Normally military service is where an errant or wayward Korean male celebrity goes to pay their dues and wipe the slate clean. Sometimes its something as frivolous as having a disrespectful attitude, the point being that going to the army projects the image of dutiful responsible hard working solidarity. So its with a bit of head scratching to see a slew of male celebrities get into scandals while IN the army. It’s the place where everyone has a shaved head and toils for nearly two years doing whatever mundane task is assigned. What scandal could possibly come from that? Quite a lot actually, and one of the entertainers who dealt with his fair share in the last six months is none other than the recently discharged Rain. No wonder dude is been mostly MIA since he came back and always looks decidedly dour when photographed in public. Rain was in Thailand last week to perform at the Sonic Bang 2013 Music Festival, which also included performances by Epik High, Far East Movement, Pet Shop Boys, among others. His fans nothwithstanding – Rain has gotten flack for going public with his budding relationship with A-list star Kim Tae Hee (apparently his reputation isn’t so hot and the general Korean public thinks she’s dating a bad boy and tongues are wagging), and then got a slap on the wrist when it was revealed that he took a heck of a lot of personal days off the base (probably to date Kim Tae Hee). I honestly don’t know what the big deal is but clearly Rain is not exactly returning from the military into the warmest of public embraces. As such, he’s wisely taking it slow and for his first public performance he chose to music festival in Thailand where he’s beloved. Rain just signed a contract with Cube Entertainment after having his own agency for quite a few years though he started off in JYP and is still tight with that crew. I think whatever “scandal” is all much ado about nothing and I for one am looking forward to Rain’s acting comeback more than his singing. He looks leaner and more grounded in all the pictures I’ve seen of him since his release, and I think his experiences in the military and weathering this rough patch in his career will likely benefit his acting and give it more seasoned flavor. Or at least I can hope. It’s nice to see him back and taking it smart and slow. Check out pictures of him heading to Thailand, performing, and then going back to Korea. At least he cracked a smile on stage.
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He still has such a little boy face. Adorable.
Uh I love rain
Hot dude, welcome back!
Oh my!!! RAIN is back!!! HEHE looking forward to his future projects. He looks good :)
Admit it...he's still hot hot hot
Really looking forward to his acting comeback.....
I'm not korean so I wouldn't know but from what I understand, he was interviewed before his enlistement and kept telling how he would do active duty and bragged about that all the time but then, he entered the army and changed to celebrity unit. With Dispatch, it was found out that he took a lot of vacation days (to date KTH, I suppose) so yeah, I can understand why knetizens could feel angry/upset/disappointed in him.
When you think of it, Rain and Se7en was rival back then and look at what both of them became. That's why, they should have done it a la Hyun Bin or Yoo Seung Ho. These two got God-status for what they have done during their military enlistement.
Celebrity unit? Wow. It does make them different than anyone else when they are just citizens of S. Korea, just more famous.
Honestly, I don't think its right to say his scandal is 'much ado about nothing' since military service is highly valued in the Korean Society. He took more days off than a normal normal soldier is allowed, he used his cellphone when it wasn't allowed, and didn't wear proper uniform when he should have. It just made the Korean public furious as they have sons/brothers/dads in the toiling in the military with barely any leave and you have a celebrity soldier who has all these perks for such a cushy job.
Agree. Also didn't Rain always milk the story about growing up poor with a single mother? And how hard he worked to come so far, the blood sweat and tears..and his mother didn't live to see his success etc ....it was just like a Kdrama.
Yeah, and you are also writing another script for a Kdrama. Even Kdrama writers do a some background research before making up a story. But then when it comes to someone who is called Rain, it doesn't matter what crap you throw at him. He is easy target isn't it.
Why don't you read this >>
http://www.asianjunkie.com/2013/01/rain-his-military-service-controversy-and-the-misguided-netizen-witchhunt/
Agree.
I think when i first heard about this news, I was sort of in disdain.
I liked rain; he was the first k-actor to capture my attention (full house).
I feel like there's a reason south korea takes military service so seriously. The fact that rain showed no respect for it (to me) shows a bit of insight to some of his character. I have deep respect for those actors that choose not to go the celebrity unit (Yoo seung ho) and work their butts off. Even crying as they come home(Hyun Bin) to show the blood sweat and tears.
So what if he skips out on military service? He's a hardworking dude when he's doing his job. Stop being such a debbie downer. Wellll...
I think how someone carries themselves in the army really shows how much of a man they are (don't hurt me), because there's alot of sacrifice. I wouldn't know firsthand, and i don't mean to judge someone based off of what i hear, but the facts present themselves to me, and that's the interpretation i come upon. Why should anyone have it any easier just because they're a celebrity?
Some of them need to get knocked down a peg or two anyways.
That said, i hope to see Rain come back to k-dramaland soon.
Yes, makes me respect and like YSH and HB more. I get it why some stars would want to join the celebrity unit. But at least show some class and don't take advantage of it. You are already having it easier. Privilege should lead to responsibilty.
Yeah, I agree. Plus I'm pretty sure he and the Seven scandal basically got the celeb unit abolished by their behavior. (on a side note I bet some celebs who could get away with joining the celeb unit hate him now) It was a big deal to the public. He got off with little to no punishment as well and doesn't seem to regret what he did. His fans aside, I don't think anyone in the public is going to be checking for him for awhile.
I don't doubt he was a hard working guy in his career, but it seemed like his MS was a vacation where he could get away from work and start a new romance more than anything. I hope KTH doesn't suffer anymore than she has because of him.
It is funny how a lot of people commenting on this site do not know the whole picture and issues before passing judgment.
You do not need to be a fan to do a little investigation.
Anyway, welcome back Rain. Good luck in all your new endeavours.
I like rain and will continue to like his work period! ;@RAIN
Love to see my beloved Rain back to business.
Does anyone knows the brand of his black backpack ?
http://s5.uploads.ru/UG8Zl.jpg