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Rain (entertainer)

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Jung Ji-hoon is a prominent South Korean entertainer known professionally as Rain or Bi.

Bi (Rain)
Bi (Rain)

He is a multi-talented artist who works as a singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, and record producer. His career spans many different industries, including music, television, and film. He has released seven major albums, including six in Korean and one in Japanese. Throughout his career, he has released 28 singles and performed numerous global concert tours. Rain is recognized as a major figure in the Hallyu wave, which refers to the spread of South Korean culture worldwide.

Rain's journey to stardom required significant persistence and resilience. Born in Seosan, South Korea, in 1982, he faced personal loss when his mother died from diabetes in 2000. That same year, he began training at JYP Entertainment under producer Park Jin-young. During his auditions, he faced rejection based on his physical appearance. One recruiter noted his singing and dancing were excellent but rejected him because he lacked double eyelids. Despite these setbacks, he continued to work hard and initially served as a backup dancer.

His musical career reached a turning point with his third Korean album, *It's Raining*, released in 2004.

Rain Korean Singer
Rain Korean Singer

This album produced the number one single of the same name. It was a massive commercial success, selling over 200,000 copies in South Korea and more than one million copies across Asia. To support this success, he launched the Rainy Day Tour, which included 14 concerts across eight different countries. In 2005, JYP Entertainment reported that Rain earned US$35 million from endorsements and promotional activities.

Rain also expanded his influence into acting and international markets. He gained fame through television dramas like *Sang Doo! Let's Go To School* and the pan-Asia hit *Full House*. These roles helped establish his status as a Hallyu star. In 2008, he moved into Hollywood with the film *Speed Racer*. He followed this in 2009 with *Ninja Assassin*, a role that made him the first Korean actor to win an MTV Movie Award.

140120 피 끓는 청춘 vip시사회-비
140120 피 끓는 청춘 vip시사회-비

His acting has earned him nine KBS Drama Awards and two Baeksang Arts Awards.

His global popularity is reflected in several significant milestones and rankings. In 2006 and 2011, *Time* magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2007, he topped a *Time* magazine online poll, defeating figures such as Stephen Colbert by 100,000 votes. He also became the first Korean artist to perform at the Tokyo Dome, attracting nearly 40,000 people.

2015 rain王者回归深圳站演唱会 (2)
2015 rain王者回归深圳站演唱会 (2)

In 2008, he contributed to the Beijing Olympic Games by singing the theme song "Hand in Hand" and performing at the closing ceremony.

Rain has also demonstrated significant entrepreneurial skill by managing his own career. He established J. Tune Entertainment in 2007 and later founded his own agency, R.A.I.N. Company, in 2015.

RainF1
RainF1

His career has seen various phases, including a period with Cube Entertainment and a major comeback in 2017 with the album *My Life*. Even when facing modern challenges, such as his song "Gang" becoming a viral parody in 2020, he embraced the trend with grace and self-deprecation. This helped revitalize interest in his work.

Today, Rain remains a versatile figure who connects music, dance, and acting.

Rain at the 2018 Taipei New Year's Eve party
Rain at the 2018 Taipei New Year's Eve party

His ability to move between different cultural markets, from Japan to the United States, shows his wide appeal. He has received many accolades, including six Mnet Asian Music Awards and three Golden Disc Awards. His career illustrates how an artist can navigate personal challenges and industry standards to achieve international recognition. He continues to be a significant influence in the global entertainment landscape.

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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Bi (Rain).jpg
Bi (Rain).jpg
File:Rain Korean Singer.JPG
Rain Korean Singer.JPG
File:RainF1.JPG
RainF1.JPG
File:2015 rain王者回归深圳站演唱会 (2).jpg
2015 rain王者回归深圳站演唱会 (2).jpg
File:Rain at the 2018 Taipei New Year's Eve party.jpg
Rain at the 2018 Taipei New Year's Eve party.jpg
File:140120 피 끓는 청춘 vip시사회-비.jpg
140120 피 끓는 청춘 vip시사회-비.jpg
File:KoreAm June 2007 cover.jpg
KoreAm June 2007 cover.jpg
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