RAIN, One The People Who Shape Our World according to TIME magazine
 

According to the current issue of TIME magazine's main article which entitled The Time 100: The People Who Shape Our World, RAIN is one of them

I'm not a fan of RAIN, i was shocked to see him there in the same categories as with Meryl Streep...

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...187264,00.html

WTF? Since when is Rain considered "big" in Japan. Sure, some people know him, but he is hardly a star there.

..why not Ayu, or boa, or someone?

What in the world? This is ridiculous haha he is far from shaping the world in any manner. BoA would have even been a better candidate. However I think Ayu deserves that title if their going to put an Asian star on there.

Sadly, even TIME gets their facts wrong sometimes. :no Didn't Sad Tango tank spectacularly in Japan?

whaaat? whatever! how is he shaping the world? i don't think the article even mentioned that...i mean, he's releasing and album in the US and whatnot, but i don't see what exactly he is doing to "shape the world."

but at least he's hot. :luv2 hahaha!

silly article that base not in the fact
i never liked rain...

Im happy for Rain. Thats's good news I mean he's Popular all over asia. Actor, Singer, & Model. Now he's about to break out in the U.S.


He deserves to be their.

there was a whole arguement between BoA vs. Rain fans in a korean album. Basically, Rain fans say he deserves it cos he sold out 2 shows at MSG, got invited to MTV VMA's in 2005 and is doing projects in the States with P. Diddy etc. plus they say he bridged the gap between East and SE Asia.

I don't agree with anything they said. BoA should have been there before Rain. Heck even Ayu or Hikki should've been on that before Rain.

:yes

Well, he is popular. But, I never expected him to "shape our world" o_o

o_O ?
WTF mate?

I don't think he's all that popular.....
I mean....his US album will probably tank as spectacularly as Exodus.

I'd say that Hikki, Ayu, or maybe even Kuu are more deserving of this than he is......

And Dane Cook?
Ok, I love him...but I don't think he's been around long enough to have such a massive or widespread affect on the world.
Try George Carlin.

I haven't heard much about Rain since I've been here in Japan, so I really don't see how he's "popular" enough to be in Time magazine.

They might have just plucked out a random "famous" Asian star. :shrug

I like both Rain & Boa. But I think he deserves to be their instead of her. The Guy SOLD OUT EVER CONCERT HE HAD. Thailand, Japan, China, South Korea, and Nyc.

He Acts, Sings, and Models. Rain has been in so many industments I can't even name them all. Sure BoA does her Korean/Japanese music and all but Compared to Rain? I don't think soo.


No he's in the U.S JY Park introduced to to alot of people to make Rain. He is about to be modeling on the U.S label Sean John and with Diddy helping Rain out I know he's going to go far. Everyone knows Diddy goes FAR for Money.


I just don't think it right that people say he doesn't deserve to be here and say such and Such belongs their instead of him just because you personally feel that why? So really tell me if Ayu or Hikki belongs there tell me how they shaped the world? Rain is HOT right now and he's about to release a Chinese single soon.

You can't stop him maybe they choose Rain because he was always on top and seemed to get better and better. He never feel off his game.

They probably wanted to represent an Asian pop figure, and so they chose the one who is trying appeal to the US market. Not really surprising at all because the United States media is so US-centered to the exclusion of the rest of the globe. They wouldn't mention Ayumi Hamasaki, for example, because she doesn't care one bit about making it in America.

It's nice to have someone from the Kpop world there at least. I'm not complaining.

My main complaint with the article is saying how innaccurate it is in saying he is big in Japan because he is not at all. This is coming from TIME magazine, you'd think they would try to be more accurate.

He IS very popular in Asia. So yeah, he is big in Japan too. :) I think he has a chance since he's the sort of artists America likes.. R n B, sexy dancing, good visuals. I wonder how they'll take his asian eyes though.

I don't know much about Rain and what I've heard about him is impressive, but he's just another standard entertainer (he sells well and that's his job, his job isnt to change the world).

How does selling out concerts and being attractive make you shape the world? Bill gates donates money and helps kids with computers, he is far from the popular ideals of "hot." Modeling and being known for your ties with other famous people seems kind of cheap, and one could argue, "It seems like one can only get far by who they know and not by actual talent."

Hamasaki does more than Rain or Utada. She did the duet with Keiko to help raise money for 911. I think Hamasaki's songs tend of have a message as well and lately she's kind of one for womens right and equality, correct?

