Intro

One of K-Pop’s most iconic solo acts at home and abroad, Rain, real name Jung Ji-Hoon, is our focus in this section of K-Pop’s rise in the States. 

Beginning his musical career in 1996, his rise to stardom in the industry began after being signed to JYP Entertainment in 2000 (starting an almost father-son-like relationship with JYP himself). At the turn of this century, he established himself as an icon in Korea with tracks such as, “How to Avoid the Sun” and “It’s Raining”, both of which reached number 1 in their respective years (2003 and 2004) and netting Rain multiple awards, including a daesang (grand prize) for song of the year at the 2005 KBS Music Awards for “It’s Raining”.

US Forecast Calls for Rain

At the same time that he was establishing himself as a superstar in Korea, Rain was also making ripples and waves across the rest of the world, including America. After the release of “It’s Raining” (also the title of his third album), he embarked upon a 19-show world tour named “Rainy Day Tour”. During this tour, he held a 2-night show at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first notable K-pop act to do so, and garnered a total audience of 10,000 combined across both nights. His second world tour, the “Rain’s Coming World Tour”, also made a stop at Las Vegas’s famed Caesar’s Palace.

Music wasn’t Rain’s only successful venture in the US. In addition to his songs and concerts, he also played roles in American films as well! Already having acting experience in Korean dramas and comedies such as I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK, and Sang Doo! Let’s Go to School, his first prominent Western role came in 2008’s Speed Racer, where he played the character Taejo Tokoghan. The following year brought him his first leading role in the film Ninja Assasin where he played Raizo, an assassin looking for revenge, which netted him the 2010 MTV Movie Award for “Biggest Badass Star“. 

These works have made Rain a prominent figure in the Entertainment industry in the West during the late 2000s up until his 2011 mandatory enlistment. He most notably had an ongoing “rivalry” with famed television host Stephen Colbert (The Colbert Report, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) back in the late 2000s, which involved a humorous dance battle. This was kickstarted by Rain beating him in a Time Magazine poll for their 100 most influential people of the year (a poll he would win in 2006, 2007, and 2011). Rain also was one of the prominent musicians that performed at the closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Rain has established himself as one of K-Pop’s earliest and brightest stars, both in the East and in the West. His influence is still prevalent today, with many, many modern groups covering his songs to great appeal. He helped introduce earlier generations of Americans into the landscape of K-Pop as part of an early Korean wave of entertainment. Although he eventually left JYP Entertainment in 2007, his former label mates started making their own history across the globe not too long after… 

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Notable Tracks

• How To Avoid the Sun (태양을 피하는 방법) (2003)

• Rainism (2008)

• Switch to Me (나로 바꾸자 ) ft JYP (2021)