South Korean singer Rain, known as the “King of K-Pop”, released his first album for four years yesterday as part of a long-awaited comeback after mandatory military service.
Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-Hoon, released online his sixth album entitled Rain Effect as well as music videos for its double title numbers 30 Sexy and La Song.
The album is his first since he finished 21 months of military service – mandatory for all able-bodied South Korean men – in July last year.
The 31-year-old composed the songs and wrote the lyrics.
A video for 30 Sexy, posted on YouTube yesterday, features Rain wearing high-waisted suits and high-heeled shoes performing to a melody led by a synthesiser and backed by a simple hip-hop drumbeat.
“In the past, I used to present scenes of clothes being torn off and my torso exposed. I decided to come up with something different this time,” he said.
A video for La Song shows Rain with newly permed hair performing with other dancers to a Latin melody mixed with hip hop, electronic music and rock.
“I made this song which football fans can sing along to cheer their favourite teams during the (Brazil) World Cup”, Rain said.
Rain commands a huge following not only in South Korea but across much of Asia and beyond.
He also starred in several South Korean soap operas and Hollywood action pictures including Ninja Assassin and Speed Racer by the Wachowski Brothers.