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Korean Popstar Rain to Star in Ninja Assassin
My wife has become obsessed with Asian culture. She actually KNEW who this Rain guy was as soon as I told her. Apparently if I watched more Stephen Colbert, I would too. However, I hesitate to get excited about any role that is taken up by a popstar. Even if it is a Wachowskis’ movie called Ninja Assassin. Too me anything with the Wachowski’s and the name Ninja Assassin just screams a sure win to me.
South Korean pop star Rain has landed a leading role in Larry and Andy Wachowski’s Ninja Assassin, reports Variety.Tentatively scheduled to shoot from March to July in Berlin, the Warner Bros. film will be produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowski’s, with V For Vendetta helmer James McTeigue likely to direct.
It looks like this guy has a supporting role in the Wachowski version of Speed Racer, so perhaps they saw some potential in him that I jump to the conclusion that he wont have.
With a little background checking on this guy, I am surprised I had never heard of him. He made Time Magazine’s online user poll for most influential people who shape our world, although he was not in the magazine’s actual list. I am thinking a horde of crazy Korean fans and a few side orders of the internets might have shaped that result.
So is an unknown popstar in a staring movie role BETTER than a known popstar getting a starring movie role?
Edit: My wife now informs me that he was in a Korean RomCom called “I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK”. I actually think I have a little more respect for him. That title is awesome!
he is super famous in the asian culture. he’s done tons of korean drama series and a few movies i believe. if u ask any asian girl out there and they will know who he is.
the wachowskis are dreadful and I hope after the apalling looking speed racer tanks they can fuck off back into their bedrooms and go back to reading comics and playing video games.
quite possibly ther most over rated film makers the world has ever seen.
He is a great actor- at least to me he seemed like a good one in korean drama called A love to kill( very deep story). He also played in Full House(korean drama) and in he did great. I actually like his acting skills more than singing:) ( his voice is nice, but not my style of music:))
Wish him all the best;)
hes a orient upstart but not a first line yet.
its just funny they choosed a korean to play a ninja(japanese warrior).
lest hope this dont have the same end as Memoirs of a geisha whe they pick a chinese actress to play the geisha and the film stuck!
Yeah, after Cho in Star Trek, another Korean who plays a Japanese. Hollywood must really be out of Japanese actors these days. Or they just don’t give a crap who they cast, as long as it’s Asian. ‘Coz they all look like Jackie Chan anyway, don’t they.
Also, Rain was great in “I’m a cyborg…”. Which, BTW, is about patients in a mental hospital, not cyborg wars or anything.
Rain was cool in “I’m a cyborg…” i didn’t even know he was a singer when i saw that.
And Alfie, did you really think that after you saw the matrix part 1?
I am not asian but i know him because i have seen his three dramas and his movie I’m A Cyborg But That’s Ok, which by the way is about mental patients and you can check out at crunchyroll.com…anyways, he is actually a pretty good actor. He started out as a singer but he also made his transition as an actor with his dramas, and he does it very well…i am actually looking forward to this movie, more so that speed racer that’s for sure..the only thing that worries me is that i hope he has been improving his english o.O
I guess if all you follow is hollywood then yeah you wouldn’t know who Rain is though he did have a show in New York once I think.
No one said he would BE the ninja, just that the movie was called Ninja Assasin.
Its like saying Jacketcoat. Somewhat redundant. I thought all ninjas were assassins.
“James McTeigue likely to direct.”
That’s all I needed to be excited, freakin’ loved V for Vendetta.
He rocks in both movies and concert! I watched his interviews and he seems to be a very hard worker too. I will def look forward to the movie.
He actually DID make the actual list in Time magazine for most influential people in the world. But in 2006, and he was no. 1 online in 2007.
He’s not just a popstar. He’s also been acting for quite awhile. Your presumptions about him are kind of screwed.
