Renowned actor and singer Rain, also known as Jung Ji-hoon, was appointed the first global goodwill ambassador for Seoul City, Tuesday.Rain was featured in "Hip Korea, Seoul Vibes", a documentary co-produced by Seoul City and Discovery Channel promoting the city and its pop culture. The 45-minute program aired in Asia and Australia earlier this year, showing the young and dynamic aspects of Seoul with Rain motorcycling through the Hongik University area, Cheongdam-dong and along Cheonggye Stream.
After shooting the documentary, Seoul City asked Jung to become its global goodwill ambassador, to better publicize the city as a part of its overseas promotion.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon thanked Rain for his role in publicizing the city and asked Jung to promote the capital's vibrant charms at the appointment ceremony.
"I am glad to join promoting Seoul as a native Seoulite", Rain said.
Jung donated T-shirts he designed himself bearing the slogan for the city this year, "Infinitely Yours, Seoul". The shirts will be auctioned and the proceeds will go to charity.
The city also plans to hold associated promotions at his Asia concert tour stops, such as distributing souvenirs and establishing a promotion booth.
Moreover, Rain will again appear on a documentary of Seoul that will be broadcast on CNN later this year.
The global goodwill ambassadors will appear in the capital's promotions and publicize the city during their work abroad ― different from previous goodwill ambassadors.
After making his debut in 2002, the 26-year-old singer gained popularity both inside and outside the nation and also starred in several hit dramas including "Full House" (2004).
He also appeared in Hollywood movie "Speed Racer" last year ― another movie, "Ninja Assassin", produced by the Wachowski brothers will be released this year.
Victory, Dae-sung to Star in Musical
Big Bang members Victory and Dae-sung are set to take to the stage in a musical, ``Shouting'' based on the trials and tribulations of their own group this summer.
The show is the first joint production created by YG Entertainment, a local pop mogul, and Seol & Company, one of the country's major musical production companies.
They are teaming up to take musicals from its traditional audience of 20- and 30-somethings to the teenage market by using a star cast.
The musical portrays the dreams and efforts of young wannabes who shot to stardom after first being stage staff in a broadcasting company. It is based on and named after the band's best-selling autobiographical book, ``Shouting to the World.''
Previously, Dae-sung performed as the sexy rebel cat Rum Tum Tugger in the musical, ``Cats,'' while Victory appeared as a pure country boy in the musical ``Sonagi (Rain Shower).'' This time, the stars take on the title roles to lead the show.
``I had no dialogue in `Cats' because I was a cat. So I am very nervous and worried about my acting with the dialogue this time. But the character reflects reality, so I am trying to mix my real character and with drama as the musical is based on real stories of our own to some degree,'' Dae-sung said during a recent press conference.
Victory added, ``In the previous musical, I played a pure and innocent boy. But in this musical, I am trying to reflect my real personality and way of talking to the character."
The musical combines Korean hit songs, including some of those belonging to Big Bang, along with new songs. The singers will collaborate with veteran actress Hong Ji-min who plays Effie in the ongoing blockbuster musical ``Dreamgirls'' and actor Joo Won-sung.