Utada was praised by a few people when her first CD was due for release in America (but the CD was canned?)? Or was that rumor? I think it's powerful that a 15 year old who is bilingual in one langauge that isn't of European decent would go to release a CD in the states. Plus Utada's sound is different and was for the most part in Japan. No one did it like her, and even know she's doing something different from most people.

I guess what it all comes down to is: none of them actually shape the world.

Yeah, but the numbers don't make sense. His single failed miserably in Japan. They should've went with BoA -- she's also a product of the Korean wave and she's WAY more successful across the board. Her fanbase in Japan is bigger than the one she has in Korea at this point. XD Crystal Kay is more successful than Rain.

I just don't think he's really "influential" that's all. It's good that he's going to the States and all but I don't think that's influential... If TIME only noticed him because of the MSG concerts, then that's dumb, cos I know many Chinese entertainers who have sold out their shows when they come here to North America.
I dunno, I think I just have a different perspective in what I see as influential. Rain had to do acting in Full House before he got the attention in Asia (mind you, his last drama did bad in Korea). As for BoA, she didn't need to do acting, she didn't need to sing in English or w/e, all she did was just work in Japan/Korea (and sometimes China) and still have her popularity equal to/greater than Rain's popularity. There's also been countless "BoA#2" and she's the one of the people who are helping brdige the gaps between Chinia-Korea-Japn. Ayu also, she didn't have to sing in another language or act to gain attention outside of Japan yet she has tens of thousands of young girls follow her trends etc. and also have singers who want to be like her. And both Ayu and BoA also have tens of thousands of fans worldwide. Both BoA and Ayu did a lot less and their popularity is still equal/greater than Rain's who had to do so much more to get this kind of popularity. That's why I think BoA and Ayu are more influential than Rain.
As for Hikki, I admit, I only put her there cos she did release an English Album and she did chart on Billboard... plus I think she has the best selling album in Asia.
But if I was in TIME, I would have just stopped at Ang Lee.

I agree with SunshineSlayer/greggerz189. Rain isn't as big in Japan as TIME wrote it to be.

No, he is not. You don't see or hear very much about him, if at all in Japan.

Interesting. Yet weird.

I don't really think he's all that great. To me, he seems to be the asian Usher. Oh well, good for him though.

Ayu definitely deserve a place in this list.

oh dear

yeah, why did they pick rain? but i'm glad they have an asian artist in the magazine. ^^;;

RAIN, what a joke, somebody please kill me

I think the fact is there like really trying to hype up Rain coming to America. I have to say there doing a great job. People are really going to know about Rain. I don't understand why everyones like "why Rain and not BoA". I mean is BoA releasing an English album this year? I mean Rain could really bridge that crossing over gap. Who cares if you don't like Rain. As long as he's making it easier for other Asian singers to crossover I don't think people should be hating. I mean sorry you all don't like Rain but if you had the choice for Rain to pave the way or no Asian star to be able to successfully crossover which would you pick???

This whole paragraph doesn't make sense to me. First you question why everyone likes Rain and not BoA. Then you go on and say that we shouldn't hate on Rain.... I think you're getting your Korean star names mixed up. And, I don't know if this was part of the mix-up as well, but BoA isn't releasing an English album this year.

I was saying people are like "Why did they choose Rain and not BoA?" (Which I just corrected so there's no misunderstanding). As for the BoA releasing an English album I put s period instead of a question mark. Which is my poimt. BoA isn't releasing an English album. So theres no point in asking why Rain instead of her.

a joke, how is he influential! does he even write his own music etc. A person like jay chou or leehom wang who writes their own lyrics and produces themselves... those people are more influential. he isnt even that successful. I was reading a article and they made a big deal when he sold 1million for his album in asia. Ayumi hamasaki has sold 2.9+ million with Duty.. and thats Japan alone.
RAIN = a joke. I dont want a guy like him to represent Asian music. And is the album he is going to be releasing... is it all english? cuz if it is.. how is that paving the way for asian music.

lol i don't get what he does that shapes our world, he's just popular but other than that he's very mainstream

people who know him tell me "he has the best body!", "he's so hot!" "he's such a good dancer" and other things about his appearance but never his music, everytime i see him in a pic he's always shirtless xD

the article should say "Rain, The People Who Shape Girls Desire"

^LMAO, i agree! i don't understand how he actually SHAPES the world either. :shrug

i understand why
he has modjo
he s my man!

