Shanghai 48 hours - Full Record of Rain

Rain from Korea is here, and he brought rain with him to Shanghai. As the finale artist at the 30 day countdown to World Expo International Music concert, Rain performed in the rain, giving a real meaning to "It's Raining" at the Bund. Shanghai TV Entertainment is the exclusive media to interview Rain, our reporter witnessed his complete moves in the two days' visit. Some media reported previously that "Rain has a lot of demands on his hotel and meals", "Privately Rain is quiet without much words", "Rain fell twice during his performance". Our reporter interviewed the event coordinator Gu Yan, witnessed "48 hours of full record of Rain". We endeavor to present the true Rain to our readers.

29 March 13:20
Rain arrived at Pudong airport. Manager performed run down in advance

Rain arrived very low key and his flight details were not disclosed to the public. Gu Yan told our reporter that his manager actually arrived a day early, so as to have a complete run down of Rain's program. He checked all details first hand to be assured: from the airport to the press conference venue, the recording studio, the hotel, the concert place, the traffic, the surrounding, meals etc.

29 March 14:40
Rain onboard the press con cruise. No name appeared in the VIP room.

Rain went directly from the airport to the ferry pier. The press conference would start in about 20 minutes. Our reporter noted that there are a number of VIP rooms on the 2nd floor, each one labeled with the artist name: such as Laura Fygi (?), Vitas, Zhu Yu etc. There is only one room without a name, instead two security guards stood in front of it. A staff explained this was for security, as there are over 100 people on board the cruise.

29 March 15:20
Shooting for our magazine cover. Handshake - Cold hand.

The shooting of the magazine cover took place in a room next to Rain's VIP room. Coke, Sprite, fruits, pies, blueberry chocolate cakes were placed on the table. Our reporter learned that since 9 am in the morning when Rain has to rush to the airport in Korea, he hadn't had a proper meal yet. There were the same kinds of foods in his VIP room. Make-up time was much shorter than expected and soon Rain walked into the room. He offered his hand to the photographer, smiled as he said "Good to see you". Passionate guy, strange that his hand was so cold..

29 March 15:50
Question and Answer. Slightly restrained

Rain was the last artist to come out at the press conference. Compared to Vitas singing, and Laura Fygi's hearty laugh, our King of Asia seemed slightly restrained. He did not answer when he was asked why he didn't prepare a Chinese song like the two artists before him. During the press con, it's difficult to see his signature [Full House]smiles. Was he upset because he couldn't have a seafood meal after he landed? However in our subsequent interview we found out that Rain wasn't playing self importance, he was just tired with a day's traveling, coupled with a light make up, he looked less energetic.

29 March 16:20
Rain recording for back up. Praised for singing well.

After the press conference, Rain went straight to the TV tower for the exclusive interview with Arts & Humanity Channel program [Taste] (aired at 9 April 19.00), as well as recording the song for the performance (as a back up). His Korean staff has a simple meal before the interview – sandwich from the hotel lounge bar. Rain only drank some orange juice. They were not satisfied with the Korean translator (an university student) at the press conference, so Rain’s team arranged the CEO of a China-Korea Cultural Media company to help at the interview. The CEO, Mr. Park, told our reporter that the reply that impressed him most is "Although I am being called World Star, I feel it is still a long way for me to "conquer the world"". The subsequent recording of "We are the World" was completed within 30 minutes. According to the studio, Rain sang really well. He's the quickest to finish.

29 March 17:30
Rain returned to hotel. No seafood dinner

There was news that Rain would be staying in the Executive suite at the Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan Hotel. Our reporter learned that at the end Rain and his team of a dozen people finally stayed at Pullman Hotel Shanghai. This last minute change was also due to security concern. As expected, there were fans waiting at the Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan on 30 March failing to catch him. Rain stayed on 46 floor, an executive suite but not the presidential suite. His two security men stayed in the one bed room next to him. They would rather add a bed than being too far away from Rain. Rain's longing for an octopus seafood dinner was not fulfilled due to time constraint. He only had a buffet at the hotel which cost Rmb198.

30 March 15:15
Rain at the concert rehearsal. Didn’t care about the line up

Rain had room service for lunch, and left the hotel at 15:15 to the Bund for rehearsal. "We are the World" would be performed by 6 singers from the 5 continents. A staff informed our reporter that Rain didn't seem to care much about the line up and where he should be standing. Also, this was the first time that Rain will be singing in chorus with others. Even at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, Rain performed alone (huhuhuhu note: this is wrong). So this was really an exception for the Shanghai Expo. The interesting thing is, half way through the rehearsal it started to rain. Coco and Vitas and famous as "Rain King and Queen". There was really not much to say with Rain added to the list.

30 March 17:00
Rain to Korean restaurant. Good mood being able to take a stroll

The rehearsal went smoothly than expected. When it was over Rain requested that he wanted to have dinner at his favourite Yuliu restaurant at Jianguo Hotel. To save time, his manager contacted the hotel while traveling in the car and ordered all the dishes in advance. A translator told our reporter that Rain felt bad not having been to anywhere since he arrived Shanghai, and wanted to go out to relax. Our reporter learned from the staff at Yuliu that this is an authentic Korean cuisine restaurant. Rain would have a big meal here every time he was in Shanghai. This was the third time he came. “He loves deep fried prawns, cold seafood and abalone. Too keep fit, he drinks only barley tea while others have carbonated drinks.”

30 March 22:15
Rain performed at the Bund. Quick response to slippery floor

19:00. Rain was at the nearby Shanghai Hotel for a rest. 21:15. He arrived at the concert place and waited inside a temporarily constructed tent. Rain was very patient while waiting for over an hour. He did not insist much about heating and carpets, he only requested the crew to provide him with some towels, as he sweats a lot after his dances. The rain got heavier and heavier while Rain performed his two songs "Crazy" (huhuhuhu note: should be "Rainism") and "It's Raining". Rain slipped, but he quickly support himself with one hand and stood up immediately. If the audience is not watchful they would probably thought it was an unique dance move. His manager commented: The MV for "It's Raining" was shot in the rain. Rain is very experience about such condition. His performance would not be affected by the rain.

31 March 11:30
Rain returned home. Look forward to meeting again in June

During the 2 days Rain was in Shanghai, he traveled in a black Audi A6, not at all a high class sedan as we would have expected. He smiled and said he will return in June. He will have concert in Shanghai during the Expo, and he look forward to experiencing again "singing in the rain".

Shanghai TV Entertainment Article
Picture source: ray_lwang@rainbar.com
Translating by huhuhuhu@rainhk.com
Source: Rainhk.com