"It's a miracle"

As Rain (Jung Ji Hoon) became a movie star, he is demonstrating a deep relationship with the city of Berlin. He stepped onto its red carpet with his debut movie 'I'm a Cyborg, but it's Okay' and his Hollywood debut movie 'Speed Racer' was shot in Berlin. As Money Today Star News reaches its 3rd anniversary (September, 1st) we had a special interview with Rain in Berlin who is currently shooting 'Speed Racer'.
Rain, who we are seeing in 2 months, was bright and happy. The only thing he said, was that after living in Berlin who over 2 months, he is missing Korea badly. He also wishes to return quickly to the country due to his managing company and other issues in Korea that is waiting to be sorted out.
Rain arrived in America, LA on the 15th of June, and arrived in Germany on the 1st of July, where he is now, shooting his movie. He is expected to be able to return about the coming 28th.
This interview with Rain began on his free day, Sunday at lunch (19th- German time), and progressed for a long period of time over restaurants, cinemas and cafes until evening.


• "Speed Racer" is the movie that will give me many opportunities"

Rain's anticipations on 'Speed Racer' were very high. His faith in the directors (the Wachowski brothers) was great and Rain displayed his confidence by saying "As soon as the we started filming, I was able to see that this was going to be an incredible movie."
"This movie is expected to be released in 167 countries. Before I started filming, I hoped that there would be at least one scene that would be explosive, but that was needless. My role in the film was also extended a lot during filming. At the moment, I am feeling very good and my condition is also great."
At the start, Rain's appearance in the movie was only for 30 minutes, but the Wachowski brothers created extra scenes that lacked Rain's charisma and extended it to about 40-50 minutes. Rain's english skills are still at 'learning off by heart' levels, but Rain's pronunciation was good, so he was never criticized once about his english.
When Rain was enquired about his impressions of appearing in a Hollywood movie he replied 'I was able to feel the power of capital strength' referring to the strength of the movie budget of $300 million dollars.
According to Rain, this huge movie with a staff of 400, can be successfully shot in the short period of 3 months. This can be done by using a total of 12 cameras at the same time for one scene, and right after the shooting CG (computer graphics) can be made straight away, and therefore reduce the length of the movie shoot.
'This movie will demonstrate the height and extremes of CG skills. The buildings, race cars are all CG. The people are also even all scanned beforehand so that when extras are needed they can be made at the spot with CG. However, it can sometimes be a bit difficult and awkward trying to act without any objects, but I am having fun shooting the movie."
Rain in 'Speed Racer' holds the key to resolve the complications involved in the movie , and is the Asian racer 'Taejo Togokkan. Rain is receiving greatly appropriate treatment for a ' upcoming Hollywood star'.
Rain also displayed both anticipation and confidence that this movie, which is signaling the start of his debut into America, will open many opportunities for him. Rain is really, currently, receiving offers from other Hollywood movies and has also been offered the main male character role of One Top.
Rain is posing in front of the 'Theatre Am Potsdamer Platz' cinema, where he stepped on the red carpet during the movie festival in February.

• "Asia, the new ripples in America's popular culture"

Rain said "Now, the core of America's popular culture is Asia" and has looked out for the increased activity of Asian stars. In addition, he has gathered expectations that he will be able to succeed in the American market, in which no Asian was able to succeed before as a pop star.
In the past in America, even until when Elvis Presley was receiving popularity, no-one would of thought that a black artist would be able to appear on the Billboard charts. However Tupac succeeded and now black singers who taking up half of the Billboard. Following the black artists were Ricky Martin and Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and many others who made Latin pop music the centre. The speculation is that the ones who will be following these artists will be from Asia. Celebrities such as Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat are examples of Asian stars who are successful enough to be able to be cast as lead characters in One Top movies.
"To think that Asians will not be able to do it is a restriction. It is something that someone will have to do. If it is not me, my juniors can, and if they can't, then I hope that my junior's junior will be able to do it. If we keep on hitting against that closed door, there will be a day when it will open, or if not, we can smash it down."
Rain is planning to release an album in America with the release of his movie 'Speed Racer' next year. As the movie is released and the album is released, it is seen that there will be a natural multiplier effect. The rough release time of 'Speed Racer' is next year June~July. Rain is planning to release his American album next year around September. For this, Rain is currently in discussions with two large American producers about an album contract.
With the music of America's top producers and by grafting it together with the sensitivity of Korea, Rain has declared next year as the 'Year of Judgement' and is preparing for all the many things to come.
"I think that the fact that I was one of 'Times 100' last year or chosen for 'People' 'Most Beautiful 100 people' this year was all due to my fans' strength and support. However next year I will receive real judgement with my new movie and my first album. Like the saying 'Be full with your first wine' I do not dream of huge success at the start. I would like to think that I have taken on a challenge."
Even while saying so, Rain said, "What happens if 'Speed Racer' at the same time comes first in the box office?" displaying slight confidence with his joke. As Rain is currently in the middle of important times for his American debut, for the meantime he is planning to concentrate and absorb himself into his American work. Due to this, an official album in Korea is not planned until next year.
• "If I had a girlfriend... The financial management is my father's job"

Rain said in a past TV show that "On Christmas Eve, I want to kiss on the footpath" and when he was asked 'Do you have that kind of woman now' Rain replied "I would like to have a girlfriend" which was a different and unexpected answer from the first statement. For his goals, Rain had to gave up his personal life to advance strongly.
"I would like to have a woman who would hold me strongly. Someone comfortable like a big sister, free and easy and someone who can have fun and play around...It's good if she's pretty. If she's pretty and nice, that's even better. I would really like it if she was simple and plain. If you know this kind of woman can you please introduce me to her?" (laughs)
Rain received a guarantee of $5 million dollars for his world tour and has raised his income considerably with his CF earnings for the last couple of years. Rain said "Compared to those at my age, I have earned a lot. I am rich. I have done what I had dreamt of."
However, Rain practiced dance for several days while starving, and slept for one or two hours practicing to get to his position today. The money that he has earned now, is an appropriate result and payment of his starvation, sweat and tears.
During Rain's high school years, when he was living in a tiny two bedroom house, he said that there was an incident when he had drunk a glass of water in the dark while not aware there was a cockroach in it. At the time he spat the cockroach out and while spilling tears he said, "In 10 years, I will present a house with a backyard as a gift to my parents" and set an enormous goal at the time for himself. Finally after a period of 7 years, Rain was able to fulfill his dream. He purchased a house with a backyard in Seoul's Samsungdong last year.
"It is an excessive house. I am content and happy even looking at it. I especially like it that my father is pleased with it and is very proud of it."
Rain is very careful at touching his big money at this yet young age and since he still has many things to do, he says that this is his father's job.
As Rain concluded his interview he asked again to look forward to his projects that will be released in America next year.
"I am appearing in a Hollywood movie for the first time, and it is a very hard job as there is a big weight upon me, but everyone looked at me and said that it was a miracle. Next year my American album will come out, and when they are good results, please encourage and support me a lot."

Source: Starnews