Phoenix
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 Posted:
12.03.2008 13:12 |
Rain seeks to make his name in Hollywood
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| Quote: | 12 Mar 2008 - [The Korea Herald] Rain seeks to make his name in Hollywood
THE HIGH TIDE OF THE KOREAN WAVE
Untilpop star Rain appeared on the U.S. pop music scene at Madison SquareGarden in New York City two years ago, Korean entertainers' efforts toreach out beyond Asia were overall failures. Though the New York Times'reviewer criticized the absence of originality in his music style, manyagreed that the "Usher of Korea" showed potential to be the very firstsuccessful Korean pop star In the States, both musically andcommercially. More than 10,000 fans as well as hundreds ofmulti-national journalists participated in the two-day performance.
Twoyears after his U.S. debut, the 25-year-old singer whose real name isJung Ji-hoon is gearing up for another assault on the world's biggestentertainment market, but this time as an actor.
Recently,Jung concluded a contract with the William Morris Agency, a NewYork-based talent agency that represents entertainers such as BritneySpears, Jennifer Lopez and Russell Crowe. He has clinched a leadingrole in a Hollywood flick titled "Ninja Assassin," which is scheduledto begin shooting later this year. James McTeigue ("V for Vendetta") isplanned to direct.
In May, he will make his official Hollywooddebut with a supporting role in the Wachowski Brothers' ("The Matrix"trilogy) live-action adaptation of Japanese comic "Speed Racer."
"Actinghas always been my first love and has come very naturally to me," saidJung, who launched his acting career with Korean television drama "FullHouse" in 2004. "I wish 'Speed Racer' to be the box office No. 1, sothat I can be the first Korean actor to act in such a film," he added.
Jungbegan his singing career after releasing his first solo album, "BadGuy," in 2002, a huge success that was followed by other popularalbums. Since then, he has filled concert halls all over the globe,including those in Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, China and the Philippines.
Helaunched his acting career when he starred in the South Koreantelevision drama "Full House" in 2004. He played in popular pan-Asiansoap operas such as "Sang Doo! Let's Go to School."
In "SpeedRacer" he plays the role of the rookie racer Taejo Togokhan. He isslated to play a non-Japanese ninja in "Ninja Assassin." (Although asof last week he had not received the script due to the recent strike ofthe Writers Guild of America.)
The country's foremostentertainer who was named one of the "100 Most Influential People" byTime Magazine in 2006 and one of the "100 Most Beautiful People" a yearlater by People Magazine, Jung thinks highly of Korean entertainers'potential to succeed in the U.S. market.
"It didn't take muchtime for me to recognize that the Western film industry's affection forgenuinely Asian content is far deeper than I thought," continued Jung.
Hedebuted on the big screen last year with director Park Chan-wook's 2007Berlin International Film Festival entry "I'm a Cyborg, but That'sOkay," in which he plays an inmate of a psychiatric clinic.
Thoughmany Korean singers and actors are among the biggest celebrities inAsia, some of his Korean fans don't seem to be happy to see him act insuch Japan-themed films.
Jung also confessed that he was notable to free himself from the kind of nationalistic dilemma. "I wishthe role I was offered were as a Korean, but hey, it was like a once ina life time thing," Jung said. "I believe somebody has to open thisdoor to Hollywood for other Korean actors, actresses and filmdirectors. I'm proud that I can play this role."
According tohim, he has done his best to make his role in "Speed Racer" moreKorean-like. Initially, the name of the character he is to play was atypical Japanese one, but it became Taejo at the request of him, hesaid. "Once I get the script of 'Ninja Assassin,' there will besomething I, as a Korean actor, should try to do as well."
Thoughhe is still far better known as the singer named Rain than as JungJi-hoon, the actor, his acting has been praised by film producers andcritics here.
To him, however, acting in English was asawkward as a right-handed person eating with his left hand, he said. "Istill have difficulties with English, but I'm working on it veryintensively, so you may expect to see me act as natural as a nativespeaker in my future films," said Jung whose favorite film is"Scarface" (1983).
"When I first saw Al Pacino in the film, I,for the first time in my life, thought that I wanted to be like anotherperson," he recalled.
Making his Hollywood debut doesn't meanthat he has decided to stop singing. Recently he recoded a new versionof the '70s hit "Kung Fu Fighting" for this summer's release of DreamWorks animation "Kung Fu Panda." He is also scheduled to participate invarious musical events related to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"I'ma huge fan of Michael Jackson. I was under his great influence when Iwas younger, but I dream of fascinating the world with performances asmagical and charming as his," he said. His dance style, according toJung, combines Michael Jackson's moonwalk with martial-arts elements,but he always develops his own choreography because he doesn't want tolook like an American singer.
"I have a vision about Koreanpop music in the global market. As an actor or a singer, I'd love tohelp promote the image of Korea through what I'm doing." It takes bothtalent and hard work to be successful in the entertainment industry,and of course Jung recognizes it quite well.
When asked togive advice to younger entertainers who dream to be stars, Jung praiseddiscipline and a good work-ethic. "Hard work will give you extra talentsomeday. Your talent cannot be fully developed if you didn't workhard."
By Lee Yong-sung
(danlee-heraldm.com)
credit to: FanRain/Rain bar
source:rainhk
found on: soompi |
_________________
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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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