Korean Pop Star Rain to Join Speed Racer?
By Nix | May 14, 2007 (12:49 am) | More: All Entries, Asian Movie News, Movie News, Speed Racer (2008) Movie
According to his management (which means it might not be true, or even happen), South Korean pop star and actor Rain (his stage name, his real name is Jung Ji-Hoon) will be joining the cast of the Wachowski Brothers’ live-action adaptation of “Speed Racer” (the brothers’ first G-rated movie, no less). Dark Horizons says that negotiations for Rain (who was recently in Park Chan-wook’s “I’m a Cyborg, but That’s Okay”) to join the cast, which already includes star Emilie Hirsch and Christina Ricci, isn’t yet complete, and there’s no word on what role he’ll play.
Speed Racer’s nemesis will be played by Matthew Fox, so that’s not it. Most likely Rain’s Hollywood debut will be a secondary role, possibly as a fellow racer?
More about Rain from Wikipedia:
Rain (Real name: Jung Ji-Hoon) is a male Korean R&B and pop singer.
He has become well-known throughout East Asia — including Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Mainland China, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand — as a leading star of the Korean wave, otherwise known as Hallyu.
In April 2006, Time named him as one of the “100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World.”[1][2] In 2007, Rain was voted by Time Magazine’s online user poll as the most influential person in 2007, although he was not in the magazine’s actual list. He also made it into People’s 2007 list of the “Most Beautiful People” in the world.
I'm going to try again today. Yall just post till I get there... We going to try to figure out ...
That's it I'm gonna spirit bomb your ass Priverson.
jim b on 14 May 2007:
Can he speak english?
Nix on 15 May 2007:
My guess would be Yes. Or they can always dub him I suppose.
Nancy on 15 May 2007:
yes, but not fluently…yet
Nix on 15 May 2007:
Well he probably speaks better English than most of us speak Korean.
Licky C on 16 May 2007:
He can speak English but his accent is still apparent. He’s learning, though :D
MJ on 17 May 2007:
What a cutie!! :D
His english might not that fluent though, there would be no problem to play his role. Hot body, hot car, and car racing… game is over..
Patrice on 19 May 2007:
OOh Yes Rain is hot n he’s also a good actor. There are those of us who like his cute accent. He is learning english though at the same time as Thia, Chinese, Japanese, he’s very busy, hardworking person. He is the reason I a older, Amer. lady will watch that movie
ruth on 24 November 2007:
rain is falling in my head so i came crazy to my only love rain!
ruth verdad on 24 November 2007:
rain is very handsome and very hot! love u always
keep up the hot work!
Sisi on 3 January 2008:
Rain might be so Famous here at Asia, but will he survive in Hollywood, He is not fluent in english, and Americans might not be too happy, i don’t he will make it he should go back in Korea…thats what i think…cause i haven’t heard nothing yet that his gaining popularity there…hmm….
Cal on 10 January 2008:
Not famous in hollywood? Keep yourself updated dude, he was just invited to perform in a sold out concert at madison square garden the middle of last year.
Jenny on 28 January 2008:
Have you heard of the song, Man Up by Omarion? It features Bi (I prefer “Rain”’s Korean name, considering I am Korean as well), and his accent is hardly noticeable. I believe Bi will have a good influence on American media.
Smick on 15 March 2008:
who cares about his accent.. more Rain.. i’m happy
snow on 2 April 2008:
I love Rain! <3
Willie on 22 April 2008:
I honestly don’t know how well his English is, or his accent, if it is thick or not. I know that i have seen a press conference with CNN (i think) where he had a translator, but in that he mentioned learning English and he does know some. Like some said about an accent… it doesn’t matter much because when you are in acting and music, you are forced to have diction classes and learn to pronounce words in every language. Bi is a great actor… maybe not famous in America yet.. but he is becoming more popular… and even if he is not fluent in English, he knows enough to memorize the lines given and then perform them. They will not dub his voice… however, i don’t think he will have a very large speaking role. Anyway, the movie looks lame but the fact that Bi has a role i will watch it and see… Anyone know any of the other movies or Korean dramas that Bi has acted in? I have seen Full House and A Love to Kill… both are amazing and i would love to see some more of his work.
theonerime on 23 April 2008:
rain is the most talented thing ever…with so much you tube and media junkies its sad some of you do not know who he is…bottom line talent will proove itself…and for the accent part…hmm …with shows like smarter than a 5th grader…intelligence doesnt exist here…so let the best proove itself…he is the best thing ever!!!! body…hotness…and everything above and beyond…most of all he has character and charisma…
theonerime on 23 April 2008:
just to add…he was selected the most influential person in asia in TIMES so…hmm…
ratsgoix on 24 April 2008:
Speed Racer coming out soon! :D I’m pretty sure the movie’s gonna make it to the box office. And be SOLD OUT JUST BECAUSE of RAIN!! :P It’s gonna be great!
CC Rayne on 27 April 2008:
Ok I really think Rain should come out with an American album SOON. He can be big! I can feel it…
lol on 2 May 2008:
i really love Rain!! He is soooooooooo hot!!!
Grace on 7 May 2008:
Well, he can speaks English anyway. -_-
Charlotte on 7 May 2008:
I love him. He’s really hot and he’ll be a great job in this film.
I AM SURE.
Charlotte on 7 May 2008:
he’ll do *
mr.lee on 7 May 2008:
rain! he can speaks English anyway
Mr.yosca on 9 May 2008:
Rain! you very cool……….
nes on 11 May 2008:
I’m a fan of rain. but the fact that his debut hollywood film is a big flop! grossing only for $6 mil. hmm…what a pity i thought the movie will be great!!! well i guess not!! its totally BAd,,,but anyway i still love Rain!!!
anotherfan on 11 May 2008:
i read the movie has grossed $20mil. but with all the bad pub. it’s no wonder. they papers sound like they called each other and made a decision on what they all should write. I think they should let the people decide how they feel after seeing the film for themselves instead of trying to make up their minds for them.
this movie seems to be geared towards computer savvy people who enjoy playing video games and are in tune with high tech. one writer says as much.
Rain played the role he was given guite well if the movie flops the blame should rightfully be placed on those who put it together not him.
indri . imnida on 14 May 2008:
two thumbs up for rain!!
i think speed racer is good enough.
i have warched it, and it didn’t makes me bored even the story is really classic and you can guest the ending from the begining movie..