hahahahaha!
HAHAHAHAHA!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Can't stand it - need more space to LAUGH OUT LOUD!
HHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!
just a touch of brilliance there dramabeans!

hahahahahaha!
i cannot stop laughing at this column.
it's so perfect - in every way~!

I'm not really a Rain fan but to be honest I feel a bit sorry for the guy. I don't want to see him fail but not being able to speak English means he will never be as big a star in the West as he seems to want to be. It's almost like he's setting himself up for failure, because everything has been so ridiculously overhyped (especially his part in Speed Racer). Not to mention that his popularity in Asia is starting to wane, too.

I totally agree with you re his needing a good manager. If JYP had really intended for Rain to be a "global star", he'd have started him on intensive English training right from the start, kind of like how SM trains certain people in Japanese very early into their careers.

I kinda feel sorry for him :( hopefully he will learn English before he does his crossover :) Good Luck Bi.....

I wish Bi the best. I believe he thinks he will get as far as he wants to, but you are right, his english will be the main thing that holds him back. I admit his voice isnt the strongest , but he is a great entertainer and works hard at what he does. Se7en's english has improved greatly but I dont think he has the charisma or the ambition. I kinda wish that Minwoo (there I go referring to Shinhwa again) was still serious about trying the US market. His English isnt great either but I think he's the most talented and better looking of the three.

this cracked me up a bit. I'm thinking the same thing: I doubt Rain will ever acheive a huge career in the US but I do admire him for trying and you know what, sometimes having no ceiling is better than having a short one. I wish him all the best ~ but I have to say there are plenty of Asians that CAN speak English and they can't break into the big business but we'll see...

Hey, if Marky Mark and his good vibrations can do it...so can Bi, it's just too bad he doesn't have the same level of English proficiency. ;)

I actually don't like JYP's attempt at bringing Korean born talents to the US simply because they are easier to influence and mold. He pretty much said it himself in one of his documentaries (saw it a long time ago)...and I just find that pretty manipulative, especially when his very young stars are in America and without their real families. There are plenty of talented Asian Americans who could use JYP's network but because they will have a mind of their own artistically, he probably doesn't want to deal with them.

Besides, he made G-Soul work with R.Kelly...a singer who compared his struggles of pissing on an underage girl to Muhammid Ali....and that's just stupid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSdp_HpzqRs

I always thought he was a decent actor. Perhaps he should go back to acting in dramas, he was adorable in "Full House." Can't help feeling a bit sorry for him, he is trying very hard.

A few of my friends ran into Se7en in LA a few months ago. They approached him by asking him (in English) for autographs and were surprised by his fluency in speaking. He told them that he was in LA for a recording, so I'm assuming he's working on his U.S. debut.

I think he may have more potential than Rain, but like you said, he's still virtually unknown outside Asia.

Hi javabeans, enjoyed reading this article.
Nevertheless, i wish Bi all the best in his career!
He's always been aiming for the sky. If not for that, he would not be where he is today. :-)

This is what I think about Rain in my head written down beautifully.

Oh the last line is wonderful. (though I love kalbi...)

It's going to be hard getting good reception. Though people are becoming more open to Asian culture (especially diverse areas and among the non holy crap borderline White surpremicist teens) like sushi/maki and kimchi, everyone makes fun of Engrish (heck, I do!). People are gonna laugh at Korean rap (my friend does which frustrates me, so I make fun of her back) or pop. I never really liked it when I tried listening the first time (I only really like ballads, soft voices and Epik High due to their lyrics). Anyway, people might be curious, buy it out of curiosity, but in general, his chances are going to be slim. Se7en sounds like he has a better chance. Too bad the timing is just never right.

Hello javabeans,

What an astute observation of the situation! I really enjoyed reading the article :-) and yeah, I do agree with what you are saying.

Most Americans can't even tell us Asians apart. "Malaysians? Don't you live on trees." *rolls eyes*

I like that part where you said: "...Because the America I live in is one that likes kalbi and thinks Korean women are exotically hot and asks what kind of Chinese I speak."

As for Rain's dreams to conquer the world: Ambition and hard work is one thing, but then there are other uncontrollable factors that come into play such as luck and opportunity. Not everyone can have their cake and eat it too, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

javabeans, loved the last line! it really is too bad that it's hard for asians to have a real breakthrough in the united states, not to mention the fact that they're (we're?) hard to cast. i hope it changes though!
ps for some reason your last line reminded me of a guy whose idea of a pick up line was telling me he tried dog when he went to korea.

I totally agree. Although I've never been much of a Rain fan, I still feel bad for the guy. There haven't been many successful Asian cross-over actors besides action movie stars from China.

