Article: Ministry of Defense "We admit that we are partial to Rain, but rumors of a forced reenlistment are not true" official statement

Source: Mydaily via Nate

1. [+1,048, -40] They admitted their favoritism ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I won't forget this ㅋㅋㅋㅋ you ba$tards

2. [+844, -36] Is the Ministry really saying this? Favoritism? What is that Rain ba$tard even worth?

3. [+703, -50] It doesn't matter if the Ministry is behind him, Rain is trash. All those controversies with his leaves and still caught on On Scene 21. Don't reenlist, just live the rest of your life getting hate.

4. [+53, -9] It's true that the student cheated on his test but rumors of us forcing him to retake the test are not true.

5. [+40, -7] The ministry might as well be his agency at this point

6. [+36, -5] I wonder how much Rain fed the ministry that they're shielding him like this? ㅋㅋ

-

Article: [Exclusive] Politicians discuss possibly reenlisting Rain... big controversy to be expected

Source: Newsis via Naver

1. [+10,584, -1,449] Vote up if you agree on a reenlistment~

2. [+8,373, -211] Throw that Boom ba$tard back in too. What kind of a soldier gets 150 days of vacation?

3. [+6,558, -411] If you are going to make them reenlist, put them somewhere hard like the search party.

4. [+5,795, -102] Pretty sure there are a lot of politicians who evaded service as well

5. [+5,641, -642] Finally the politicians do something right for the citizens

6. [+4,815, -355] I hope they'll make every celebrity soldier reenlist, especially Rain. I'd much rather serve twice and receive less hate.

7. [+4,318, -312] They're doing something good for the first time in a while.

8. [+4,066, -181] In before Rain becomes an American citizen

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Article: Reps of politician Kim Kwang Jin clarify Rain's reenlistment rumors

Source: TV Daily via Nate

"We are talking about the issue of Rain's reenlistment but our focus is not on that but rather the fact that 10 celebrity soldiers were admitted into the unit despite not having the proper documentation in their applications. The politican is not working to force a reenlistment but rather bring the topic to the table. The final decision is up to the Ministry."

1. [+764, -66] Honestly, Rain, Boom, Sangchu, and Se7en are... disgusting.

2. [+731, -81] Just volunteer to reenlist instead of thinking of coming out on TV and acting all masculine ㅡㅡ

3. [+528, -46] One's for Rain, one's for Sangchu and 7~ ^^
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Article: Rain was passed into the celebrity soldiers unit without the necessary document submissions... special treatment by the director?

Source: TV Report via Naver

Rain and 10 other celebrity soldiers were discovered to have not submitted the necessary documents (experience, proof of show/event appearances, recommendation letters, interview process) before being admitted into the celebrity soldiers unit.

1. [+3,385, -119] You and Boom will remain in history as the worst celebrity soldiers ever

2. [+2,828, -100] Amazing how much more comes out the deeper you dig ㅋㅋㅋ

3. [+2,696, -115] Nothing can save him at this point other than a reenlistment...

4. [+2,234, -51] With the army in such a state, what mother would want to send her son to the army... These celebrities already have wealth and honor, why are they asking our sons to protect our country with their lives on the line instead?

5. [+1,835, -81] Guys, the most powerful person in all of this is Jung Jihoon! I mean, even the ministry of defense is under his control!

6. [+1,530, -52] This article should've been released before his discharge... Rain has such a way with avoiding stuff like this with good timing.

7. [+1,160, -44] Rain should just run away to another country

-

Reader request.

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Article: Psy, TOP, Rain, Se7en... American media outlet chooses the top 10 K-Pop sexy men

Source: Dispatch via Naver

1. [+660, -47] Rain? Not sexy but lewd

2. [+615, -24] Take out Se7en and Rain

3. [+486, -165] Isn't it hilarious how Psy, TOP, and "Rain" are included in the title... when it's actually Choi Siwon in 3rd place? Why is Rain in the title? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

4. [+434, -21] And so the media play begins

5. [+397, -41] TOP really is sexy without needing to show skin..

