Let it Rain - Canada.com

TORONTO - The Korean-born Rain might be an emerging talent in the Hollywood but the singer-dancer's already a certified pop star in Asia, selling millions of CDs and playing to sold-out stadiums.

Maybe that's why the 27-year-old is taking aim at a new challenge - the English-speaking film world.

First, he played Racer Taejo Togokahn in The Wachowski Brothers' Speed Racer last year. And now he's the headliner in the Wachowski-produced chop-socky flick Ninja Assassin opening on Wednesday.

In the movie, Rain plays Raizo, a martial arts super hero raised as an orphan by a ninja clan of hired killers. When he tries to escape their cult- like extremism he's tracked down by his former "brothers and sisters" bent on eliminating him just as their organization is being investigated.

Martial arts confrontations are interspersed with violent R-rated action, all calling for Rain as Raizo to be in top form.

"I had to be prepared," reports Rain on a promotional stop in Toronto recently. "That means I worked out for eight months, five days a week for eight hours a day, and I practised the martial arts movements, as well."

He also did sword training, and lots more double chain work featured prominently in the film. And yes, Rain admits, he was injured a few times with cuts and bruises during the shoot in Berlin. but never seriously.

He did all this in between recording and touring, but he maintains the extra effort was worth it. "It's a great opportunity," he agrees.

Growing up in Seoul, Korea, Rain aka: Jeong Ji-hun, was a self-described shy child but always looking for opportunities. He had a passion for dancing "like my idol Michael Jackson."

In school, he won a few talent shows and was subsequently enrolled in an arts school where he received training in acting, singing and dancing.

He managed a few gigs as a backup dancer, but by 2002 he decided to try a solo singing career. His debut album as Rain was called, Bad Guy, and was a hit. He followed that up with a starring role in an Asian TV series, Let's Go To School, and a second album, How To Avoid The Sun, firmly cementing his rising star status. Two years later, Rain was famous across Asia and co-staring in the popular drama Full House, opposite Korean star Song Hye Kyo.

His third album, It's Raining, hit the million mark in Asia and his fourth CD, Rain's World, in 2006, surpassed his previous sales. By 2007, he was thinking about getting into acting again, this time in Hollywood.

So how did the Wachowski Brothers find him for Speed Racer?

"I auditioned for them, and they liked me, I guess, " says Rain smiling.

Ninja director and longtime Wachowskis' collaborator James McTeigue liked Rain, too. While working with him on Speed Racer, McTeigue recommended Rain for the lead role in the Wachowskis' martial arts flick.

As luck and timing would have it, the Wachowskis decided to give the Ninja Assassin directing assignment to McTeigue and produce the picture instead.

"I love them," says Rain of the Wachowskis, who are best known for The Matrix films. "They have amazing abilities to make dreams come true. It is my honour to know them."

In fact, he says he would do a Ninjas 2, if the box office warrants it.

"I would do another and why not? I think this is going to be huge," Rain says.

He's ready and able to live in two different worlds; as a pop star in Asia and a movie star in Hollywood.

"I liked Jet Li as much as Michael Jackson when I was young," he says.

Although, he confesses he might not have the same sort of martial arts devotion as a Bruce Lee.

"For Ninja Assassin, I tried to make my body fit like Bruce Lee, so I worked out and ate only chicken breasts and vegetables," he says. "When I finished my movie, there were no more workouts, no more chicken breasts and no more vegetables."

That means no more martial arts movies for now, but he does have some other movie offers.

"I have three screenplays but I don't know what I will do next," insists Rain. "One is a romance, the second is action and the other is a horror film."
© Copyright © Canwest News Service

Source: http://www.canada.com/Rain/2257238/story.html
Credit : rainalice / rainlegend