JP/ J. Adiguna
Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
| Sat, 12/05/2009 1:46 PM | Life
"Jung Ji-hoon!" "Bi!" "Rain!" No matter which name his fans screamed out that night, the Korean superstar made everyone wait in despair, hungry for his smile.
But not for too long. After a number of hits and smooth dance moves, Rain gave the audience his shy-and-mysterious smile at last. And no need to guess further: That quick smile was greeted by hysteria from thousands of his fans, who flocked to the Jakarta International Exhibition Convention on Thursday night to watch him perform.
Rain, who started his career as a dancer for a singer a few years ago, apparently has his own stage and audience now. Even better, the 27-year-old Seoul-born pop sensation has spread his wings throughout Asia and even the US. And having the whole package - he can sing, dance and even act - has given him international recognition, something only few Korean artists have managed to secure.
His Jakarta's concert that night, which was part of his Asian Tour "Legend of Rainism", proved his shining popularity outside his homeland. In the two-hour-long concert, Rain had everyone hooked on his powerful choreography and catchy songs.
His live vocal quality? Well, not that impressive - at least for a non-fan like the writer - but it's worth appreciating as it wasn't lip-synching. After all, when it comes to entertaining his fans, Rain always does it his way - with energy and artistry.
| Sat, 12/05/2009 1:46 PM | Life
"Jung Ji-hoon!" "Bi!" "Rain!" No matter which name his fans screamed out that night, the Korean superstar made everyone wait in despair, hungry for his smile.
But not for too long. After a number of hits and smooth dance moves, Rain gave the audience his shy-and-mysterious smile at last. And no need to guess further: That quick smile was greeted by hysteria from thousands of his fans, who flocked to the Jakarta International Exhibition Convention on Thursday night to watch him perform.
Rain, who started his career as a dancer for a singer a few years ago, apparently has his own stage and audience now. Even better, the 27-year-old Seoul-born pop sensation has spread his wings throughout Asia and even the US. And having the whole package - he can sing, dance and even act - has given him international recognition, something only few Korean artists have managed to secure.
His Jakarta's concert that night, which was part of his Asian Tour "Legend of Rainism", proved his shining popularity outside his homeland. In the two-hour-long concert, Rain had everyone hooked on his powerful choreography and catchy songs.
His live vocal quality? Well, not that impressive - at least for a non-fan like the writer - but it's worth appreciating as it wasn't lip-synching. After all, when it comes to entertaining his fans, Rain always does it his way - with energy and artistry.
So, perhaps, a minus in the vocal side didn't matter that much to the audience. His fans simply enjoyed every move he made. His jumping from the balcony to the stage had everyone screaming for more, not to mention when he licked the sweat drops near his lips.
The best part, however, was when he took off his shirt and smoothly slipped under the fake rain onstage, showing his six-pack abs while dancing under the showering water. This part sent the audience into hysterics, perhaps because Rain is known for his sculpted body figure that many dreamed they would see "live". Lucky for them, Rain answered their prayers after singing some 16 songs - so it seems the singer knew the right time to surprise his fans.
Judging from his well-prepared show, Rain's choreography was perhaps the strongest point of his Jakarta's concert, which can be understood as Rain started his entertainment career as a dancer.
Next came the lighting and stage effects - the firecrackers and fake rain - which gave the audience a real concert experience.
If there's any aspect that needs improvement, it was perhaps his interaction with fans. In his concert of more than 20 songs that night, Rain didn't interact much with the audience.
He only did a short intro after his first three songs, and said a few words after singing some more hits. So, there was not much to be shared from him on stage - even little things like his feelings about visiting Jakarta or his opinion on his crowd.
And Rain has shown this kind of "shyness" - if we can call it that way - from the first time he met with Indonesian journalists, two days before the concert. He didn't really answer questions and when he made one interesting statement, his management ended up asking the media not to publish it. Perhaps that was to maintain his scandal-free career and private life.