6. [+324, -8] Psy's amazing for showing that even an ajusshi with a fat tummy like him can still make it on a sexy list

7. [+249, -13] I really wanna know why Rain is so popular overseas; Did he hit daebak with something?

8. [+184, -4] It's actually Siwon and Jay Park in 3rd and 4th but Rain and Se7en, who are 5th and 10th, are the names included in the title... You journalists are mean

9. [+196, -17] Rain and Se7en must've gotten sexier after getting all those massages

10. [+165, -9] Celebrity soldiers should be forced to wear GPS in their underwear

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Article: Rain leaves three minutes after discharge as if he's running away

Source: TV Report via Naver

1. [+3,822, -239] Vote up if you want Rain to reenlist~

2. [+3,008, -64] He's out of uniform for the majority of his service and suddenly decides to wear it for his discharge... What a celebrity

3. [+2,528, -57] Now it's time to squeeze out a few tears on Healing Camp ㅋㅋㅋ

4. [+2,301, -92] Why did he leave so soon? Got a massage parlor appointment to catch?

5. [+2,108, -52] Sorry, but the term discharge is only used for soldiers who completed their service

6. [+1,735, -45] If someone who didn't know the scandal read this, they'd think he was being released from jail ㅋㅋ

7. [+1,545, -46] Running away ㅋㅋ he's like being chased away ㅋㅋㅋ

8. [+1,364, -48] This footage of him running away may as well be the last footage we see of him on TV...

9. [+1,024, -32] It took him that long to run away? Three minutes is quite a long time

10. [+303, -13] He was even released at 8:05 AM... Wow. Non-celebrity soldiers start their discharge process at 9 and are actually discharged way later..

-

Article: 'Filial' Rain, heads directly to his mother's grave after discharge...

Source: Star News via Naver

1. [+212, -26] I wonder how hard he and his agency had to rack their heads to come up with this media play. Amazing, truly amazing.

2. [+177, -23] I understand why he'd want to visit his mother... but with all those vacation days, he spent them with his girlfriend.. and it's only now when he's stuck in a rut that he goes to visit his mother???

3. [+149, -26] If you feel apologetic at all to your mother, reenlist.

4. [+19, -0] He had all those free days he could've spent visiting her but of course he has to use his discharge day.

5. [+18, -1] You had all that time to meet up with Kim Tae Hee but not to see your mother, huh? Now that you've discharged after fooling around all those months, you're thinking of your mother? And this journalist is calling you filial... tsk tsk

6. [+14, -5] It wouldn't have killed him to visit her when the media quieted down about him... How could he use his mother for his own image marketing... The trashiest of trash.

7. [+13, -0] Way to sell your emotions ㅋㅋㅋ Why couldn't he have visited when he was out and about out of uniform visiting massage parlors?

8. [+10, -0] Isn't he embarrassed at all to be seeing his mother ilke this...

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Article: "I was raped by Rain"... 50 year old woman puts up a banner spreading false claims

Source: Segye via Nate

The woman has been running a gallery in Rain's building since 2009. Rain filed a lawsuit against her in 2010 because she stopped paying rent. She filed a counter suit claiming that Rain had not repaired the building, damaging several of her paintings. In January of 2013, after losing the lawsuit, the woman started putting up banners claiming that Rain raped, threatened, and tried to rob her. The court fined her $3,000 USD for spreading false claims.

1. [+265, -80] He's obviously trying to change public perception of him... Headline something that will make people feel bad and get the media to sympathize.. This is unfortunate but has nothing to do with his crimes. He's going to end up like Yoo Seung Joon if he doesn't put himself in the guardhouse or reenlist.

2. [+158, -22] If the ajumma was in her twenties, this might've become a Park Shi Hoo case... She chose the wrong time

3. [+90, -19] So many innocent people! ㅋㅋㅋ Rain doesn't have much left until his discharge and we all know the entire nation is hating on him so why do you think such an old incident is only headlining now? ㅋㅋㅋ Think about it! Because Rain's agency wants everyone to sympathize and feel bad for him. Too bad, Rain! You're still trash!

