"Rain, The age 27 means a re-beginning"

Rain, "The age 27 means a re-beginning from scratch to me"

Q - You appeared on an entertainment program as soon as you made a comeback. How does it feel.

Rain - I think there’s been a change in my attitude. It was comfortable than before.

Q - You appeared on entertainment programs during your 4th album also.

Rain - I did. But people around me still ask why I appear on such programs.

Q - P eople must be feeling uneasy with you as you earned the title 'World star'.

Rain - I try to do as much activities as I can, but maybe it doesn’t seem like it to others.

"I’m a weird guy in the Hollywood filmmaking scene"

Q - Your appearance in Hollywood was quite fast.

Rain - Back then I thought my future was more important than money. I thought I wouldn't have another chance.

Q - How did the audition go.

Rain - There's 2 cameras. With my short English, I said "I can do it, trust me. Please. (Laughter) But that must have looked cute.

Q - Naomie Harris said she's "never seen anyone work so hard before" on 'MBC Special'.

Rain - But I like that. It usually takes 2~3 days to do something in U.S, but it's done in a day in Korea.

Q - Was that necessary.

Rain - It’s a battlefield. I was well known after that. For hardworking. Just at that time the Wachowski brothers were making "Ninja Assassin" and they needed the main character to overwork their body to bring out the physical abilities. So they chose me.

"If there’s going to be "I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK 2", I would like to participate."

Q - The workout you’ve been doing for "Ninja Assassin" was something that can bring out the extremes of physical abilities.

Rain - Right. They made me do physical workout and not only muscular workout. Hollywood demanded that. That is what the movie needed.

Q - But the roles you play in "Speed Racer" or "Ninja Assassin" are typecast. It’s a strong character.

Rain - They’ll be all sorts of responses after its release, and I’ll be making another challenge based on that critique. I wish to step towards those who have supported me before that time comes.

Q - So maybe the movie "I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK" means a lot to you. The shooting was hard, but I was able to devote myself purely to acting.

Rain - If there’s going to be "I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK 2", I would like to participate.

"I think I know what dancing is now. I want to make a movie on dancing"

Q - Didn't your list of choice become wider in Korea.

Rain - Right. I want to star in a dance movie before I grow old.

Q - Your dances at the showcase was as if acting different characters freely.

Rain - I know it’s always 'Oh, I’m trying my best, and I'm going to conquer.' (Laughter) So I wanted to show a free side.

Q - Before you showed powerful dances but now you show restrained movement.

Rain - Before, there were lots of exposing and powerful performances, and this time, I thrived for the beauty of restraint.

Q - 'Rainism' isn’t a kind song itself also. Isn't it made for performance.

Rain - First I thought of what makes Rain, Rain. Rainism is just that. I just wanted to give an expression 'wow, Rain is the greatest on stage'. 'Love story' is a easy listening song so I classified the visual from the listening.

"In a way, is my first album."

Q - Did you want to show who Rain was, rather than a big hit on the album.

Rain - This album is a scarce opportunity that I had, which I could do anything I want. The release of my movie and the English album has been postponed... So since I had songs I had been preparing for a year, I thought why not release an album I produced. It's my first album in a way.

Q - JYP said that Rain has really never made a hit with his song.

Rain - I think what he really meant was distorted. I can't just think of the Korean market. So I made this choice considering which parts I can bring to the extreme. It’s now or never.

Q - So you are a sport even when you are free.

Rain - Right. I like talking so much that I would like to try for an MC later on.

Q - Don't you think people could hate you for trying to be good in everything?

Rain - I’m the type that says "hook me up with someone, I’m lonely", but I can't just say "I’m lonely" to not hear "that guy is full of spirit even there." That's faking it.

Q - Don’t you have to catch your breath.
Rain - I rest when I have to. Every time during an interview people ask me "how's it feel to become global?", "Shouldn't you live your life more comfortably now?". But I'm already living comfortably.

Q - And you sleep 4 hours? (Laughter)

Rain - Not really. (Laughter) My worries in 'Knee Ascetic' was how I could "meaningfully spend my 20s". I want to go on a date, hold hands with my girlfriend.

"Honor is important to me. That is my proof."

Q - What's your motivation to move on, giving up all that.

Rain - Starvation. In high school, no one lent me their hand when I was starving. Only JYP did. That is why I started to sing, and why I stand alone.

Q - That starvation sounds more like recognition and love than tangible things.

Rain - Right. Honor is important. That is my proof.

Q - Now you are responsible for everything for that honor.

Rain - I have to. It is a burden. But that is 'my way.' I wanted to test myself. Could I do well? Maybe not. There will be failures. But the challenge must go on.

Q - What does the age 27 mean to you, responsible for all that.

Rain - I've just become more abundant than before, but it’s a restart from scratch. I'm making my go again.

Q - Again? You always seem to start from the beginning.

Rain - I've made it this far, always thinking of a year later. I could have fell if I was satisfied with how far I came. That's my life.

Q - When you reached your goal, and can no longer maintain your physical status as a super entertainer, what do you wish to do?

Rain - Family. And with the money I saved, I want to build a school and support the kids who don’t have enough money to learn singing and dancing, just like my youth. I don’t know how it’ll work out, but that is another goal after my 40s.

Credit: T magazine
Translation credit: rain bird@rain-eu.com