Rain, who was listed in TIME magazine's "100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World" in 2006 and PEOPLE magazine's "Most Beautiful People" in 2007, has already released five Korean albums and one in Japanese.
Making his debut in 2002, this all-round artist is often called "Bi" (or Rain in English) by his Korean fans. And thus began his stage name Rain. Rain shot to international stardom after his successful 2004 Korean drama series Full House, which secured high ratings in many Asian countries including Indonesia.
His third album, It's Raining, released in the same year as the drama series, sold over one million copies in Asia alone. Spreading his wings further, Rain starred in two Hollywood movies Speed Racer in 2008 and the recent one, Ninja Assassin. On this matter, Rain was willing to share a few words with the Indonesian press.
"I will continue acting in Hollywood movies," said Rain, who launched his clothing line Six To Five last year. "My ultimate dream is to represent not only Korea, but also all Southeast Asian countries to the world," he added.
A big dream, which does not seems impossible to reach - considering his strong fan-bases worldwide. As was the case in Jakarta, he can be pretty sure that he will always draw a large crowd.
"My dreams have been realized one by one," he said, when asked about how he felt to be a world-class performer. "And for that, I want to thank all my fans," he added.
So, one last question, Rain. How do you feel about being welcomed by heavy rain here in Jakarta?
"Well, whenever I go, it will always rain... That's because my name is Rain," he said innocently, greeted by laughter from the journalists.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/05/let-it-rain.html
The best part, however, was when he took off his shirt and smoothly slipped under the fake rain onstage, showing his six-pack abs while dancing under the showering water. This part sent the audience into hysterics, perhaps because Rain is known for his sculpted body figure that many dreamed they would see "live". Lucky for them, Rain answered their prayers after singing some 16 songs - so it seems the singer knew the right time to surprise his fans.
Judging from his well-prepared show, Rain's choreography was perhaps the strongest point of his Jakarta's concert, which can be understood as Rain started his entertainment career as a dancer.
Next came the lighting and stage effects - the firecrackers and fake rain - which gave the audience a real concert experience.
If there's any aspect that needs improvement, it was perhaps his interaction with fans. In his concert of more than 20 songs that night, Rain didn't interact much with the audience.
He only did a short intro after his first three songs, and said a few words after singing some more hits. So, there was not much to be shared from him on stage - even little things like his feelings about visiting Jakarta or his opinion on his crowd.
And Rain has shown this kind of "shyness" - if we can call it that way - from the first time he met with Indonesian journalists, two days before the concert. He didn't really answer questions and when he made one interesting statement, his management ended up asking the media not to publish it. Perhaps that was to maintain his scandal-free career and private life.
Rain, who was listed in TIME magazine's "100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World" in 2006 and PEOPLE magazine's "Most Beautiful People" in 2007, has already released five Korean albums and one in Japanese.
Making his debut in 2002, this all-round artist is often called "Bi" (or Rain in English) by his Korean fans. And thus began his stage name Rain. Rain shot to international stardom after his successful 2004 Korean drama series Full House, which secured high ratings in many Asian countries including Indonesia.
His third album, It's Raining, released in the same year as the drama series, sold over one million copies in Asia alone. Spreading his wings further, Rain starred in two Hollywood movies Speed Racer in 2008 and the recent one, Ninja Assassin. On this matter, Rain was willing to share a few words with the Indonesian press.
"I will continue acting in Hollywood movies," said Rain, who launched his clothing line Six To Five last year. "My ultimate dream is to represent not only Korea, but also all Southeast Asian countries to the world," he added.
A big dream, which does not seems impossible to reach - considering his strong fan-bases worldwide. As was the case in Jakarta, he can be pretty sure that he will always draw a large crowd.
"My dreams have been realized one by one," he said, when asked about how he felt to be a world-class performer. "And for that, I want to thank all my fans," he added.
So, one last question, Rain. How do you feel about being welcomed by heavy rain here in Jakarta?
"Well, whenever I go, it will always rain... That's because my name is Rain," he said innocently, greeted by laughter from the journalists.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/05/let-it-rain.html
