Rain: I'm Excited to be in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - After the cancellation of his press conference last Sept. 6 due to miscommunication, Asian pop star Rain (aka Jung Ji-hoon) finally met the press on Sept. 9 at the Champagne Room of the historic Manila Hotel.

Rain is in Manila to do the “Intensity” show at the Mall of Asia open grounds on Sept. 11.

He is also shooting scenes in the country for his upcoming action drama “Fugitive,” which will be known as “Runaway” when it is shown in the Philippines. The drama is a co-production of of Domangja and Philippine station TV5.

Rain appeared at the press conference together with the cast of “Runaway”: Hollywood and Korean-American star Daniel Henney, actresses Lee Na Young and Yoon Jin Seo, and actor Lee Jungjin.

The Manila Hotel is the official residence of Rain and the entire production cast of “Runaway.” Manila Hotel Executive Vice President Enrique Yap Jr. also graced the press conference.

Rain said he’s happy that he’s here in the country, telling everyone that they should expect a lot since scenes in the drama were shot in the country.

Fans of Rain will finally see him perform on stage on Sept. 11 through his “Intensity” show together with boy band U-Kiss and special guest Christian Bautista.

“Runaway” will be Rain’s comeback vehicle to Korean drama in five years. He last appeared in 2005 in “A Love To Kill” in which he co-starred with Shin Min-a.

But it was in “Full House,” released in 2004, that Rain became popular.

Rain is one of a handful of Korean artists that became famous both as a singer and actor.

After releasing his Korean album “Back to Basic” this year, he is now focusing on his new action drama.

“As of now, I just want to focus on my role and do my best as an actor, and do my best as a performer. I don’t think about difficulties,” Rain told the media during the press conference.

Rain has become an international star not only as a singer but also as an actor.

In 2008, he starred in his first Hollywood movie “Speed Racer.” Last year, he starred in “Ninja Assassin,” which won him the “Biggest Badass Star” in this year’s MTV Movie Awards.

As a well-known Hallyu or Korean Wave star, Rain has become a goodwill ambassador of South Korea, promoting its culture and music in different countries.

On the other hand, Daniel Henney rose to prominence in South Korea when he appeared in “My Name is Kim Sam Soon” in 2005 which starred Kim Sun-ah and Hyun Bin.

Henney started as a model before he joined show business in South Korea.

The hunky actor was able to penetrate Hollywood when he was cast as Agent Zero in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” which was shown last year. The movie grossed $373 million in the box office worldwide and in the US.

He also starred in the CBS drama “Three Rivers” in which he played Dr. David Lee.

Actress Lee Na Young is a popular South Korean actress. She first appeared in the drama series “Did We Really” in 1999 and subsequently was cast in various dramas including “High Kick Through The Roof” aired last year. She has also appeared in nine films.

She won as best actress for “Someone Special” at the Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2004.

On the other hand, “Runaway” will be Yoon Jin Seo’s second drama. She first appeared in “The Return of Iljimae” which was shown last year in South Korea.

Since 2002, Yoon has appeared in 10 movies.

Actor Lee Jungjin is a popular star in Korea, appearing in famous dramas such as “Love Story in Harvard,” “I Love You, Don’t Cry” and “April Kiss.”

Scenes in “Runaway” have not only been shot in the Philippines but also in Japan, Hong Kong and Macau.

The action drama focuses on Jiwoo (played by Rain), a famous investigator assigned to solve the mysterious death of an Asian couple in Las Vegas.

The drama will premier on Sept. 29 in South Korea.

Jonathan Hicap, Manila Bulletin