My presumptions about him are accurate. He is a popstar turned to movies. He has been in ONE movie. The rest were TV shows, and not very popular ones. And until his bit part in the upcoming Speed Racer and then finally this Ninja Assassin, none of them have been North American productions.
The very population and the power of the internet is what drove the online voting as “most influential” It was a popularity contest and with Rain’s popularity in Asian countries, are you suprised that they tipped the scales?
The fact remains that I will hold him in the same regard as any other popstar who has a movie under their belt and go from there. Right now he is no better than Madonna or Britney Spears in my eyes. Time will tell.
not very popular tv series? wth? what is your definition of popular? cos this boy got 33% of tv viewers in korea watchiing his show, more than 80% of thais, 20% of japanese, 65% in singapore, and not to mention phillipines, vietnam, and cambodia
And that still makes him a big nobody in North America, which is what these movies he is currently in are targeted at.
No offense, but he is barely crossing over and hasn’t proven himself yet. He might be the next big star, but frankly unless he is a martial arts expert (which I hear he is average at best) then he likely wont accomplish much. Sad but true.
You’re right Rodney, Rain is a nobody in North America but you might want to at least watch that one movie of his or some of his TV work before you make any presumptions of his acting ability regardless of his popstar status.
how can he be a star in america when these US films haven’t even been released yet. Ninja Assassin still in pre-production? it’s early days.
Martial Arts may have opened the doors in Hollywood for Asian actors for the likes of Jet & Jackie– but I’d like to think Hollywood has moved on by now.Sure, it’s important to be able to make the moves to seem competent doing MA on screen but one doesn’t have to be expert(look at Jason Stathan since working with Corey Yuan & Jet).Besides, which Jet & Jackie were stereotyped in only doing those roles & hardly anything else. I think Rain can do more. Also, about time Hollywood develops a true Asian leading man.
it could be Rain– maybe not– but give him time & the chance. he may surprise us all.
one thing is sure– once Ninja is about to be release– Rain won’t be ‘unknown’ in America (or anywhere else) as the PR machinery for this film will be in full throttle. the producers & Warners will make sure of that.
He’ll be a bonafide Asian international star.
Rodney, you see … your wife remind this guy after seeing the Colbert show. True: women really likes him !!! I’m not asian at all, but still noticed him; he has something that other asian guys don’t have … maybe sexiness? Of course, it’s because I’m interested by asian culture that I discovered him. Anyone that pretend to know asian culture cannot ignore this guy. He is well famous throughout Asia, not only in Korea. Even japanese are crazy about him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GpkEJcn8KM&feature=related
I read that Joel Silver noticed him in Tokyo in 2006, where Rain was in the same hotel and lots of crazy fans and journalists were following him.
I think that it’s about time for an asian artist to emerge in our western world and Rain could the one, since he’s a multitalented artist. At university, he didn’t only studied dancing and singing but also acting. I saw all his dramas and, of course, the Park Chan-wook’s movie I’m a Cyborg, but it’s OK. He’s a versatile actor. As a singer and dancer, he gives an energetic and hot performance.
Just wait and see. Are we ready for an asian in something else than the stereotypes that we attempt them to stay in? I believe the young generation is more open minded and ready for it.
Like Alexis said, Rain may surprise us all.
Look buddy – dunno how you see this world, but there is actually more than one country on it.
Rain has swept the whole of Asia in the past few years – everyone knows him on the other side of the planet.
Just because you don’t know him doesn’t mean he doesn’t have talent.
He happens to be an amazing actor, fighter, singer, and dancer. And he is the most hardworking celebrity you will see out there.
Please don’t judge on something you know nothing about.
“The rest were TV shows, and not very popular ones.”
FULL HOUSE was the most popular tv show in all of Asia – you dunno what you’re talking about!
“none of them have been North American productions.”
Why do things have to be produced in North America to make an influence in this world? He rocked half of the world, isn’t that enough?
