Tag: Rain

[series] Rain’s World of Endorsements: A BMW, Bullets and a Broken Heart.

~ Michele ~ Leave a comment

Michele's avatarCloud USA

Cloud cover by:  Michele, Staff Writer

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When was the last time a commercial made you cry?  Has one ever made you cry?  Maybe this one might push you to the verge of waterworks just a little bit, especially if you are a hopeless romantic like me and you adore Rain.

One of the best discoveries I have made since falling down the K-rabbit hole is the commercial film (CF).  In my opinion, these mini-productions are given the same care, attention and importance as any film or drama.  I love that dedication and respect for this particular genre in Asia – it is art after all.  The extended commercial films are pure entertainment and marketing gold.  My first (and don’t condemn on this) was Lee Min Ho’s The One and Only for Toyota. I was blown away.  I thought to myself, this is brilliant marketing.  Not only that, what…

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[series] Rain’s World of Endorsements: Dancing in the Bidanbi Rain

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Michele's avatarCloud USA

Cloud cover by:  Michele, Staff Writer

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Contemplating Rain’s early years continues to hold me in complete awe of his many accomplishments.  His endless capacity to muscle through the difficult times is a true testament not only to his strength and fortitude, but to his core belief that he was capable of being everything he dreamt of being and more.  I think this is something he carries with him to this day, and has always carried with him.  It is what fuels him.

It is no wonder then that in 2002, the same year he debuted as a solo artist, he began his endorsement onslaught in Asia.  All I can say is this: if I were quietly sitting in my living room watching the latest K-drama and the following CF came on my television screen, I would have probably sit straight up and screamed…..noogooseyo???  The opening scene of…

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[series] Rain’s World of Endorsements: FuMa-licious!

~ Michele ~ Leave a comment

I like to write about Rain….does it show? ♥♥

Michele's avatarCloud USA

Cloud cover by:  Michele, Staff Writer

Fuma2Is it just me, or does Rain look delectably and deliciously happy when he is eating?  I cannot imagine him ever turning down an opportunity to endorse food – especially something sweet!

Back in 2007, Rain signed on to endorse FuMa Cakes in China.  Generally, it seems that in Asia signing on for an endorsement is a big deal, like in press conference big deal.  Unlike here in the States, I believe a lucrative endorsement in Asia is indeed a celebrated event complete with press (obviously) and perhaps even some champagne.  Fijan Fuma Foods Group was clearly happy with Rain on board for this campaign.  Golden boy meets golden snack cakes?  Yep, that works!

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[Fangirl Footnote:  Isn’t he so perfectly handsome in that chocolate sweater and tortoise-shell framed glasses?]

Decked in white, ethereal and angelic, I love the way he moves throughout…

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TVXQ TUESDAY – One

~ Michele ~ 7 Comments

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The way these young men can bring the steady and harmonized vocals in their more upbeat and dance-oriented songs is wonderful.  But, when it is ballad time, there is simply nothing sweeter.  Each voice unique, each one having its rightful place, each one stellar on its own yet when combined with the other, a synergistic feast.  So lovely.

In this offering I will have to honestly admit that Jaejoong and Changmin were working their vocal magic on me.  And, Changmin’s soulful glances while singing kind of stirred a mini spaz in me and he is not even my bias. But I am not going to deny that he’s looking right cute in this video!! From their third studio album “O” – Jung.Ban.Hap., released in 2006, this TVXQ Tuesday song for you is One (not to be confused with Rain’s One – you knew I’d sneak him in somehow)!

Anyone else crushing a little on Changmin after this one??

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[Photo credit:  koreanstar-gdragon.blogspot.com/Video credit:  kat2wierdo]

The Wonderful World of a Rain Endorsement

~ Michele ~ 2 Comments

Well, hey now…..THIS is kind of maybe just a little bit AWESOME!