Well I'm happy 4 RAIN^_^ At least they're giving him some recognition that could hype his album. But in my opinion he isn't the BIGGEST star in Asia. If I remeber correctly Japan is the 2nd biggest music industry in the World meaning that artist in Japan come close to making what Americans make. Bi I don't think is that big yet in JP. If they nominated anybody it should of been Kuu because she is hot right now in Asia and released some english music. Crystal Kay could have been too since an english album is probably in her future. And a lot of people don't know SATOMI yet but she's like already releasing music in JP and UK and creating a buzz. I believe her music has a chance of making it into the US because a lot of artist from the UK come to the US and gain fame (Spice Girls, Craig David, Joss Stone, etc...)

Even though I don't listen to both of them.. I think BoA deserves it A LOT more. She broke the boundaries of Japanese music being allowed to be listened to in Korea, right?

So there, she deserves it a lot more.

In order to shape the world you have to change something, make an impact and also reach out to a lot of people. I don't know Rain at all so I can't judge. But f.ex inthe case of BoA, I don't see how she changed anything. She is a korean star in japan, but foreign stars aren't unheard of in japan before. And how she makes any difference in rest of asia I woulden't know. SHe's still another AVEX idol, and her sales aren't that tremendous.

I'm not saying that rain shoulden't be on the list I'm not questioning that, but I feel like listing the reasons for why Ayu could've been listed, even though she's first and foremost a domestic star:

first: Japan is the second biggest music market in the world, and it's considered one of the toughest and pickiest markets in many different areas, f.ex electronics. Japanese fashion is recognised increasingly by the entire world.

Ayu is the female who's sold most in japanese history, thus reached a LOT of people with her music. She's also probably the east asian based female artist with the biggest fanbase world-wide (judging from the amount information in english on the internet). Her remixes has reached every corner of the planet. (When ferry corsten was in norway Ayumi Hamasaki was even mentioned in the articles and ads, also the drizzly releases).

She's held responsible for changing japan and it's music, being the first idol to write her own music and lyrics. In that way she changed the old "aidoru"-image. Now there are a lot of girls writing own music and lyrics, the most famous one being Ai Otsuka.

Ayumi is also very popular in rest of asia, her music hits number one in charts in other asian countries.

She started fashion waves in japan, thus affecting fashion across the globe.

Well for BoA, she is a korean. It's a lot harder for koreans to make it big in Japan. Her sales may not be like ayu's but having 2xMillion selling albums is pretty good. Plus, 4 straight #1 original albums and also breaking the tension between mainly JP/KR (and to some extent CN) is imo, quite influential. Plus, she made it a lot more easier for other korean stars to try go outside of korea and there have been countless "BoA #2"s out there.

SOrry, I was underestimating BoA a bit, but I don't think she's had a big impact on the tension, but I do believe she's representing the first generation of koreans making it big in japan. =) However, there's no sign of better relations between the countries, diden't korea almost declare war the other week?

The thing is, the fact he needed dramas to increase he's popularity doesn't make him less popular. He's more popular than BoA ever was around Asia. He's album was the best-selling album of the year in China, in Korea, in Malaysia, in Singapore and lots and lots of other asian countries while BoA sells good in a few asian countries. His concert in stadiums in Asia were ALL sold-out. He's much much more popular than BoA ever was.

Plus, he IS big in Japan. He was the first asian (non-japanese) artist to be invited to permorm of MTV Japan awards and he sold-out two concerts at Tokyo International Forum, one in Budokan and one in Osaka-Jo Hall with tickets for 10,000 yen (very expensive, Ayu tickets are 7,000), plus, he has a big fanbase and he's dramas are very popular around there.

Maybe he isn't talented or changed the world, but he is the MOST influentional entertainer in Asia and that's the point of the article.

Oh, btw, BoA isn't the most popular korean entertainer in Japan. Bae-Yong something, the male lead of Winter Sonata, is and he's the one the media says was the one who helped Japan-Korea relationship.. plus, lots of other koreans, mainly actress and actors are more popular than her. And I'm sure lots of asians artists sold-out shows in US but I doubt many of them had 10,000 people at their concert.

True. I guess she tried to relieve the tension.

The only hyped up drama that Rain starred in was only Full House. That's the only truly successful drama he had so far. Take a look at his last drama, (the one about boxing), the ratings were nowhere near what Full House achieved in Korea and it hasn't been hyped about like Full House. I don't think he's THAT big in Japan. I'm pretty sure he had concerts in Japan before his single release, wouldn't you think he would have done at least decent in his sales? I agree that Bae Yong Jun is popular though, but then again, he's mainly popular for Winter Sonata and not much else.
And Andy Lau has had concerts at the SkyDome (in Canada) that easily beat out Rain's MSG 2 concerts.