He is a GREAT actor.. IMO better than his dancing and singing. But most people put prominence in his dancing and his “sexiness”. I just admire him for.. being him.
I do know what I am talking about.
Just because he is popular in Asia doesnt mean squat in Hollywood. The acting styles and the very qualities that make someone popular in Asia are completely different in Hollywood.
My wife watches a LOT of shows from Taiwan, Japan and China (subtitled) and she loves them all. I watch them and it looks like silly childrens cartoons with their over acting and silly facial expressions. I still don’t get what she finds so fascinating about it as most of it makes me say “wtf”
One culture’s “popular” doesn’t automatically mean he will be popular here.
Time will tell.
Rain is awesome! Very sensational and he is a true artist…
Your right about the concert in Madison Square Garden… The tickets were actually sold out can you believe that?
He is a genius.
You will be know that may be after a couple of years .. I think.
“Just because he is popular in Asia doesnt mean squat in Hollywood. The acting styles and the very qualities that make someone popular in Asia are completely different in Hollywood.”
…well, it actually means squat that Rain is popular in Asia. If he weren’t oh-so-popular in Asia, Hollywood wouldn’t have given him a try. How else would a Korean native get his foot in the door when he’s simply not from the States?? A Hollywood movie starring one of the Asian’s most recognized star is almost a guaranteed hit in Asian countries. Regardless of his acting skills (which I think is way better than some of the better known Hollywood actors), his movies are going to be watched. He has a very loyal fan base out there in Asia – which differentiates American stars and Asian ones.
You’re saying tha acting styles are completely different?? How so? Asian audience laugh and cry from watching American movies. My non-Asian friends find Korean comedy hilarious. There are some cultural barriers where you need some translation and understanding but acting is acting afterall. As a theatre major, I find little difference when it comes to acting.
As far as the qualities that make someone popular goes…I think you simply don’t get it. Rain is popular in Asia for the very similar reasons why some of the singer turned actor gained recongnition in the States. He’s got the looks, dancing/singing skills, and he actually can act. If he were American, born in the States, doing what he’s done exactly the same way, I bet he would’ve made it here too. He’s received acting awards in Korea for god sake.. Do you think Korean entertainment industry just gives out awards to everyone? It means something and it is an honor. What are the qualities that make someone popular here? Isn’t the entertainment industry all about the talent, timing, and good PR? Asian countries are no different. I mean, REALLY not different.
yeah! show him what you got!
Korean American. I have watched a LOT of Asian tv shows and cinema thanks to my wife’s obsession with it.
I get it. Its just a totally different style that requires totally different tastes and preferences. Its a culturally thing just as much as it is a style thing.
My wife cackles with glee while I try to figure out why its funny. It isnt the same appeal. And it isnt the same as North American audiences.
Also, Rain is not starring in this movie, he is a supporting actor. In fact the character he plays was never in any previous version of Speed Racer. He was invented for this movie and plays a minor role as “just another racer” with similiar motives to Speed Racer.
This is Rain’s dress rehearsal for American audiences.
…rain is the best thing some of you will ever lay your eyes on…stop the non sense and let the man do things none of you will ever be able to stop….started off as a back dancer( one of the best)…sucess at every role he has played…beyond self control ( no stupid scandals)..and last but not least…exotic and different…beyond explainable talent..huge fan base ( for the ones that write dumb comments about him not being very famous)…. waste of time writing a blog for people who are ignorant and stupid!!
whether you would know it or not RAIN is the best.!!!!
@Lmao
No one said he wasn’t famous. He isn’t famous HERE.
And consider that David Hasselhoff gets laughed at for Baywatch and Knight Rider these days yet he is still a MEGA STAR everywhere else in the world?
Rain has to prove himself just like everyone else. And if he cannot fit into the North American Hollywood driven market, then he will fail. Just because he is big in Korea and other Asian countries, doesnt mean a thing to Hollywood.
