Rainism
Wednesday, October 15th, 2008Thanks everyone who commented on my previous post, I really enjoyed hearing about what you guys like ^^
I’ve talked about him before some time ago, but today this post is going to be about 비 again, because he’s just released his 5집 and although I know a few of you don’t like him, I’m a big fan and really happy! It’s been 2 years, almost to the day, since he last released an album, which was his 4집 Rain’s World, with singles like I’m Coming, 내가 누웠던 침대 (In My Bed) and With U.
In the 2 years since then, 비’s gone through a lot of changes in his career. He attempted a world tour that was mostly cancelled due to bad management, and when his contract with JYP Entertainment expired he chose to not ignore it - something that recieved a lot of mixed reaction, mostly because JYP Entertainment was safe, while striking out on his own left a lot of question marks.
But I believe striking out on his own was one of the best things that 비 could possibly have done. It gave him the freedom to do what he wanted - which was spending some time as an actor and working on his English. He had the role of Taejo Togokahn in Speed Racer, and while Speed Racer didn’t do too well it at least got plenty of attention (and I really enjoyed it, so shhh XD). 비 then landed himself a role in Ninja Assassin, which should be released in January. His role in Ninja Assassin is considerably bigger - he’s one of the male leads, the assassin Raizo. And it roles like this that show that 비 isn’t just a pretty face. He went through extensive physical and martial arts training so that he could do the fight scenes himself, and you’ll see some of the training if you watch the MBC Special Documentary that showed what he’s been doing for the past year. You can watch it here: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6.
And now 비 is back, as a singer, with his first album since he left JYP Entertainment. I can’t really put my finger on what it is that’s different about this album to his others, it’s still his usual R&B style but there is something about it that feels different, something that I like a lot.
I hope that this album does well! And I hope that Ninja Assassin does better than Speed Racer does - but everyone likes a ninja movie, right? XD
The first single (digital single, I think it was?) from Rainism was Love Story, and while MV’s story is rather predictable and typical, it’s worth watching at least the start of it just to see 비 being a total moron, poking himself in the eye with his glasses among other things XD You can watch the MV here.
And even better than that, is the super hot Rainism trailer. I hope this is coming out as a full MV soon. It looks so cool!
Posted by Taliana in Korean Music |
October 16th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I’m not a huge fan of 비 but it’s hard to ignore his popularity. However, I feel that he receives some undue criticism for his poor use of English. No, he can’t speak perfect English. But who cares? I ain’t mad. He’s trying. I mean, isn’t his background in dancing? Cut the guy some slack.
The criticism I speak of is largely exemplified in a Korean celebrity blog PopSeoul but certainly was a youtube hit this past July.
blog: http://popseoul.com/2008/07/28/rain-is-just-kidding-about-his-career-in-hollywood/
(NSFW) video: http://www.movieweb.com/video/V08G05buzJOUVW
Either way, maybe it’s time to lay off the negative press. Korean celebrities have had it kind of rough recently, you know…
October 16th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Matthew:
That is, unfortunately, just what PopSeoul does. They’re a gossip blog, and gossip generally has a nasty edge to it. Granted they aren’t as low and don’t make any sexually degrading/inappropriate comments like a certain other gossip site does, but still. But yeah, it does seem like PopSeoul like to pick on Bi a little bit more than some of the other artists they talk about.
His English has come a really long way, and I honestly feel that maybe he’s learning it a little slow, considering the fact that he supposedly had personal, full-time tutors that he has spent a great deal of time with, but the fact still remains that he’s a lot better than he used to be. I think he just doesn’t do well under pressure, because there’s that video you linked to which was incredibly awkward, but if you watch the press conference (or … panel? something, I’m not too savvy with cons XD) that happened a little later that day, his English was so much better!
And I think a lot of people seem to be forgetting the fact that there are some Asian actors who are really famous and doing really well even outside of Asia, who have quite strong Asian accents when they speak English. I feel like everyone expects Bi to suddenly turn into an American.
End rant .. XD
October 20th, 2008 at 7:33 am
I am frankly really surprised @ the negative reaction to 비 from many so called premier Kpop blogs and websites. I would think that Koreans would be so proud of such a great example of the Korean hard work, humility and determination image that Rain has brought to the west.
I am an African American learning Korean and loving Korean culture thanx to him and other talented Kcelebrities like him. I am def. not the stereotypical Asian 아줌마 fans that I see in the high priced front row seats of his concerts (yeah…thank you Youtube) but I and many of my friends and students like him a lot.
