Asian pop sensation Rain says the inspiration for his latest single "Love Song" came from his own experiences.

The artist made the remark during a press conference for his new album "BACK TO THE BASICS" held Monday at the KT Building in Youido.

He is set to return to the Korean music scene with his special album due out April 7 featuring the title track "Love Song," the first in two years since releasing his last studio album "Rainism" in 2008.

10: Your first song off the new album is a ballad instead of a dance song and you have taken on an androgynous image which is different from your previous images. What was the reason behind this attempt?
Rain: I want to show a definite change because it has been eight years since I made my debut. I had recorded "Love Song" when "Rainism" was unveiled. With "Song" I took out the embellishments and released something light. I was looking to perform an authentic ballad. After promoting “Song,” I am thinking of promoting "Hip Song," a dance track from the album. My androgynous image is a ground breaking attempt. I wanted to stimulate the listeners through my eyebrows, vest, leather pants and hat which do are impossible to match with the bling bling music. Releasing the music will be the first round and I want to show new things through my performances on stage. I want to put on a performance that will satisfy the audience's ears and eyes.

10: The title of your album is "BACK TO THE BASIC." Is there any particular reason for this?
Rain: I was planning on releasing an album at the end of this year. And I would have to release records simultaneously in Korea, the United States, Asia and Europe but my drama and film got pushed back by two months. I already had the songs and the choreography ready so I decided I want to go back to my original resolution and have them hear unembellished and light music. Some people have been asking why promote in Korea but Asia is at the center of the world now and Korea is at the center of Asia. And of course taking care of my Korean fans is my priority.

10: How are plans for your U.S. album release going?
Rain: First off I want to say that my career as an actor in the United States is going smoothly. (laugh) In Asia, I gained recognition by appearing in a drama first and then popularity through singing. And I didn't intend on it but I think I'm stepping the same path in the U.S. right now too. I think my acting career is going well and after 'Rain' becomes a household name and the U.S. audiences soon break away from the stereotype that I'm an action star, I want to release an album. I have plans on filming a movie first and after I have established myself as an actor I hope that the record will follow suit.



10: What kind of personal impact did promoting Hollywood picture "Ninja Assassin" have on you?
Rain: It made me understand the meaning of being able to do anything in this big world. In Asia, people knew who I was through my drama "Full House" but in the U.S. and Europe, I had to make my name known through "Ninja Assassin." That movie helped me become known as an action star and it gave me a chance to shoot a commercial. It was a tough eight months but I gained a lot at the same time. It was a very happy promotion.

10: There was an article saying that you will be starring in a drama. How are those plans coming along?
Rain: I am currently in talks in starring in a drama. It is a drama that I have been looking forward to doing but nothing concrete has been set yet so we are discussing many things right now. I think the drama will probably come out in September or October.

10: There are other artists who are returning to stage so there seems to be fierce competition.
Rain: Right now I don't feel I'm returning to the stage to gain something. Rather, I'm out to have fun. It is more important to show the different dimensions of myself. It is the prelude to entering a bigger market. Last week when we were pre-recording a show I didn't know anyone on stage. (laugh) I know that Lee Hyori will be making a comeback and since I know her it will be fun and not as boring.

10: Right now the big thing is idol groups, do you feel any burden?
Rain: I think I am in the middle generation in the music industry. There are my senior singers such as Park Jin-young and Yang Hyun-suk and I have many junior singers after me which focus on different markets. For me, I feel like I have to succeed in the China, all of Asia and the U.S. market. The idol groups are all talented but I feel that I am responsible in opening a door so they can begin their worldly activities. I will work hard to be a better model so that we can enjoy the stardom together.


10: How long will you promote your album and do you have any plans on appearing in variety programs?
Rain: Since my debut I had received lots of love through variety programs. I want to show everything that I can while promoting this album because I intended on going back to my original resolution and work hard on this release. As long as the audience don't feel uncomfortable about it, I want to be in as many variety shows as possible. I plan on promoting my album for about two months before I begin shooting a drama and movie. I have an upcoming tour in Japan so I will be visiting several cities in the country but I think I'll be able to manage both by going back and forth till early May.