We are not ignorant because we do not know who he is. He has no presence here. The bit part he got in Speed Racer didn’t show the world any of his potential. He was a glorified extra.
Time will tell.
*He isn’t famous HERE*
I think you should rephrase it..He’s NOT YET that famous..But admit it, he’s starting to make noise..Come on, the spotlight wasn’t on him in Speedracer. It was just his debut and he was not the lead character. But if you try to check out Youtube, almost half of the comments were actually about him. That, considering he’s only got a supporting role.
What’s good about him is that he doesn’t only specialize at one thing.. He can act, sing, and dance…If he won’t succeed in acting, he can still resort to doing pop so his chance of making it big is greater.
And if after it all, the International market still doesn’t recognize him, Asia will be more than happy to welcome him back..
he’s a awesome singer, dancer and actor.
in my opinion the right guy for a great movie
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What was that????
He’s not famous HERE??!!???
Here???? Where??????
Asian Americans are not Americans???????
Trust me, Rain is very famous “HERE”!!
Forgive me Star, but I have been writing within popular North American media for 8 years now and until just earlier this year this guy was NEVER on my radar.
He is not popular “here” (north America) unless you are somehow tied to some sort of Asian media. Until Speed Racer he has never been in an American produced show or movie, and even in Speed Racer he was insanely minor.
Just because YOU know who he is and like him doesn’t mean he is an American household name.
First time I watched “Full House” and we got hooked. very funny and wholesome. I learned to love Korean culture eventhough it was my first time to learn about “Rain”. Rain’s acting in “Full House” was awesome. I hope he’ll make it in North America. Now, I’m trying to find out other movies by Rain. Never got hooked with any movie stars before, why got hooked with “Rain” means I liked what Rain did, so got to check some Asian stores for Rain’s other movies.
try let’s go sang doo. it is a series but it’s great
O’k Rodney, I’m not Asian neither American (Mexican actually) and let me tell you that if you don’t hear about a recognized actor as Rain is because you don’t look for variety or you may lack of knowledge in your writing , have you heard about this good and Hollywood recognized actors? Mario Moreno Cantinflas, Dolores Del Rio, Katy Jurado, Pedro Armendariz just to mention them?, you may know the recent ones like Salma Hayek (who personally don’t have a great talent just a good body and pretty face no good acting skills), Ana de la Reguera Good actress, Diego Luna and Gael Garcia, and maybe you know those because they have been in Hollywood movies in the last few years, well my point is please research a little bit more Rain was given the opportunity to be in Hollywood for a reason : great acting skills, not just for his pretty face and great body .How is that I a non journalist Mexican knows more of Rain than you and experienced writer?? I’m not trying to offend you in any way O’k Just research a little bit more on the subject you are going to write about.
If you are going to criticize me Karla, at least READ the post. I admitted to not knowing about this guy despite my wife being aware of who he was.
Fact still remains that in mainstream North American film he is still a nobody. I did research who he is and even stated as much. I was surprised to have never heard of him considering he is so huge in Asian markets.
So you can name actors you consider good that you presume I have never heard of? Good for you… still doesn’t make them popular because YOU know who they are.
Rain still hasn’t broken the North American market yet. Simple fact.
“Forgive me Star, but I have been writing within popular North American media for 8 years now and until just earlier this year this guy was NEVER on my radar.”
I love it when internet persona claim some badge of respectability without any proof. The fact that you’re still commenting on this blog seems to indicate that the only type of writing you’ve been doing is commenting on blogs…
Excuse me “Lots”
If you want proof of my credentials, how about you look at who wrote the post. ME.
I have been writing for THIS site since it started and the review site before it that spun off into this site.
Is that enough for you????
Hey Rodney,
I think by now you have already known RAIN well… and u know what? he has a defending fan following from everywhere!!! if someone writes bad about him….well you can guess from the result….. So let’s wish RAIN luck luck and only luck in Hollywood and appreciate him for what he did and what he’s been doing….. Let’s all love him!!!!
