Jung Ji-Hoon, better known by his stage name Rain, is a South Korean singer, actor, songwriter, dancer, model, producer, and designer.
Background
Rain was born in Seoul, South Korea, on June 25, 1982 with the birth name Jung Jihoon. He was extremely shy in elementary school, stating in interviews that he barely spoke a word. He caught the desire to become a dancer when, at a school talent show in sixth grade, no one from his school stepped forward to dance so he gave it a try, imitating the moves he saw on TV. The applause was extremely gratifying and he decided on the spot to become a professional dancer. In order to learn, he sought out older street dancers, who sometimes helped him, sometimes bullied and beat him up. Rain and his younger sister, Hana, enjoyed a comfortable life until the Korean recession of 1997, when his father's mill and bakery businesses failed. Bankrupt, his father left for Brazil to pursue economic opportunities, leaving Rain's mother to try to support the family as a food vendor. Rain's mother was ailing from diabetes due to lack of money for medical care and insulin. Rain got a start in the entertainment business briefly as part of a six-member boy-band called Fanclub.
Education
He decided to follow his passion and attended High School of Arts in where he received his first formal instruction in acting and was able to continue dancing as well.
Career
He started his career as a singer, then let his name be known around the world as he became an actor! Everyone seems to know of him...
Hallyu's number-one star, Rain! You've waited a LONG time for this - today's Star Focus exclusive's with Rain!
With a full Asia schedule coming up, Rain held a fan meeting in Korea entitled "Summer Vacation with Rain." It was HELD in Korea, but the event was packed with fans from ALL over! A total of three THOUSAND Korean AND international fans. All waiting for the SAME thing -
Finally Rain appeared and the location FILLED with the cheers from the crowd! The singer danced his heart out for the fans. He wasn't holding ANYthing back! Every fan meeting of Rain's was led by emcee Kim Je-dong! He was adored by Rain fans, as well.
The fans had prepared a lot for this event, too! They put on some talent shows, played games with Rain, and threw him a great birthday party COMPLETE with gifts! Rain thanked them with a song. Rain had come back to Korea after the shoot ended in Berlin, Germany. He was 10kg lighter, but more fit, too.
Rain was immediately a HOT commodity in the music biz. Then, in 2003, he started on his road to acting with a TV drama. A lot of people were afraid that he might not do very well, but the singer had a natural talent for acting, too! ACTOR Rain conquered the hearts of the Korean public, then went on to the global stage.Rain debuted in 2002 with his song, He's now a 6-year veteran vocalist of K-pop, and it shows when he fires up the stage like a super-charged turbo of a fine-tuned car. But this mega-star, who could have anything, likes to divulge himself in the most BASIC and simple way.
With work in Hollywood, all over the US and then to Europe, Rain spent about a year out of the spotlight here in Korea. But now, he was back and he promised to give all that he's got to make up for the time he's missed.
He's taking a break from acting, and Rain returns to us as the SINGER Korea fell in love with in 2002! Now, he has the talent to produce his own albums - something he'll use when he storms K-pop in the second half of 2008. We welcome the Hallyu star back to Korea.
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Quotations:
"The biggest competition is myself. I am not looking to follow others or pull them down. I'm planning to test my own boundaries."