4. [+16, -4] Things to remember
a. This ajumma is definitely in the wrong.
b. Rain trash's agency is media playing to earn sympathy.
c. Rain has three days left until his discharge, why do you think there is no news on that?
d. This incident happened a long time ago. Why is it only headlining now? Why three days before his discharge?
e. Remember the crimes Rain committed in the army.
f. Everyone is being fooled by this media play. It's intention is only to lessen the hate he will receive once he's out.

5. [+15, -3] This incident happened three years ago and it's been six months since the lawsuit cleared. Why... three days before Rain's discharge.. is it headlining? Especially since it's such an old controversy. Anyone smell anything??

-

Article: Ministry of National Defense "Rain will not receive disciplinary action... to discharge on the 10th as planned"

Source: Star News via Naver

1. [+1,940, -40] So the Ministry is trash...

2. [+1,853, -31] Oh Jong Hyuk delayed his discharge for extra training... while Rain is delaying his wrong for discharge...

3. [+1,327, -20] What a joke... Other soldiers are sent to the guardhouse just for taking his hat off but these special celebrities are free of all charges even when they're drinking around, carrying around cellphones, and out of uniform.

4. [+1,312, -20] Every Korean soldier should have a drinking party after a hard day's work! After all, the ministry itself said that it's okay if it's for 'encouragement'. Rain and the other celebrity soldiers have done something great for us all!

5. [+1,273, -19] They're really trying all they can to make sure that this passes quietly, aren't they when the entire country is watching this issue.

6. [+948, -10] The show clearly showed Rain with a cellphone in possession... so why is he still being discharged on the 10th?

7. [+895, -6] So I guess all of the new recruits can enlist in civilian clothing, smartphones, and $170, right?

8. [+748, -7] Yeah, we all knew this would happen.

9. [+572, -13] Obviously they rammed money into them... The rest will receive minimal punishment as well ㅋ What a great country

10. [+422, -8] They can't punish him because that basically means they're admitting that they screwed up as admins

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Article: "Rain's exclusive contract fee is $0" Rain and Hong Seung Sung's special loyalty

Source: Newsen via Nate

1. [+123, -13] Rain trash trying to media play to recover his image before his discharge

2. [+114, -15] Don't media play, you trash

3. [+91, -11] He has 600,000 active duty soldier antis and 1.5 million recruit antis... Looks like he's going to have to live an unemployed life for the rest of his life with the money he's made until now~~

4. [+20, -4] Who in their right mind would sign Rain on right now... He should be grateful he even has this company. To put it simply, his career is fu*kin over..

5. [+19, -2] Contracting around with entertainment agencies when he should be reflecting.

6. [+18, -5] This so called loyalty is only between you two. Don't media play, it's disgusting.

7. [+15, -2] Companies like this are the bigger problem for taking in trash like him

8. [+15, -3] Rain's image will forever be in the trash no matter what he does.

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Article: [Exclusive] Rain voluntarily gives up his last holiday... to discharge on the 10th

Source: Star News via Nate

1. [+1,407, -44] The majority of the celebrity soldiers serving in their thirties... are all worth less than Yoo Seung Ho, who's serving as a research assistant

2. [+1,377, -93] He's going to work hard on the rest of his enlist?? Talk about taking a sh*t ^^ㅗ The correct answer is to go back and serve 21 months all over again

3. [+1,219, -53] I don't know much about the army but if any other soldier got into the scandal he did, wouldn't he be penalized and have his discharge date delayed?

4. [+86, -2] Doesn't need a vacation when his entire service was a vacation

5. [+70, -3] Why now when he's about to discharge? Is he just now worried about his promotions? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

6. [+59, -5] ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

7. [+56, -4] Army service
Park Hyung Shik (1 week) > Rain (full service)

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Hello there sweet honey cakes!! This week's Feature Friday is about one of my all-time favorite Korean celebrities, Rain <3 If you're familiar with the kdrama world, then I'm sure you have heard of him quite a few times by now. I have been waiting to write this post for a few weeks now, because he is turning 31 on June 25th, 2013. That's on Tuesday for me :) I'm sure fans around the world will be celebrating it!