He still hasn’t proven anything to me yet.
He had a bit part in Speed Racer, which was a poor movie to begin with. Hardly an endorsement.
He has to show me something worth loving before I even turn my head. He is still a relative unknown in the North American market.
“He still hasn’t proven anything to me yet”
Rain doesn’t have to prove anything to you.
Time will tell
Considering I am the one who wrote the article, and my opinion is that he has not made any significant impact in the North American market and hasn’t shown me anything to change my feelings about him?
Yeah. He does.
Otherwise he is just another foreign actor who will mean nothing in this market. Just because he is hot shit in Korea doesnt mean he is anything here.
David Hasselhoff is untouchable on the German market…. does he matter here? No. He is a joke.
It’s true that Rain hasn’t proven himself in American Market. And he won’t be making any award-winning performance in acting or singing, considering his horrible English.
What is most astounding and admirable about him is his relentless energy and endless passion. He was bit of a dancer, had no extraordinary talent with singing and his face wasn’t exactly an “idol material” necessary for most young male singers to attract fangirls at that time. But his producer sensed something in him. It wasn’t just hunger for fame or fortune. It was energy of someone who lost everything and had nothing more to lose (and if you’re interested, you can see what his life was like, it’s quite tragic and filled with drama). He trained endlessly like a madman, became no.1 in Korea, swept Asia, and not satisfied with conquering singing and dancing in Asia, he turned to acting. There, he proved himself in both popular dramas and auteur film “Cyborg…” as a mental patient character.
Now he turns to Hollywood. In one of his interviews, he confessed that he once thought of returning to Korea and giving up on America. “What am I doing here? I can live so comfortably in Korea, making movies and releasing albums easy…”. But he wanted even more challenge. He said he’ll start from bottom again. Watching clips of him speaking English really is terrible but I’m sure with enough time, he’ll learn to speak fluently in no time.
I must admit, I’m not really a fan of his music. And I don’t think his acting is as good as some of the best out there. And I personally don’t think he has what one would call a raw talent. So he had to make up for it with unbelievable effort, and that has made him strong. He’s a phenomenal character, with an endless drive and passion, not wasting a single breath of his life and a true source of inspiration. That is why Rain is one of my favourite celebrities today.
Yeah, Rain’s nobody here in the US. However, he is ’somebody’ to at least the Wachowski brothers. Isn’t that all he needs? He is given an opportunitiy and if the movie is a hit, he will become famous in here too and plenty of other directors would want to work with him. Less than impressive Chow Yun Fat is keep coming back with even crapier movies in the US. I think this Ninja movie will get him noticed to some of western directors and more opportunities. And as far as him playing a Japanese role… well Hollywood is careless in that sense. Have you seen Costner’s Robinhood? Gosh he didn’t even bother with the accent!! And I am sure that movie was a hit(although now a classic) However, I don’t blame the Americans because Asians won’t care if a non-polish actor would play a Chopin role as long as he has a huge nose. And same goes for a Hitler role…. as long a westerner has that mustache, everyone will look like Hitler… lol.
Have you watched the training video for “Ninja assassin”?
plz, check it!
I wish that the video would give you a hint why the Wachowski cast unknown popstar not a known popstar in US.
I’ll just make it simple.
If the movie bombs then it bombs. If it’s a hit then it’s a hit.
What should matter is the endless effort that he puts into his work.
I am his fan but I won’t just talk trash because I am. I’m rather in the middle and am just saying that within time he will become a house hold name, just like how he became a house hold name throughout Asia.
Rain is truly a hard working person and because of that I will always support him in whatever he may pursue.
OK im a cloud as well but Rodney is being perfectly reasonable, leave him aloneTT
Oh look! I have my own Chris Crocker! lol
Thanks HIhihihi
I have to agree, Rodney is stating a fact that is simple and straight to the point. He may be famous half the world over, but he still isn’t a household name to target demographic, which is here in the United States. Alot of us who follow the media in other countries may know of him, but in the US he hasn’t broken the market yet.
