Rain is at the forefront of the phenomenon called the “Korean wave,” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_wave) which is a worldwide phenomenon that proliferates Korean culture. This wave has reached the shores of Asia, Europe, South America, North Africa, and as of late, the United States.
In my previous blog, I discussed Americans’ reception of the Korean musical group, the Wonder Girls, and how that is portrayed in our media. Today, I am taking a similar approach with Rain, though his extensive track record leaves much more space for exploration.
In one CNN article, (http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/24/rain.ninja.assassin/index.html), the life and times of Rain are examined in relation to his most recent Hollywood film, Ninja Assassin. Rain first caught the international media’s eye when he captured the #1 rank of Time magazine’s Top 100 Influential People in the world, edging out #2 contestant, Stephen Colbert. Stephen Colbert did not take this favorably, and a fierce rivalry has developed since: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/168351/may-09-2008/stephen-vs--rain
Rain’s rise to the top was an arduous one; largely in part because he lacks Western features- ironically, it is something that many Korean record labels consider a prerequisite. Not surprisingly, Rain faced similar difficulties when debuting in America. Yet, Rain continues to break down cultural walls and the media (including CNN) seems to recognize and praise his effort.
Thus far, Rain has achieved success in America’s film industry, but his original calling, which is singing and dancing, is as of yet in its infancy stage. You guys tell me, would you buy an album with songs like this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X10u3jbwLAA&feature=player_embedded
I can't judge how similar Korean culture is to American culture, but looking at Rain, he seems more American than what I would imagine a traditional Korean looks like. His face, I think, looks Western. His music sounds Western, and they market him like a Western heartbreaker. (The YouTube video of him constantly has him with his clothes off). I’m not sure if that’s how all Korean stars look like or if they try to find stars with more Western features.
ReplyDeleteAs for his popularity, alas, I have not heard of him. I do remember the movie Ninja Assassin but didn’t think much of it. I didn’t know the protagonist was Rain. But then again, I am aloof when it comes to pop culture.
Interesting that Rain's lack of "Westernness" has proved a roadblock in his ascent to popularity. When I traveled in Italy last fall, over and over again I encountered American phrases and American styles that were considered "cool" simply by virtue of their Westernness, and not in and of themselves.
ReplyDeleteI think it's hugely important that musicians like Rain continue to "break down cultural walls" -- not by conforming to American culture, but by bringing their uniqueness to the Western musical scene. Perhaps it's about time for the American global popular culture monopoly be broken.
Personally, I'm not sure I would buy the album -- simply because I'm not the biggest pop fan!
Hmmm. I have never heard of Rain. If I had listened to the song without knowing the artistes I would never have guessed that he was Korean (he sound slike everybody else who sings music in that genre), and I would never have guessed that he is of Asian descent- not because "Asians" sound a certain way, but because there aren't many Asian pop stars in America.
ReplyDeleteSo I feel he's breaking down barriers around what it means to be a celebrity in America, but his music certainly isn't anything new. I wouldn't buy the album, because I don't ever buy albums, but I would appropriate Man Up and listen to it on my iPod :)
I've listened to some K-Pop before, and it seems to me that Korean stars are imaged in the very same way that American ones are. He might be breaking a barrier or two, while others are being constructed in his home country. Let's face it- American cultural models rule the world. Rain is adding ethnic/racial diversity in American music but not much else.
Like the other commenters, I find it fascinating that by "breaking down barriers," Rain is really just trying to be more Western. His music is lyrically and stylistically appropriated from American music--not to mention his clothing (I watched another youtube videos in which he appears wearing a do-rag and a White-Sox flatbrim).
ReplyDeleteGiven this branding, I don't find it "ironic" at all that Korean record labels look for Western features in their stars. What is ironic is that Rain is trying to maintain his identity outside of Western culture, but actively trying to conform to its idioms at the same time.
Perhaps his difficulty in breaking into American pop isn't because he isn't Western enough, it's because he is too Western--and it seems inauthentic. Rain seems like he has a lot of talent, but maybe it would be better served outside of the mold dictated by American Top 40 radio for the past 10 years.
I agree with Doug when he says, "What is ironic is that Rain is trying to maintain his identity outside of Western culture, but actively trying to conform to its idioms at the same time." But this is a standard business model for all pop stars, isn't it? They try to maintain their identities beyond pop culture pablum, even while they're working very hard to fulfill the expectations of their audience. But I admit, I kind of like the kid. He has a great look -- a mix of Asian and western "cool." In the end, however, I'm not sure that Rain is diversifying music as much as he's diversifying opinions of what's "hot." But let's face it: if he can move that needle even a little bit he'll have accomplished something.
ReplyDeleteFrom the American perspective, it seems like international stars must adopt western styles to be successful. This raises, for me, at least two questions.
ReplyDelete1) Is there something about American Culture that makes it incredibly exportable? In other words, Americans export their own culture, and other countries export an Americanized version of their culture. Why is this?
2) Is the American perspective biased? Perhaps Americans are more receptive to Americanized international stars, so the only ones we're exposed to are the Americanized ones. Are there many world famous stars not earning acclaim in America, but finding their fortunes elsewhere while retaining their own cultural identity?
I think American is more exportable, because it is new. Many cultures have their national instruments, traditional themes and song motives that persisted there for many centuries. Through even vague ties to history, music creates special meaning to that particular culture.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that this the case for the American music. Even when it refers to something, it is usually something relatively recent (last century) and something everyone can relate to.
You write: "Rain’s rise to the top was an arduous one; largely in part because he lacks Western features- ironically, it is something that many Korean record labels consider a prerequisite. Not surprisingly, Rain faced similar difficulties when debuting in America." After listening to his music, however, I am not sure if I could make a clear-cut claim that Rain lacks western features. If we want to categorize, we cannot consider his music or even himself as completely incommensurable style to the western one. Perhaps, he was more Korean looking before flooding U.S. markets? And if this is true, what does his transformation tell us? Moreover, when you say that Rain differs from Western pop culture, do you, perhaps, mean that his excessive metro-sexual appearance makes us categorize him more as an Asian, rather than American singer?
ReplyDeleteI think it's possible to be successful without being traditionally Western, but I also think that it's hugely important for said non-traditional person to get some attention from the Western market first. Whoever tops a U.S. or U.K. chart has a significant advantage in gaining international fame. I personally remember Aqua and t.A.T.u taking off on a much wider scale after they became popular in the UK and then in America. It seems to me that more diverse music seems to first capture the UK market, which then gives it a shot at the U.S. I think this explains the international success of a lot of European acts. Asian singers, however, don't get attention from Britain, which means they have to target the U.S. directly.
ReplyDeleteAll that said, I loved the song and I'm glad I was exposed to Rain's music.
It's impossible to tell that Rain is actually Korean, and not an Asian-American pop star by looking at pictures of him, and his music is indistinguishable from any American pop group, at least to my untrained ear. His attempts to remain an individual seem insincere after listening to his music. In contrast to his very American music, he has been cast in the stereotypical "Jackie Chan" Asian action figure roles. This is probably because he can hide his Korean heritage in his music in a way he can't in movies. Right now he seems to be split between the Asian stereotype, which is an American stereotype, and being thoroughly American. I wonder if he will try to consolidate his image or if he will continue on the path he is on?
ReplyDelete