K-Pop Icon RAIN Teases New Music and His First Solo U.S. Shows in Almost 15 Years
The K-pop industry simply wouldn't be what it is today without the influence of singer-songwriter, actor, dancer and producer The RAIN, which is why we consider his upcoming STILL RAINING tour to be one of the biggest musical events of the year.
The legend is making some big moves in 2023 as he's hard at work on his upcoming album and his new K-drama, Red Swan, is set to premiere on Disney+ by the end of the year, but we're most excited about his upcoming live shows. He's about to embark on his first global tour in nearly seven years and his first concerts in the U.S. in almost 15 with two massive solo concerts in November. They'll be taking place in Atlantic City, New Jersey and Las Vegas, Nevada, showcasing a mix of classic favorites and never-before-heard tracks. Tickets are available now HERE, and you can keep reading for our exclusive interview with The RAIN himself on his new music, the tour and what else he has in store for us in the near future.
Sweety High: What does the tour name STILL RAINING mean to you?
RAIN: I was inspired by my song, "It's Raining," and my stage name, "The Rain." It's been a while since I went on tour and met my fans from all over the world. I want to remind my fans that I am still here and passionate about providing the best show possible. Also, I wanted to express that I will still be here for them no matter what, just as they have always been there for me.
SH: Is there anything special we can expect from your upcoming solo concerts in the U.S.?
RAIN: I am not sure if I am allowed to say this, but to give you a sneak peek—I'm planning to perform songs from other artists to have fun with the audience. And I haven't had any guests on my concert tours before. However, this time, I have decided to invite a mystery guest through the screen virtually. It will surely be a show that you would not want to miss.
(Photo credit: RAIN COMPANY)
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SH: How does it feel to return to your first global tour in seven years and your first show in America in nearly 15 years?
RAIN: I am excited to announce the start of my worldwide tour despite the short schedule for my visit to the States this time. I plan to take my time and visit various cities around the world, one by one, and I'm glad I could start my journey in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
It has been 15 years since I presented my solo show, but actually, I had the opportunity to visit L.A. this year for KCON in August. To my delight, the audience sang along to my song even after all this time. Realizing that my fans are still there for me gave me a lot of strength in preparing for this tour.
Moreover, back in 2009, my movie Ninja Assassin was promoted on massive billboards in Times Square. Nowadays, advertisements in Times Square are displayed on LED screens. Seeing my video ads in the same spot as my billboards felt somewhat new to me.
SH: Which songs are you most looking forward to performing on this tour?
RAIN: I'm absolutely thrilled to let you know that we're going to be adding some amazing new songs from other talented artists to our setlist. And, of course, I've seen the comments from my beloved fans (who I lovingly refer to as "cloud"). We'll be including some all-time favorites from those comments.
Oh, and here's a little secret—I'll be giving you sneak peeks of these songs on my social media. So, make sure to follow me on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok to stay tuned for all the exciting updates.
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SH: Can you tease anything about new music?
RAIN: My new music is being worked on. I might even release a dynamic dance track or groovy tunes that you won't be able to resist singing along with, so please keep an eye on my social media for more updates.
SH: Anything else exciting coming up?
RAIN: We plan on exciting collaborations with wonderful artists and top-tier dance crews, and we will announce them once they are finalized, which is getting very close. Keep an eye out for updates on my social media to be the first to find out.
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SH: Is there anything else we should know?
RAIN: I believe that STILL RAINING will serve as a bridge, connecting my future performances with the ones I have done over the past 20 years. It holds the potential to be a nostalgic throwback for those of my generation and an exciting new experience for the younger audience of Gen Z.
As a reminder, you can catch me on the new Disney+ series Red Swan, and I hope to meet you on other projects in the future. I am working tirelessly to prepare for the upcoming STILL RAINING tour and I urge you to stay tuned for more updates!
For more on our favorite stories in K-pop, click HERE to read our interview with cignature on Us in the Summer.