Jung Ji-Hoon is known in many countries by his stage name Rain. In some parts of China it is Yu, Bi in Korea, and Pi in Japan. 

The first movie I saw him in was the 2006 Korean romantic comedy titled I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay. 

This is a VERY adorable movie about a girl who believes she is a cyborg and get's sent to a mental institution where she meets Park Il-Soon (Rain).

Rain is in Several other movies and shows, including Full House (2004), A Love to Kill (2005) and the American movie Ninja Assassin (2009).

Rain showing off for the camera on the set of Ninja Assassin  ^_~

Currently, Rain is serving his 21 month Military Service, which started on October 11th, 2011.

Rain in his uniform

I found a countdown someone created for him showing the days, minutes and hours until he is released from the Military. Check it out!

Countdown!

In 2006, Rain was mention in a Time Magazine article that listed "100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World". In 2007, he was on People Magazine's "Most Beautiful People" list.

Rain in People Magazine

I am really looking forward to seeing him in more movies and dramas in the future!! He seems to be such a unique person with a lot of charisma :) His comeback can't come soon enough <3

funny faces in A Love to Kill :3

This is too funny XD

~So-Ra <3

This post will be a little less about Korea and a little more about me, the author of this blog ^.^ I thinks it's time I introduced myself in a little more detail. So let's start!

1. You may or may not have guessed this but So-Ra is not my real name. It's not so much that I wish to hide from anyone. In fact, I have told most of my friends about this blog and they are probably the ones reading this right now :) I thought it would be fun to have a cute alias...........kind of like a stage name I suppose.

2. I am going to be a Junior in high school this year and I can't wait to graduate!

     

3. My birthday is on November 13th so I'm a Scorpio ;)

4. I really love to draw and paint..........I guess just making art in general is fun :)

5. Before I watched Korean dramas I watched anime quite a bit. Some of my favorites are: Samurai Champloo, Soul Eater, Death Note (I still haven't finished it) and Darker Than Black.

6. When I was in eighth grade I dreamed of becoming a YA fiction novel writer. 

7. When I was three my mom put me in ballet, tap and gymnastics classes but then we moved and I didn't take my next ballet class until the age of 10. It was only a trial class and I felt awkward and didn't go back. On February 2nd, 2012 I started taking classes at my current studio. I now take three classes a week and will be en pointe soon :)

8. I am a bit of a clean freak, but on the other hand I can be extremely lazy. The laziness leads to a messy room, which then leads my life spiraling out of balance. To me, A Clean Room = A Successful Life XD

9. A few years ago, I became entirely obsessed with Criss Angel. If you are not familiar with him, he is a magician and illusionist and an extremely charismatic human being x _ x I still have quite a bit of respect for him, but that phase passed :P

10. I went to Thailand once for three weeks when I was 13. It was AWESOME!! On the way back we even stayed at a hotel in Seoul, South Korea. I remember being so amazed because there were TWO flat-screen TV's, A laptop, a small bathroom, and then another bathroom with a sauna @.@ And because it was in December it was freezing cold. The kind of cold that goes straight through your clothes and chills your bones. Too bad I hadn't gotten in to Kdrama yet, or I would have been even more excited then I already was :)

Thanks for reading and make sure to check back for more posts!! Or you can follow be through email or google :)

~So-Ra <3

Article: Relay Interview - Kim Tae Hee "My love with Rain, we are both doing well"

Source: Sports Seoul via Nate

1. [+474, -109] Can you just stop dating him? You really can do better..

2. [+298, -66] Her only flaw

3. [+165, -25] Well, they say that people like her never listen until they experience the full deal... You can tell her a bunch of times that 'XXX is this type of person' but they'll never listen. Doesn't matter how many netizens tell her to stop dating Rain.