He is an amazing dancer, and he has a great voice, though I am not into pop music in the slightest. I think he’s a great actor, as I have seen his stuff, but I have to agree, that in Asia, for certain movies/shows you have to take things with a grain of salt, because certain things don’t translate right away, such as cutesy hand gestures or what not in the more silly/comical genres. I actually think in my opinion that alot of dramas depending on which and from which Asian country have alot of over acting in it because after a while, they begin to choose actors/actresses only for their looks and fame that they already have from their careers as singers, regardless of acting ability. But that doesn’t mean that is how acting in Asia is like. (The Korean period drama, “Jewel in the Palace” had no such silliness, and had really great acting and story. I think I understand Rodney’s standpoint, in that I can’t watch majority of Taiwanese dramas with their cutesiness, peppered with pretty faces and no acting ablity.) But how is that any different from here in America? We have our own versions of dramas that are over acted, and have people chosen simply because they look good to the general public. (Try The Hills? I can watch only 5 minutes of it, and I feel my brain cells begin to die.) I am not a fan of 99% of pop drivel no matter what country it’s from.
But there are alot of good films from Asia that have great acting, as well as scripts that don’t have much lost in the translation. Try watching Tae Guk Gi, Infernal Affairs (which coincidentally was remade into the Hollywood version, “The Departed” which is arguably better, but it’s a remake of an already good storyline, take that and Martin Scorsese, and that was kind of a given that it would be good), In the Mood for love…and more.
But i digress. I know what Rodney is meaning, but to compare him to David Hasselhoff is a bit of a stretch. Have you seen his pop music videos? They aren’t much different from the ones here. They have the “coolness” factor that is easily translatable with American pop. David Hasselhoff however…his music videos look like the stuff of Seth MacFarlane’s wet dreams.
I find Rain to be likable and talented, but it’s hard to break into the United States, what with all the stereotypes, and his lack of proficiency in English. Like a few of us have said, only time will tell. I’m just waiting for another Asian American male lead that isn’t a Kung Fu master, with a Yan Can Cook accent, and is attractive. For now, I’m satisfied with John Cho being cast in Star Trek, and of his Harold and Kumar fame.
I’m glad that Rain got noticed and was cast as the ninja assassin. He deserves the role and he really trained hard for it, sacrificing a lot of things. I think that he is slowly making a name for himself there in america just like what he did here in asia, starting from the bottom. His life story of struggle and success is an inspiration. He has yet to prove himself-that’s given. But this guy is really focused and hardworking that’s why I believe that after ninja assassin he will be known in Hollywood.
Here is a very deserving, hardworking young man who is generous enough to open doors for his fellow asian actors!
Aja, aja, fighting!
I’m surprised you don’t know Rain. He’s been written about in the American media — NY Times, L.A. Times, Time Magazine…but, oh well.
How dare you make an assumption that because Rain is a dancer/singer, he can’t act. He’s a good singer, great creative dancer, but most of all, can this guy act. He’s a great dramatic actor. He can be funny, cool and witty on screen too. He can be dark and brooding. I have seen all his dramas and movie and he was so charismatic on screen. It’s hard to be a terrific actor/singer and dancer. He is so multi-talented. I know he’s going to be a good international star (he is already in half of the world). All of Asia can’t be wrong. I don’t want to see Rain in just martial arts movie. He can play all kinds of roles. he’s a damn funny actor too. he really is amazing…..I’m in awe……..
Ska, when this article was written (18 months ago) Rain was a virtual unknown here in North America.
And since I have seen his Korean films, as well as his appearance in Speed Racer. He isn’t a half bad actor, but he is far from great. What he is good at is choreography, so he will do well in action flicks.
“all of asia can’t be wrong” – Well they can. What flies as “good” in Asia is a completely different flavour of good for the North American audience.