10: Your last album received a parental advisory label due to the title track containing suggestive lyrics. I don't think the lyrics for this album will be much of a problem. Were you considering possible problems?
Rain: I didn't think there were any suggestive lyrics in "Rainism" but others may have thought otherwise. Honestly, I had a hard time because of that but that doesn't mean I would intentionally make the lyrics nicer. I made this album two years ago and I believe that the listeners will love the song.

10: Where did you get the inspiration for the lyrics of "Love Song?"
Rain: It's all from my own experience. I wrote the lyrics to the song thinking about why we love and we get hurt from love. For "Love Song," I was watching an old movie where a guy paces back and forth in front of the girl's house and I remembered that I had experienced that too so I tried writing and producing this song.

10: What was it like working with Korean actress Han Ye-seul for the music video for "Love Song?"
Rain: I am so grateful to Han Ye-seul. We asked Han last minute to appear in the video and she accepted willingly. It was a fun time while shooting the video and on set she had this ability to make those around her feel good.

10: Since your last album, you've been doing the actual writing and producing. What are some of the things that have changed?
Rain: I thought to myself that I can do actually do this too. When I was under JYP, Park Jin-young was in charge of music and I was in charge of producing what would happen on stage and selecting my next drama or movie role. But after I became independent from him, I was concerned for a long time with what kind of style I should go with. It was hard having to go on stage and put on a new type of performance that the audience would be satisfied with. That is how I came up with "Rainism." At the time I had many concerns but while studying and learning a lot, I found out that I had an aptitude for this kind of thing. In order for me to make progress, I listened to a lot of music. I think I became an adult by trying, getting hurt and scarred.

10: You mentioned getting hurt. Which scar hurt the most?
Rain: That I was weak. As an entertainer, one has to practice immense self-control and hide many things. It is important to figure out how to overcome that situation and there are times things will be difficult that you just want to quit everything. And songwriting and writing dramas are both creation but trying to figure out what to wear on stage and how the performance will unfold or what to say at a promotional event too is creation and there were times I was in agony over such things. That is why I made a habit of looking at myself in the mirror every morning. I look at myself in the eyes once a day and hypnotize myself to believe that I can do it. I think that's how I was able to develop, by winning in the fight against myself. I feel that I am becoming a stronger guy who can overcome anything.

10: The talenthouse that you set up has gotten pretty big. Your company has branched out into fashion and you manage the idol group MBLAQ. Can you tell us about the outcome so far and your future plans?
Rain: I am not part of the company's management. The company's work is managed by the CEO and I have no relations to that. I am just one of the entertainers that signed with the company who just engages in as a creative artists on the label side. That is why I was in charge of producing MBLAQ and working as a designer as well. As of now, we are planning to set up plans which will bring developments in many ways.

10: In your "VIP thanks to," you thanked CJ Group's Lee Mi-kyung and others in the financial world. What ties do you have with them?
Rain: We are like family. I was given lots of advice on many things and they were always there taking care of me or whenever I was having a hard time. Whenever there was something big going on or I was feeling bad, they were there to consult me and make me feel better.

10: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Rain: I'm sorry to say this but I think my fans are entering their 30s with me. It won't be much longer until I reach that age. (laugh) That is why I feel like they are like my actual older or younger sisters and brothers. I can actually show that I am feeling lonely in front of them, as if they are family. The main reason I came back is for my fans. I wasn't trying to gain anything from it but I wanted to show my fans something before the year is over. Right now I'm in a trial and error period where some things are failures while others are successes and I feel the score right now is 7:3 in favor of success. I will work hard to make the score a lot better.

Senior Reporter : Kang Myoung-Seok two@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr, Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr
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Source: AsiaE 1, 2