4. [+35, -20] Break up

5. [+26, -10] Why? Unni, you can do so much better ㅜㅜ

6. [+24, -14] People are so cruel... What's it to us when they're dating because they love each other? Rain never got this much hate when he was still promoting... People think they can talk bad about him just because he's in the army now. Why's it matter who can do better? Just say it if you're jealous~~~

7. [+24, -6] She really seems to have a positive personality~

8. [+23, -17] Not only are her ears plugged but her nose seems to be plugged up too considering she can't differentiate the smell between poop and bean paste that she has to eat it to tell. I feel so very bad for her......

9. [+19, -14] Aigoo... I'm so against this relationship! But.. if they're in love, I guess I can't do anything but applaud them ㅠㅠㅠ

10. [+18, -13] Because of Rain, Kim Tae Hee's quality has dropped! She has brains but doesn't know how to put them to use!

11. [+18, -15] No nuna, I don't want you to get along with him. It's a huge negative to your image. Why do you like him anyway? He's not a world star, he's not even the dirt on Psy's toe nail. He doesn't sing, he threw away MBLAQ..

12. [+17, -10] Just limit it to dating.. ㅠㅠ Don't get married to him.. ever...

-

By Lollipop Boys I mean characters who always have a lollipop in their mouths, at least most of the time. There are two lollipop boys I have in mind, although there are probably more that I don't know of yet :P Isn't it just the cutest thing when guys in Kdramas have a thing for lollipops? I think so!! ^_~

The first is actor Rain as Kang Bok-Gu in A Love to Kill

Personally I think Rain could pull off pretty much anything so of course he'll look amazing with a pink lollipop XD

The other lollipop sporting character is Kwon Ji-Hyuk played by Sung Joon in Shut Up! Flower Boy Band

Both of these characters are relatively rough and in a way angry. The lollipops help soften their character and gives them some depth.

I really wanted to post today, and this is what I came up with. It's a bit random, however I thought it was funny that two different characters had the same habit :) Have a fabulous week everyone!!

~So-Ra

I've completed twelve Korean dramas in total so far and there are few that really stood out to me :) Here are six of my favorites ( I couldn't choose only five XD).

- A Love to Kill

This drama stars two of my favorite actors, Shin Min-Ah and Rain. It's actually quite melancholy, but the acting and the unique characters really draw you in. If you are one of those people who cry easily when watching movies or shows, I HIGHLY suggest have tissues handy :P

- Coffee Prince

An absolutely adorable show with Yoon Eun-Hye playing the lead girl who is often mistaken as a boy. There are a lot of funny moments, however, there are some sad ones too. I was reluctant to try this show at first, but finally I gave in and I'm so glad I tried it!

- You Are Beautiful

Like Coffee Prince, this show has a bit of a gender mix-up as well :P Park Shin-Hye (middle right) plays a girl who must pretend to be her brother and join a famous Korean boy band. Jang Geun Suk is the main male character and this show definitely wouldn't be the same without him and his hilarious expressions.

- Boys Over Flowers/Boys Before Flowers

This was the very first Korean drama I watched, so of course it has to be on my list of favorites :) There are some very silly and over the top scenes that will make you laugh at their ridiculousness. Lee Min-Ho, Kim Hyun-Joong and Kim Bum add some irresistible eye-candy and romance. If you want something fun to watch, with the usual touch of drama, personally I would highly recommend this ^_~

- Shut Up & Let's Go/Shut Up! Flower Boy Band

This is a more recent show, however, it has a flavor all it's own. I watched this drama fairly quickly because it really hooks you. There is no shortage of cute boys here, just add a touch of romance and (of course) drama and you have an extremely addicting show :) 

- Secret Garden

Secret Garden is a very popular Korean show, and for good reason too. This show will make you laugh and cry and you might even start ordering characters around (I know I did!) ^.^ There are some supernatural elements, but it doesn't take over the show entirely. Personally, I thought the first few episodes were a bit slow, but keep watching because it gets better!! 

Feel free to comment with any of your favorite dramas (or movies), I'd love to hear from you :3 

~So-Ra <3