Michele's avatarCloud USA

— Cloud cover by: Michele, Staff Writer

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I used to think that it was kind of a sell out when celebrities both in the entertainment and sports worlds would lend their image to a specific product – otherwise known as the ‘endorsement.’    It is clearly a win-win situation for both the endorser and endorsee  – I get it!  It’s a true moneymaker for both as well as exposure.  But I have to tell you, when I saw the kinds of endorsements coming out of Asia, I had to pause and say to myself….maybe this endorsement thing is not such a bad gig, especially when Rain is attached to the product.

In my ever-growing quest to know all there is about Rain I would be remiss and certainly selling myself short if I didn’t have a look at his endorsements.  And with his recent activity for Mentholatum and upcoming appearance…

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[announcement] A very special New on the Block.

~ Michele ~ 10 Comments

DAEBAK!! I am so excited to be joining the Cloud USA team and look forward to letting the world know how much I admire, respect , support, and am inspired by the amazing Rain!

Cloud USA's avatarCloud USA

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We are pleased to announce that community member Michele DeMarco has accepted a Staff Writer position here on our Cloud USA media blog.

She started her own Korean-interest blog several months ago, and wholeheartedly admits to being a K-Drama addict. K-Pop? Absolutely, she digs it as well. 🙂

Being fairly new to the K-World, she’s having a great time seeing and hearing and absorbing new things, especially about the world star who has truly lit a fire under her—Rain. Not only did she fly in to support him at his Army discharge in Seoul, she also made some Cloud noise at the Arirang World Peace Festival in Washington D.C.

Please join us in welcoming her, and support her well as she eases into her new role.

Thanks, everyone. Congrats, Michele!

— Stephe ^@@^ and Terri :-}

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New Orleans or Burst….Cloud Burst, That Is

~ Michele ~ 23 Comments

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When Cloud USA announced that it was going to have its next meeting/fan gathering (aptly called a Cloud Burst) in New Orleans I thought to myself, hmmmmm, a group of Rain fans gathered together to celebrate Rain in a city known for its festive atmosphere pretty much every day of the year? That sounded like a complete win-win situation to me.  And, it was.

Continue reading “New Orleans or Burst….Cloud Burst, That Is” →

TVXQ Tuesday – Wrong Number

~ Michele ~ 2 Comments

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So last week I was cracking out on Mirotic – which is easy to do.  I woke up again this morning with TVXQ on my mind and thought ok, I see a pattern here.  Seems TVXQ likes to invade my mind space on Tuesdays which is ok since it seems every other day of the week my mind space is duly occupied by Rain.  Tuesdays then will be my time to pause and show some love to TVXQ.  And by TVXQ I mean the group as a whole as they once were.  The five of them.  The five voices united in what is probably the best combo of voices I think K-pop has ever heard.

If you take some time to listen to these five work together you will notice a synergy that is so in place – and not just vocally.  They even seem to navigate the stage around each other while dancing with a telepathy all of its own.

Seriously, in that one I can’t even pick a favorite and you all know I am generally partial to Junsu!!! But in that performance, they are all working the hot factor pretty well!

[Photo credit:  http://ddramatards.wordpress.com/Video credit:  Titus88]

The Back Up Dancer That Could

~ Michele ~ 8 Comments

I know that this is going to come as no surprise, but I woke this morning thinking about Rain.  I was thinking how awesome it must be that he finally completed his military service and that he is able to enjoy his time exactly the way he wants to enjoy it.  I was thinking about how hard he has worked to get where he is today and how his rise to fame was no easy task.  Of course, I am ALWAYS thinking about how handsome he is and how his beauty both inside and out just takes my breath away.

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Then I remembered this video.  He was only a back up dancer at this point and this only a rehearsal,  yet all the signs were there of what was to unfold.

[Video credit:  maruborarain2]

When I watch Rain in these early clips, I am constantly reminded of how he performs from somewhere deep within himself and how he never fails to give 200%, even when just a back up dancer.   So, I wanted to come here to share it even though I am quite sure every Rain fangirl out there has seen it (and likely more than once)!  It is still a potent reminder of his incredible talent and that his hunger to succeed and be the best is a constant source of inspiration not only to himself, but to many of us who admire him so much.  Dance on, Rain….