith, Mase, Lil' Kim, 3LW, Tyrese) took Rain under his wings after he auditioned Korean talent agency JYP Entertainment. During the early years of training in dancing and singing, Rain was a backup dancer for a famous Korean singer named Park Ji-Yoon and Park Jin-Young himself. During those training, Rain was not often at home and told to his parents them he was gonna study in the library while in fact he went to the dance studio. He struggled financially and at times had to go without meals. Nevertheless, he continued to focus on his dance and singing even though he was anxiously waiting for his debut.

Finally, in 2002 he debuted with the album "Bad Guy" where he was introduced to the media through his stage or commercial name, Rain. In the album, a similarly-named single "Bad Guy" was a big hit. After his first album, he took time off from his career as a singer to star in the drama series, "Sang Doo! Let's Go To School". Following the success of his debut as singer and actor, Rain released his second album "How to Avoid The Sun", and had another hit with the title song "Ways to Avoid the Sun".

In 2004, he starred in another successful drama called "Full House", which was one of the highest-rated Korean dramas of all time with ratings of over 30% for every episode. It was broadcasted in many other countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Japan, Taiwan and the U.S. Through Full House, Rain was recognized across Asia. His performance in the drama also won him the Best Actor Award at the KBS Acting Awards.

His 3rd album "It's Raining" has been released 2004 in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and has top the foreign music charts in those countries; the album has sold more than 1 million in Asia. In the years 2004 and 2005 he won many awards with his music (see also "Awards").

Rain then went on his first Asia-Tour "RAINY DAY" in January 2005, starting in Seoul and followed by Tokyo and Hong Kong; due to his fame and his extravagant performances, tickets sold out quickly. His first solo concert in Japan last summer, entitled Rainy Day Japan held at the Tokyo International Forum, was so popular that all the tickets were sold out 30 seconds after going on sale. The tickets for another of his concerts in Taiwan were sold out the moment they became available also. His performances in Hong Kong also sold out in a couple of hours. Rain continues to set records in Asia. Now planning to go beyond Japan and Hong Kong, Rain will make a foray into China by giving a concert in Beijing.

Rain's fourth album, "Rain's World" was released in Korea on October 14, 2006. The first single was "I'm Coming", followed by the second single "In My Bed", and finally "Inside of You".

Rain's first world tour "RAIN's Coming" began on December 13, 2006 at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, and was scheduled to continue through 2007 to the following countries: Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, United States and Canada.

Rain has his film debut with "I'm A Cyborg, But That's OK" in 2006. It was broadcasted in many other countries worldwide and was awarded with some awards. This includes winning an Alfred Bauer Award at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival (Germany) 2007 and being selected as the opening film for the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Also, at the 43rd Baeksang Award in Korea in 2007, Rain and Su-Jeong were nominated for New Best Actor and Best Actress. Rain won the award while Su-jeong lost to The Fox Family's Park Si-Yeon.

The role as Taejo Togokhan (a rival racer) in the movie "Speed Racer" is Rain's Hollywood debut and will be released in May 2008.

In May-June 2008, Rain was in Berlin (Germany) filming "Ninja Assassin". He will play an Ninja called Raizo. It will be Rain's first lead role in an Hollywood movie. The cinema release is scheduled for March or October 2009.

In October 2008 Rain start his comeback with appearances in many TV and Radio Shows. On 15th October 2008 has been released his 5th Album "레이니즘 / Rainism". It is a Asia Special Album and will be available in different Countries. In these albums are the songs "Rainism" and "Love Story" in the respective national language (it is available in Korean, Chinese, Japanese and English). Rainism is Rain's first album under his own agency company "J. Tune Entertainment" (since 2007) where he is the owner.

Rain founded a further company called "J. Tune Creative" in 2008. This Company will start in December 2008 a clothing line with the brand name "Six to Five". Rain will hold the SIX TO FIVE Launching SHOW 09 & Concert on 23th December 2008 to present his new fashion line.