`` my daily journey. [#] `-
Light my path
2:01:00 am
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Saturday, 6 January 2007
(Rain Swept Part 3)
Mixed U.S. Reception
Another history-making achievement under Rain's belt is that he became the first Korean artist to play Madison Square Garden, marking his entry into the U.S. music scene with a bang. On the nights of the February 3rd and 4th, the Garden was filled with screaming teenage girls delirious to be in the presence of their idol. Both "Rainy Day in New York" shows were sold out in just a few days of the tickets' release, and the commotion that Rain caused in the Big Apple did not go unnoticed.
Before his arrival, the New York Times featured a profile of the artist, focusing on his rise to stardom, his enormous popularity in Asia, the Asian-American entertainment market, and the multidirectional flow of cultural products in the age of the Internet and satellite TV. The New York Times then ran a review of Rainy Day in New York. What was said in the review might have reminded Rain of his days in his neighborhood, jacketless and beaten. The reviewer repeatedly took issue with the lack of originality in Rain's music and performance, likening it to American pop music and dance, a la Michael Jackson circa 1990.
The reviewer did not paint a rosy picture for Rain's planned entry into the U.S. music scene in October 2006 either. He claimed that Rain's persona and talent were a few notes short of the likes of Michael Jackson and Usher, two stars that Rain openly admires and two stars the reviewer thought Rain unsuccessfully mimicked. The reviewer also pointed out that JYP, the producer and composer of Rain's songs, will always be several steps behind the latest and the hippest in American pop.
Rain-front Still Westward Bound
Nonetheless, there is something to be said for the attention that Rain has garnered, and there are certainly voices that dismiss the gloomy forecast of the New York Times reviewer. The thousands and thousands of Rain fans, for example, who await Rain's English-language album with open arms. On more than one occasion, JYP has mentioned how the only untapped target audience for pop music in the United States is the Asian/American community. While Asian/Americans make up only 5 percent of the market, JYP, along with many others, see it as a viable launch pad from that someone like Rain could use to attempt to cross over into the mainstream.
JYP's active career in the United States as a producer and composer is also a valuable asset for Rain & Co. JYP debuted in the United States by co-writing The Love You Need on hip-hop musician Ma$e's comeback album, Welcome Back, which reached fourth on the Billboard album charts. JYP has worked with the likes of Will Smith, Li'l Kim, and Omarion. He is also buddies with Sean Combs (a.k.a. Diddy), who came to support JYP and Rain at Rain's concert in Madison Square Garden and announced that Rain would be the first Asian spokesperson for his clothing line, Sean John.
There have also been budding developments in terms of specialized media platforms in the United States that could provide structural support to Asian artists like Rain, who are trying to enter the U.S. market. ImaginAsian TV, a New York cable channel that specializes in Asian and Asian/American content, has just started to air Full House with English subtitles. MTV-K, a music channel for Korean-Americans, will be launched soon, providing yet another outlet through which Rain's music could reach an American audience.
The Korean central and regional governments have been enthusiastic promoters of Hallyu and Hallyu artists like Rain. In 2005, for example, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism launched an ambitious project of developing and implementing a comprehensive Han (Korean) branding strategy to maintain the momentum of Hallyu. The Gyeonggi provincial government has unveiled a plan to open "Hallyuwood," a US$2-billion entertainment theme park, by 2008.
Watch Out for More Downpours
If not active government support, if not the growing interest in Asian culture in the United States, if not Hallyu, if not JYP's network of entertainment industry power players, there is still a very driven, talented, humble and charismatic young man behind all this. JYP has proudly noted that while Rain was initially known as "Little JYP," it is now JYP who is known as "Rain's producer." Similarly, although Rain is now known as the "Asian Usher" or "Asian Justin Timberlake," it would not be surprising if Rain is aspiring to reverse the direction in which appellations are awarded, hoping for a day when new faces of U.S. pop music would be bestowed the honorable title, "American Rain."
by Kim Jun-Hee jun_hee_kim@yahoo.com
Mixed U.S. Reception
Another history-making achievement under Rain's belt is that he became the first Korean artist to play Madison Square Garden, marking his entry into the U.S. music scene with a bang. On the nights of the February 3rd and 4th, the Garden was filled with screaming teenage girls delirious to be in the presence of their idol. Both "Rainy Day in New York" shows were sold out in just a few days of the tickets' release, and the commotion that Rain caused in the Big Apple did not go unnoticed.
