Rain Testifies at Trial; Still Wants to Perform

The Korean singer and actor known as Rain is now starring in his own real-life legal drama. The star took the stand on Monday to testify in his federal trial over a canceled Hawaii concert as eager fans flooded the courtroom.

Rain arrived at courthouse wearing a dark suit and sunglasses. He said "Aloha" and flashed a shaka but didn't answer questions. At the entrance, he was served with legal papers for a lawsuit in California. The entertainer let the document fall to the ground. A promoter in Los Angeles is suing for fraud and breach of contract over a 2007 concert at the Staples Center that was canceled just hours before the show. It was part of the same world tour that was supposed to include a performance at Aloha Stadium.

"The issue is whether Rain and his company, who was his agent as his time, are responsible for these losses or whether other parties who were involved are responsible," explained Eric Seitz, the attorney for the plaintiff, Hawaii-based Click Entertainment.
Seitz said his client paid more than $1 million in licensing fees and other costs for a concert that never happened. Dozens of die-hard fans showed up to watch the drama unfold in court." It's kind of difficult to take your eyes off of him but just trying to pay attention to what he was saying was important," said fan Audra Tumulak of Mililani.

Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji Hoon, told the jury through an interpreter he was sorry about what happened and said, "I really wanted to perform in Hawaii because I was told there were many fans in Hawaii."

Rain said he did not make the decision to cancel. He was told it had to be called off because the stage custom built for his fireworks and waterfall was not secure. "I believed his reasons and he says he wants to come back to Hawaii and hold a concert here so I'm hoping they say he has to," said fan Elaine Ikeda of Kaimuki.

Rain told the jury he still hopes to perform in Hawaii but the company that is suing him said it's too late.

"That offer has never been made, and unfortunately now we've incurred enormous expenses so although he expressed a willingness and desire to come back and perform it's a little bit late for that to happen," said Seitz.

Video Credit: rainyonme@youtube.com
Credit: rain bird@rain-eu.com