And in America, being Asian usually automatically means you're "Chinese". Unless you live in the Bay Area at least, where people can actually differentiate between ethnicities.

What made me laugh the most is that whole bit about him having a dance-off with Justin Timberlake. Yeah, that'd earn him some attention, but is some 13-year old Laguna Beach-watching white girl going to want to see Rain dance around shirtless? I think not. Not to say white people, or any American for that matter, is racist - it's just that the Asian demographic in America is so used to American pop culture, dealing with something entirely new will be difficult.

Now that'd be a fun essay, not to mention time-consuming - comparing the pop cultures of ALL the Asian countries to American pop culture.

hey, awesome post :). I totally love your commentary. And I do agree with most of the things you said here. And I also like rain, and wish him ALL the success in the world, because its obvious-- painfully obvious-- how hardworking he is. But I just do not think this will work out for him, and yes, his engrish is a huge problem, but even if he did speak english well, I'd have some serious doubts. It still seems like being asain in itself gets you pigeonholed into certain roles. In fact, the ONLY asian woman who I've seen playing the role of an integrated american stripped of all asian stereotypes is Sandra Oh in Grey's Anantomy and Sideways. Otherwise most asian stars, even the big ones like Lucy Liu-- are either cast in a martial arts role or as the "foreinger-who-barely-speaks-english" or as "the mean japanese businessman" or as an "asian american trying to stradle two different cultures" or something along those lines. It is practically impossible to land roles that transcend your asian identity; asian people hardly ever land roles in the United States that doesn't in one way or another point you out as asian. Not that there's anything wrong with acting in roles that deal with asian issues (there is definitely a problem with acting in roles that uphold asian stereotypes), but when thats practically the only roles avaialable to asian actors...its clearly a huge roadblock. So, yeah, english aside, I doubt Rain would be able to acheive nearly the amount of success he wants. Ha, my own rant there. CLosing my mouth now.

Thanks for this post. An amusing entry. Loved it so much. It is all rounder, critical but in very objective way and most of all spice with witty rants. Did I ever say that I loved dramabeans, javabeans and all others beans so much:)

Indeed, as much as I like Bi for his acting tough all of it never did I finished it, yes he got some talent but I have to admit he can't speak English very well. Yet. I like the fact that you pointed out about his language barrier and comparison with se7en. It is a fair comparison and very precise to the real fact. I'm not a fan of both of them but in my opinon, se7en is fast learner in language and he can sing better than Bi even in English song. While he is winning in this aspect, Bi is winning in popularity and acting aspect that can be an advance in US market. But his most big constrain will be language. For an artist to be succes in US market has to at least speak English that is how US citizenship will judge the people. I didnt know much about history in US regarding Asian artists entering US market. I have once see Usher come to his performace and went to the stage and Bi gave him a jacket as a gift. Such a sweet man but he need a translator at that precious moment. If he can cater this language barrier well then he defintely got the wheel. The lucky wheel. Whatever it is good luck for Bi, but I hope se7en will making it too. Not a fan for both of them, but my money on se7en. Being ambitious and hardworking is good but has to be realistic too. Just wish both of them the best of luck.

Applause all around for Dramabeans.

You know, if Rain's English is good enough to read this entry of yours (without looking at the dictionary's every 5 minutes), I guess not all hope is lost. And you've got it all, this guy doesn't know there's limit.

The problem here is not Rain nor his ambitions. It is the fact that U.S. media still consider Asians (and by that I mean all Asians) as outsiders, and it is rare, if not impossible, to find Asian actors (especially men) in prime time shows or even as leads in movies.

HOWEVER, this obvious marginalization of East Asians (they are all martial artists, right?) is not overtly evident outside of the United States, and it makes sense that Rain/Bi (and more importantly his managers) do not understand the extent of this discrimination (and how can they? They don't watch U.S. tv, music, or movies consistently to get a larger picture of how Asians are categorically ignored). Even U.S. populations do not know the extent of the discrimination.

What is disturbing about Dramabean's rant is her ACCEPTANCE of this state of affairs. Mocking Rain for his lack of English, saying that THIS is the America we live in (where all East Asians are Chinese and all of the women work in nail salons, are prostitutes, or are just plain erotic fantasies) is to bow down and be exactly the subservient fools that have allowed Asian communities to be marginalized in the U.S.

There are other minorities in the United States who have broken through the glass ceiling, and to do that, one needs to dream BIG and one needs the support of its community. For example, while the Jewish population in the U.S. is only 4% and while the vast majority immigrated during the turn of century (around the same time as the large influxes of East Asians), they have managed to become one of the most power-wielding "minority" in the U.S. Why? The cohesion and sense of its community, granted the cohesion is surreal and almost cult-like.