His music might not currently fit the American market but his pretty face and newly sculptured physic are about to burn up American big screens. He really is good at what he does and Korean couch potato trolls need to get over themselves and accept their betters.
Those of us who are Martial Arts movie fans are excited that Rain could become a replacement for the current but aging great Asian mega action superstars like Jackie, Chow and Jet. Who doesn’t like a bloody Ninja film with tons of Ninjas doing Ninja shtuff???
I am not sure if the Asian males around here realize this but they have become the new sex symbols thanx to people like Rain who deliberately flaunt Asian beauty without holding back….Now we are all doing double take at Mrs. Kim’s grocery market..히 히 히!
I am not really sure what they are feeding you Korean boyz these days but if 비 is any example of the current scenery in S. Korea…you all are about to get truck loads of screaming black women running after all of you…puhahaha.
Taliana Ssi, see? no healthy woman can talk about Rain without ranting and blubbering like a stroke victim. Any woman who denies ‘talent’ like his is either deaf, blind, numb from the waist down or bats for the other team cause he definite scientific proof that God is a WOMAN!!!! Aiiiish Jinjja….is it hot in here?
October 20th, 2008 at 10:27 am
I am officially scared/laughing
October 21st, 2008 at 3:46 am
matinga your comment had me rolling on the floor LMAO!!
Amen!!
Im a RAIN
October 21st, 2008 at 3:50 am
hey!! my comment got cut off! ..oh well!
October 21st, 2008 at 7:49 pm
i am absolutely a rain-fan!!!
loved his songs, movies, kdramas..just about everything! and i’m just so happy that he released his latest album~can’t wait to get a copy! i don’t care whatever bad publicity he’s getting~everyone is entitled to their own opinion!still..rain rules!
October 24th, 2008 at 12:38 am
LOL sumra7 ssi…its all good!! I, too, once lost my typing hand-eye coordination (and my principles) when I watched Rain do his man act up on stage, wearing African corn rolls of all things…..God Bless Globalization!!!
How do most Koreans feel about their celebrities in general? I could care less about the over indulged, self absorbed, stereotypically ridiculous and embarrassing American (and western) celebrities. Wow! most don’t seem to care that they are such poor role models.
The really fun part about Korean variety shows is watching celebrities make total fools of themselves and have a blast doing it. I always have a goofy smile on my face when watching these sometimes really humiliating tasks they must perform…This sort of gives them this down to earth “normal human” thing that really make them different from the plastic superstars round here. Am I getting this right?
November 10th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
matinga,
This is my first time ever on this site. However, I really needed to reply and and make a response to your comment. I am soooooo agreeing with you! I am an African-American woman also and man…..people just don’t know…RAIN is so awesome!! I mean everything about him is just sooo….Hmmm..great.Yeah & I also can relate to what you said about “doin’ a double take when you enter Mrs. Kim’s grocery store!” And yes, and if Bi is an example of what the Korean boyz look like now…OMG! And Bi’s body type is not like an average Korean guy body type(not meant to disrespect, but just my opinion!) Bi is just so sexy and hot!! He just has this sex appeal. Bi, do not come over here in America and become very popular( also popular with black women). You may begin to have the same problem with Americans fans as you already have with the Korean fans!
November 17th, 2008 at 5:48 am
LOL dnetta Ssi! Take a closer look at the “average Korean guy body type” for a treat when you need it and you will see…its all very good!
Because we are in mixed company, we gotta keep it academic but see ya at the Ninja Assassin premier!!! *cheshire cat grin*
December 5th, 2008 at 5:44 am
I love rain!!! When is the ninja assasin premier?
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:13 am
@matinga…i too am African American and i couldn’t have expressed it any better.
yep, you got it absolutely right. all i say to haters is GLOBILIZATION BABY…either get on for the ride or get left behind.
i’m going for the ride cause the destination point looks like a storm’s coming and i love Rain-ny weather.
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:22 am
check out Rainlisting.blogspot.com a wealth of sites and other info about him from his fan base. really a one stop shop site for everything on Rain
October 13th, 2009 at 5:30 am
@matinga…
I agree with everything you said. I shop at the Asian Grocery store and I swear I see Bi in every aisle!!
I was exposed to Kpop and Korean culture through Bi. I heard one of his songs on YouTube without even knowing who he was. My first thought was that he has some soul to sound like that. After that, I was hooked.
I, too, am looking forward to the Ninja Assasin premier