The biggest pop star in all of Asia — Rain — is facing a hailstorm of legal trouble in the US. A Honolulu concert promoter claims in a federal lawsuit that the so-called Korean “Justin Timberlake” defrauded them out of more than $500,000, and never had any intention of performing in the first place. And the legal mud-slinging could just be starting.
Well-placed sources tells TMZ that local promoters in Los Angeles, where Rain also canceled a concert an hour-and-a-half before the gig, are contemplating millions of dollars in legal action against the singer and his management company. “It isn’t going to be pretty,” says one source. All in all, Rain canceled two gigs and postponed three among his five US dates, citing a trademark suit in Nevada and technical glitches for the missed gigs. [TMZ]
The Korean singer and actor Rain has a foot in the door in Hollywood after being cast in “Speed Racer,” the next film by the Wachowski brothers, who created “The Matrix.” Rain is to play a character who takes part in high-speed car races to secure his father’s company.
Rain’s manager claimed the K-pop star’s role “holds the key to the movie.” “Though it is a supporting role, Rain will manage the flow of the movie between the two main parts.” The character’s name has not been decided.
“Speed Racer” is based on the popular Japanese animation “Mach Go Go. Emile Hirsch, who starred in “The Girl Next Door,” is to play the hero Speed. Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Christina Ricci will also appear in supporting roles.
After several twists and turns, South Korean pop singer Rain has disappointed Chinese fans again. It’s been announced that the star’s scheduled Shanghai concert, is now suspended for the fourth time.
The problem? Technical problems. In order to ensure the audience enjoys a musical extravaganza, the stage production requires further work before the show can go ahead. For this reason they have decided to again postpone the concert.
“Xinmin Evening News” has already reported that the concert may have been canceled indefinitely.
The subsequent suspension of the May 20 concert has ignited complaints among his fans. Many have complained online on a popular forum, saying that although they haven’t paid for the concert yet, they have paid for tickets to travel to Shanghai to see the concert and now they have to cancel the trip and return the tickets. [Cri]
Xinmin Evening Post reports that a much anticipated live concert of South Korean singer Rain is scheduled to be held in Shanghai on May 20.
The concert has been planned since two years ago, but has met with various problems. Earlier this year, a Chinese performing company even filed a lawsuit against the star’s agency companies for failing to lay on the concert last March, citing Rain’s “tight schedule”.
The star’s South Korean agency then promised to set a clear date for a later Shanghai concert.
Before the concert, Rain is expected to hold a meeting with his fans in Shanghai. [Cri]
Stephen Colbert is a multi-talented individual. Not only does he lend a critical eye towards today’s hot political issues but he is also a dancing and singing superstar. Watch him here as he performs a remake of a Rain video… in KOREAN! What inspired this video? Korean superstar Rain bumped Colbert from his spot on the TIME 100 list.
Thanks to PopSeoul for the vids and Audrey for the heads up!
The worldwide forecast is looking sunny with continued Rain expected all across Asia and the US this summer…
Korean singing sensation, Rain, will hold another concert at Madison Square Garden in New York, the venue of his debut performance in America last year. The New York concert is part of his June world tour, which includes stops in Atlanta, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Prior to his American tour, Rain will hold a concert at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on May 25th for over 35,000 Japanese fans. And at the end of this month, Rain will hold a concert in China. Before Rain leaves for North America, he will wrap up the Asian tour with shows in Thailand from June 2 to 3. [KBS]
The Rain’s Coming Tour keeps trekking along. The 23-year old Korean superstar arrived in Sydney this week. While there, Rain revealed his ambitions to conquer the English speaking pop scene. And why not. As evidenced by the throngs of frenzied fans and sold out concerts thus far, it’s clear Rain clearly dominates the Asia pop scene.
Only problem is that Rain doesn’t really speak English; at least not well. Yeah, that could be an issue…
…but no worries, mate. Just be sure to flash your million dollar grin, shake your money maker, and much will be forgiven. My Gawd, look at the success thus far of Sanjaya on American Idol…. at least you have talent!
Who’s the coolest pop star riding the Korea waves right now? Rain, of course, if the hordes of screaming girls who rush to every one of his public appearance are anything to go by. It’s hard to believe that he was rejected at auditions because he was “not handsome enough, although his dance was great”.
Rain, born Jung Ji-hoon and nicknamed the “Asian Usher”, is having the last laugh. Not only has he conquered the concert halls and television audiences from Thailand to Taiwan, the 24-year old has now turned his attention to the big screen, making his debut in Park Chan-wook’s I’m a Cyborg, but That’s OK.
Rain’s role, a quirky character in a lunatic asylum who falls in love with another inmate (Lim Soo-jung) who thinks he’s a cyborg, is a big departure from his suave image on stage. Although the film hasn’t been the big hit he had hoped for in South Korea, the chance of pursuing something different drew him to the project. “I haven’t thought too much about the box office and whether it will make big money. I just wanted to have a good experience on my debut in movie-making,”, says Rain, who has been scouted by Hollywood, although he refuses to reveal any details. “I picked this movie because Park is a famous director and I thought I could learn a lot from him.”
Having conquered Asia, Rain set his sights on the US and became the first Asian to perform at New York’s Madison Square Garden, in February last year. His two sell-out shows put him on the map. He was also named one of the most influential artists of 2006 by TIME magazine.
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