And in contrast, we have Asian Americans (about 2.5% of the population) who have lived here for generations, and yet have displayed no significant presence in popular culture. Asians are routinely mocked and dehumanized on TV, to no major outcry (if that level of humiliation was targeted at Blacks or Latinos, you'd hear the protests, loud and clear).

Dramabean's commentary is akin to the roll-over-and-take-the-status-quo that is the problem here.

Rain's "debacle" is not a debacle of his making. It is the lack of communal cohesiveness, the individual movement that allows one to bring voices from the margins to the forefront.

Dramabeans rant drips of self-hatred, and her stance is that of a defeatist.

I commend Rain for dreaming BIG. If he doesn't break through the glass ceiling, well fine. Maybe he will push at it enough so that someone else in the future, someone with similarly big dreams will make a crack, until the ceiling finally comes crashing down.

What I do know is that some Asian chick in the U.S. mocking "Engrish" ain't gonna be making any cracks in the ceiling. So whatever.

Bravo sarahbeans bravo!~ (quoting from Bulhandang hahhaaha) this was an awesome post. Those facts are definitely real, true enough not everyone realizes that glass ceiling concept too. I agree with dee, that JYP couldve helped Rain with fluency issues and language wise. Also, like rocketfuel i dont think JYP really is that could of a manager I feel he has not all good intentions with a mix off tainted beliefs.
Nothing against Bi/Rain, I do some of his stuff and he was cute and all. But things is, American pop market is different and Bi/Rain's appeal to Koreans and Asian the whole sexy shirt of thing may work im not so sure elsewhere. Good luck to him though. But yeah reality hits, it hits hard.

I really think Se7en would work better in the US market, fluency, good looks, talented too. I love his songs, he dance and write music and YG people can definitely bring good stuff out. I hope he does persue his career there, and id love to see him do well. Maybe now isnt his time, but sure enough if it comes it would be good. But Im sure Se7en is the type who can be happy even with Asian success. I also hoped for Minwoo, cause i know that is his dream. He's talented not only singing wise but also writing/composing and choreography. That's a plus.

@ Dreamer: Well, i tend to agree in some points you stated here. Well to begin with i dislike prejudice, negative outlook and discrimination. It is totally unfair treatmeant for human being and we should treat human being all as the same. As sad as it be but it is the real world we have here. On the other hand, this post indeed not a negative insight yet to be practical in a way. But i loved your point that highlighted that if Rain can't break the ceiling he will crack it a bit and someone else in the future will crack it more bigger. He open the door. It is come from different persfective and point of view, while Sarah post is all about practicality on his career and realistic view of it, on the other hand your insight is a wise opinion of overwhole world issues. I like both.:)

Btw: Sarah, your english was extremely good. I always learn new vocabulary from your posts. Thanks a lot for that.

I'm actually a big fan of his. I love his dramas, his songs, his dance moves, and from the little glimpses I've seen about him, he seems to be a pretty decent guy. However, I cannot help but pity him over his excessive ambition to conquer US. It IS great to be hardworking and ambitious, but just as you said, he is reaching for something so high and he's already been bragging about it too, yet he is not equipped and prepared with all the things he needs to have, namely: English (as much as I hate to have English as some sort of standardization, up till now, and especially to go to US, it is a standard), good management, and well, English. If he's not so gung ho about popularity and actually cares about his artistry, he would've cultivated his acting and singing skills, instead of resorting to all means and ends just to get into Hollywood.

Having said that, Bi's drive to break into US market has to be applauded, tho. His strong determination is what made him the star he is today. And while I do think that some things are just out of reach, I actually believe that his efforts would be rewarded, if not with huge success, then at least he'd gain a small US fanbase, no?

ETA: I'd like to say a couple of things about the business of Asian stars getting into US. I understand how Hollywood is THE IT in entertainment industry all over the world. To be recognized in Hollywood is metaphorical Nobel for entertainers. Thumbs up for those Asian who could succeed in US. However, I actually respect Asian stars who stay true to their roots, instead of trying to impress other culture. Jackie Chan is probably the most popular Asian stars in Hollywood. Yet he's still reduced to playing clowns, without improving his acting skills at all. Like Bi, Se7en, and Minwoo; they are all great performers. I just hope that they would not have to sink so low just to get that Hollywood recognition (Particularly, Minwoo, who I'm most familiar out of the three and as I'm just blown away by his talents-the guy is just a bundle of talents-. He's amazing)