Phoenix
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Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 19477
Location: Germany
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 Posted:
20.08.2008 08:28 |
31 July 2008 - Jung Ji-hoon, From The Eyes of Yu Nan
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| Quote: | dsl99a's note:
This article is based on the perspective of Chinese actress Yu Nan who acted as Taejo's sister in <Speed Racer>. Rain and Yu Nan fostered a rather close relationship during their time working in Berlin together. Very interesting to read!
31 July 2008 - Jung Ji-hoon, From The Eyes of Yu Nan
*Jung Ji-hoon, From The Eyes of Yu Nan: Rain, Just Like A Kid*
Before filming <SR>, it was while I was at the Berlin Film Festival in February of that year when I started appreciating the charm of Rain. This big kid who just filmed his very first movie seemed to gain more public attention than the famous Korean director Park Chan-wook; he even became a part of the circle of the best actors around. Rain came to Berlin to promote for a few days and left shortly after because of his preparation for the Shanghai concert. After he left on the 2nd day I bumped into Song Hye-kyo; while we chit-chatted we even talked about him.
Half a year later when we met at the movie studio in Berlin, the reserved Asian side of me caused an awkward moment between me and Rain, not knowing how to greet one another, just a simple "Hi".
It wasn't until break time after the shooting of the 1st match scene when I 'launched an attack upon my own initiative'. "Hi, I'm Yu Nan." I never thought that the single-eyelid, boyish-faced person before me would reply so sincerely, "Hi, I'm Rain, I recognize you! Mr. Park (Park Chan-wook) always told me how amazing <Tuya's Wedding> is, where can I see that movie?"
Rain's speaking voice is very cute, very lively, unlike when he sings and it sounds so manly. Before going to Berlin I got one of my friends to download some songs onto my i-Pod. Don't know whether my friend did it intentionally or not, but there were a few songs that were of Rain. So when I was getting my make-up done I hooked my music up to a portable player and played the music aloud. As the play list went on, pretty soon it came to a track with a prelude of "I'm Back, It's Rain...". At this point Rain, who was sitting nearby me getting his make-up done, suddenly turned around and shyly pointed to the portable player and said to me, "That voice is me." And there I was, originally being playful but then started feeling slightly uneasy, I started laughing hard.
*He Acts Like Leslie Cheung*
When I look at Rain act I can then understand what is called 'self-confidence'. His experience in movies are not bountiful but he is rich in on-stage performances, so even when his acting would not turn out too smoothly, he still did it very well. Based on our impressions big stars who are singers can also act rather well, just like how Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui were, isn't that so? (Deb's note: they were big stars in HK particularly in the 80s and 90s)
When rehearsing with Rain, it doesn't matter who's leading who, it just feels like family, no sense of distance. Sometimes before we begin shooting, the lines instructor whom Rain and I 'share' would say to me, "I noticed just now that Rain's a little nervous." As soon as he stands in front of the green screen, his performance is absolutely 1st-class, he uses self-confidence to conceal any anxiety. But this does not hinder his earnestness. In between shooting you will see him sitting in the corner by himself, repeating and memorizing his English lines word-for-word.
For both of us this was our first Hollywood movie, even with so many big-name stars on location like Susan Sarandon, John Goodman and Christina Ricci, there were no assistants. Everyone served themselves during meals, even shooting scenes on the streets required no bodyguards. Sometimes in the afternoons everyone would sit by the river eating pizza. It was just me and Rain who each had a single-staff entourage to handle contractual businesses.
*He Is A Superstar As Well As A Kid*
Rain is really a big kid! He always said how much he thought of Asia, how much he wanted to eat Korean food. I told him that there was a Korean family-style restaurant in Berlin that wasn't too bad. A few days later in the hotel lobby he said to me, "I went to eat at that place you recommended, the kimchi there is not made in its original way, today I found an even better place!"
One time I asked him, "Do you know how to speak Chinese?" What I eventually heard was "Hi everyone, I'm Rain, hope everyone likes me!" (Deb's note: he's speaking in Mandarin at this point) I laughed as these were things that he had to learn for the concert. Suddenly he just looked at me intently, "Do people actually like me in China?" I quickly answered him, "You are HUGE in China!" He smiled with great satisfaction, just like a kid.
I have an 'intimate' understanding of just how huge Rain is. Before going to Berlin, the girls from my company urged me not to forget to ask for his autograph. I had an unconventional idea of bringing along 3 camisoles with me. When I first got to the crew I was anxious, not knowing what Rain would've thought if he saw me with these things. On the 3rd day, I braced myself and knocked on his trailer door, "I've a few 'sisters' who would like your autograph..." "Sure, anything, just give them to me!" I handed over those camisoles, he had a surprised expression on his face, "What do I do with this..."
The superstar that's on my mind doesn't let people around him feel that he's a star; warm, lovable, gifted...the Rain in my eyes is this kind of Superstar.
****END****
Source: Shenjiang Service Review
Credit: Cloud China & Baidu Rainbar
Translation: dsl99a-Rain-USA & SexyBi |
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www.rainjihoon.com
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www.twitter.com/rainjihoon
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http://cafe.rain-jihoon.com/phoenix
 
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