Rain reflected on how Michael Jackson influenced him following the King of Pop’s death on Thursday. “I feel so sad,” the Korean pop singer said. “I’m very sorry to hear this. To me Michael Jackson was my mentor, he was my idol. Because of him, I started dancing. He will be a legend forever. He’s a mentor to all dancers. I’m sorry to hear this. I hope he is happy in heaven.” Video of the comments at Turner.com has since been removed.
Rain Visits MTV World
South Korean pop singer Rain and former B2K star Omarion appeared during a taping of ‘MTV World Presents: Rain- Live in New York’ at the MTV Times Square Studios on Friday (February 3) in New York City. Check out pictures from FilmMagic and GettyImages.
A Strong Forecast For Korean Pop’s Rain
Deborah Sontag of The New York Times spoke with Korean singer Rain about his hopes of making a name for himself in America, a quest that begins Thursday and Friday at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. “The United States is the dominant music market,” he said through an interpreter in a recent phone interview from Seoul. “I would really like to see an Asian make it there. I would like that Asian to be me. That’s why I’m studying the language, reading up on the culture and practicing every day to correct my weaknesses.” Read more.
Can Rain Find Success In America?
Korean singer Rain is bringing his show to the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Thursday and Friday, and The New York Daily News profiled the singer’s chances on breaking the American music market. “History unfortunately suggests that Rain will have a hard road to climb,” says Jeff Yang, an Asian-market expert for consumer-strategy firm Iconoculture. “Pop music is littered with Asian stars who have tried to cross over,” among them Hong Kong’s Coco Lee and Japan’s Utada. But, says Yang, the appeal of Asian stars is growing. “If Rain is well managed by his people, with his looks and charisma and idol qualities, he really could have enough to make a difference.”
