【English name】 Jeong Ji-Hoon

【Chinese name】郑智薰

【Best known name】 Rain

【Occupation】 Actor, Singer, Dancer

【Born】 June 25, 1982

【Birthplace】 Seoul, South Korea

【Height】 184cm

【Best known as】 The star of Full House

Personal experiences

　　Rain became interested in R&B and hip-hop dancing when he was in 6th grade. He was a member of a boy band called Fanclub. After the group disbanded (解散), Rain was still keen to continue his dancing career and entered many different auditions (试唱). Despite his talent, the singer was rejected at several auditions because he was “too ugly”. In a CNN interview, he recalled one incident where he was told, “Your dancing is great, but we’re rejecting you because you don’t have double eyelids (双眼皮).” Finally, Rain entered an audition  for a Korean entertainment company, JYP Entertainment. Park Jin Young, JYP’s CEO, became interested in the entertainer and took him under his wing.

　　Finally, in 2002 he debuted(初次登台) with the album (专辑) Rain, where he was introduced to the media through his stage or commercial name, Rain. In the album, a similarly-named single (单曲) “Bad Guy” was a big hit. After his first album, he took time off from his career as a singer to star in the drama series, Sang Doo! Let’s Go To School. Following the success of his debut as singer and actor, Rain released his second album How to Avoid the Sun, and had another hit with the title song “Ways to Avoid the Sun”.

　　In 2004, he starred in another successful drama called Full House, which would be one of the highest-rated Korean dramas of all time with ratings of over 30% for every episode (一集). It would air (播放) in many other countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, China and Japan. Through Full House, Rain gained fans across Asia. His performance in the drama also won him the Best Actor Award at the KBS Acting Awards.

Interview 

　　Rain is a multi-talented artist known for his rich deep voice, stunning (漂亮的) dance moves and acting skills. Today，we are pleased to speak with Rain.

　　Interviewer: You have toured a number of big cities in Asia, any favorites?

　　Rain: Hong Kong. It’s the home of Andy Lau, Jackie Chan and other great Chinese actors whom I am a big fan of. I would actually really like to meet them if I get a chance!

　　Interviewer: Why did you use the name Rain?

　　Rain: Before I made my debut, I was talking to my producer(制片人) about which stage name to use. He said that I give an impression of sadness when I’m dancing. So I decided on the character “Bi” which means sadness, as sad as rain falling. That’s why I chose this name.

　　Interviewer: Rain, your fan base ranges from 4 to 50 not only in Korea but the entire Asia Region. Why do you think they come to see you? To listen to your music or to watch you move?

　　Rain: If you are truthful, most people will like you. It is important to be able to say honestly if there is something that you cannot do. Just like it is important to acknowledge (承认) the things that you do well so that you can ask people to enjoy it with you. That’s my approach (方法) and I think this is why my fans like me.

　　Interviewer: You are very humble (谦虚的).

　　Rain: Thank you.

　　Interviewer: So, it’s not your good looks?

　　Rain: No, and I know it’s not the case because I remember going to auditions before my debut and I was rejected twelve times! I was told back then that the reason I was rejected was because my face was too ugly. I was even told to come back after cosmetic surgery (整容手术)!

　　In fact, I was told after one audition that my singing and dancing was great but I didn’t make it because I didn’t have double eyelids.

　　Interviewer: Rain, what were you like as a child? Were you very musical (有音乐才能的)?

　　Rain: I was very innocent (天真的) and shielded as a child so I didn’t know a lot about music or dancing. When I was in Primary Six, no one would participate in a talent show so I decided to go on. When the audience applauded(称赞) me, I felt euphoric (愉快的) and I started dancing right after that!

　　Interviewer: Were your parents very encouraging?

　　Rain: My parents were initially against it but they became supportive after a while. So there were no special obstacles (障碍) in choosing this career.

　　Interviewer: What’s the difference between acting and singing?  What if (如果……怎么样) you had to choose one ?

Rain: Acting is fun because it lets you live somebody else’s life. But you can’t  do it alone; you have to strike a harmony (融洽) with your fellow cast (演员) members. Singing, you can do well by yourself. And if I point my finger in a certain  direction when I’m onstage, thousands of people move with me, to follow  where I’m pointing. Singing, acting — I don’t want to give up either. I guess  I’m fortunate in this respect: when I get tired of acting practice, I can  always work on my dancing, and if I get tired of that, I can go practice  my singing.

　　Interviewer: I know that you’re studying English. Is it difficult?

　　Rain: I am studying a few words a day without fail. But pronunciation (发音) is still very difficult. English is something I need to do consistently and I will work towards the day when we can hold this interview in English.