Before his arrival, the New York Times featured a profile of the artist, focusing on his rise to stardom, his enormous popularity in Asia, the Asian-American entertainment market, and the multidirectional flow of cultural products in the age of the Internet and satellite TV. The New York Times then ran a review of Rainy Day in New York. What was said in the review might have reminded Rain of his days in his neighborhood, jacketless and beaten. The reviewer repeatedly took issue with the lack of originality in Rain's music and performance, likening it to American pop music and dance, a la Michael Jackson circa 1990.
The reviewer did not paint a rosy picture for Rain's planned entry into the U.S. music scene in October 2006 either. He claimed that Rain's persona and talent were a few notes short of the likes of Michael Jackson and Usher, two stars that Rain openly admires and two stars the reviewer thought Rain unsuccessfully mimicked. The reviewer also pointed out that JYP, the producer and composer of Rain's songs, will always be several steps behind the latest and the hippest in American pop.
Rain-front Still Westward Bound
Nonetheless, there is something to be said for the attention that Rain has garnered, and there are certainly voices that dismiss the gloomy forecast of the New York Times reviewer. The thousands and thousands of Rain fans, for example, who await Rain's English-language album with open arms. On more than one occasion, JYP has mentioned how the only untapped target audience for pop music in the United States is the Asian/American community. While Asian/Americans make up only 5 percent of the market, JYP, along with many others, see it as a viable launch pad from that someone like Rain could use to attempt to cross over into the mainstream.
JYP's active career in the United States as a producer and composer is also a valuable asset for Rain & Co. JYP debuted in the United States by co-writing The Love You Need on hip-hop musician Ma$e's comeback album, Welcome Back, which reached fourth on the Billboard album charts. JYP has worked with the likes of Will Smith, Li'l Kim, and Omarion. He is also buddies with Sean Combs (a.k.a. Diddy), who came to support JYP and Rain at Rain's concert in Madison Square Garden and announced that Rain would be the first Asian spokesperson for his clothing line, Sean John.
There have also been budding developments in terms of specialized media platforms in the United States that could provide structural support to Asian artists like Rain, who are trying to enter the U.S. market. ImaginAsian TV, a New York cable channel that specializes in Asian and Asian/American content, has just started to air Full House with English subtitles. MTV-K, a music channel for Korean-Americans, will be launched soon, providing yet another outlet through which Rain's music could reach an American audience.
The Korean central and regional governments have been enthusiastic promoters of Hallyu and Hallyu artists like Rain. In 2005, for example, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism launched an ambitious project of developing and implementing a comprehensive Han (Korean) branding strategy to maintain the momentum of Hallyu. The Gyeonggi provincial government has unveiled a plan to open "Hallyuwood," a US$2-billion entertainment theme park, by 2008.
Watch Out for More Downpours
If not active government support, if not the growing interest in Asian culture in the United States, if not Hallyu, if not JYP's network of entertainment industry power players, there is still a very driven, talented, humble and charismatic young man behind all this. JYP has proudly noted that while Rain was initially known as "Little JYP," it is now JYP who is known as "Rain's producer." Similarly, although Rain is now known as the "Asian Usher" or "Asian Justin Timberlake," it would not be surprising if Rain is aspiring to reverse the direction in which appellations are awarded, hoping for a day when new faces of U.S. pop music would be bestowed the honorable title, "American Rain."
by Kim Jun-Hee jun_hee_kim@yahoo.com
Light my path
2:01:00 am
youdrovemydarknessaway`-//*
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(Don't knock it till you've tried it! Don't dismiss Rain without knowing him!)
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
"Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know"
Jeremiah 33:3