I'm 100% positive that his album wasn't the best selling album of the year in Taiwan/China/Korea. That year, BoA's album beat his in Korea. As for Tawian/China, I'm pretty sure Jay Chou beat his album's sales. His concerts are not in stadiums. They are comparable to Tokyo International Forum (maximum to about Japan arena size). And also, I don't think he's THAT much popular than BoA. I think he maybe as popular as she is, but not "much more".

Well without Full House, he wouldn't have achieved anywhere near the popularity he has now. BoA didn't need to have dramas to increase her popularity and still has as much popularity as Rain did with both his drama and music combined. That's why I think BoA is more influential that way.

Maybe most of his dramas aren't that popular in Korea but they sell to overseas market thanks to him and that's almost as important.

Saying Bae Yong Jun is popular because of Winter Sonata is the same of saying BoA is popular because of her music. Well, duh, he's an actor, of course he's popular because of his work. His movies are also VERY popular in Japan and he is THE biggest korean superstar in Japan, much bigger than BoA.

And there are others korean bigger than BoA in Japan like Cho Ji Woo...

I'm sure he's much more popular than she is. His latest album outsold Boa's album in Korea and in China (I'm not sure about Taiwan but much probably). Please, Girls on Top sold 117k in Korea and his latest album sold over 400k. Plus, he is worth much more.

I don't agree with most of that.

Try to remember that this isen't a popularity contest, it about SHAPING the world. Changing something. If the only thing an artist did was to help other artists break into a new market, I don't really know if that's major "shaping" of the world.

No, it was only Full House. As I said, his last drama had pratically 0 news outside of Asia.

After thinking about it, I'll agree with you here. But I don't think he's MUCH bigger. I think they're just bigger.

I didn't say BoA's album outsold Rain's in China. I just said that Rain's album wasn't the best selling album in China, which you stated.
Firstly, Rain didn't even release a Korean album in 2005, so there's no use in comparing a 2004 album (It's Raining) with a 2005 album (Girls on Top). Secondly, he didn't sell 400k, his album sold aorund 180-190kish. Only SG Wannabe sold more than 400k in 2005. Thirdly, since It's Raining is a 2004 album, I'll compare it with BoA's 2004 album, My Name which sold more than 200k. That means BoA outsold Rain in Korea.
"Plus, He's worth much more"?? In CMs? Can you please clarify?

Which part? I think there were 2 different ideas there.

RAIN is some nasty blah.

He's so not as 'hot' as people make him out to be. xD
I think that he thinks he's going to be well received or something in the states..
But ... no. Just no. xD

No, it IS a popularity contest, half of the people in there didn't REALLY changed the world, so...

~

The album was for 2004 but it was on the 2005 list. Boa's MY NAME... was also on the list. I have it somewhere in my computer, I'll try to find it...

Yes, in CMs and such. Plus, he does the biggest tours in Asia.

Oh, and about being the best-selling album in China. Yes, I can't be sure about that because there isn't an official list for China but there was an article stating his album was the best-selling. I'll also try to find it. I'm pretty sure it outsold BoA's album, but I don't have anything that state that, so..

I think the album was more like best-seller, and not best-selling as I did read the newspapers that year as Jay Chou sold more than 3 million of his 2004 album and Stef Sun sold at least 1 million for hers.

Just going back to this for a bit:
Not really. An equivalent to your statement would be "Ayu is popular because of her song 'M'" or "BoA is popular because of her song 'VALENTI'". Music is a profession, while Winter Sonata is just a part of it.

RAIN is a JOKE. Who's goin to listen to rain in american? the asian americans? the ones that listen to asian music already? he isnt even goin to target new people. i hope he fails miserably

That's pointless. I mean, BoA was just a product till not long ago, the same way RAIN is now. Neither of them have almost no power in their carreer. So I think Bae Yong Joon being popular because of Winter Sonata is the same as BoA being popular because for her music, till not long ago BoA was just the one whe who sing the song, she didn't really did anything beside that and promote the song. And that's exactly the same he did, he was there just for acting and promote the product.

And anyway, his last movie was also very popular in Asia and Japan...

That's off-topic, anyway.. :x

Well not really. Yeah, they follow directions from their managers and what not, but they also have input to their ideas. Plus, she's writing her lyrics (don't know about Rain), so she does have some power. Besides, she even owns 100,000 shares of SM....