[Fanday Monday] Cloud Philippines vows to shower love on Rain
The Philippine K-Pop community is a vibrant group of people, young and young-at-heart, who express their passion for Korean music, drama, food, pop culture, and all things K-Pop.
To recognize and celebrate this energetic subculture of fan clubs, talents, and personalities, Yahoo! Philippines OMG!, through its "OK POP" blog presents "Fanday Mondays". The goal of this series is to increase awareness and foster camaraderie among local K-Pop fan clubs and K-Pop fanatics.
Today's feature is on Cloud Philippines, the official local fan club of Korean superstar Rain. With Rain scheduled to start his military service tomorrow, today is a good time to learn about his committed clouds.
Fan Club Name: Cloud Philippines
Website: http://www.cloudphilippines.com
Related K-Pop Star(s): Rain (비), Park Jin Young (aka. JYP), MBLAQ
Date Established: September 15, 2006
Date of Artist Debut: April 24, 2002
Historic Beginnings
Cloud Philippines have quite a story for its historical beginning. In September 2006, Rain's agency JYP Entertainment announced that they are opening Rain's official fan club, "The Cloud," to overseas fans. Rain's official fan club is called "The Cloud" because "there is no Rain if there are no Clouds." Quite appropriate, eh?!
Rain's management asked each country to nominate a representative fan club and since Rain had no organized fan club in the Philippines, local fans who met through other fansites decided to form Cloud Philippines. Before submitting their profile to "The Cloud" Korea, the pioneers built the website, created a forum, and invited members within three days. This is how the first ever officially recognized Filipino fan club of a Korean artist started. From the initial fifteen pioneer members, Cloud Philippines quickly ballooned to about 150 by the time they held their first fan gathering. Today, Cloud Philippines has more than 200 paying members and 1700+ likes on Facebook.
Clouds' Unwavering Support to Rain
Cloud Philippines have shown unwavering support to Rain during the ups and downs of his career. One of the most significant expressions of support Cloud Philippines did was when they participated in a project called "We Believe In Rain." The project was a consolidated effort by worldwide Rain fans during a low point in his career. This occurred when the star was caught in the middle of a legal battle in relation to his cancelled world tour. Along with other Clouds, Cloud Philippines prepared a video to support Rain.
Cloud Philippines also exerted efforts to ensure the success of Rain's brief Manila visit last September 2010 to film scenes for his controversial drama "Fugitive Plan B" as well as his musical showcase "Intensity: Live in Manila." Due to their unwavering support partnered with sleepless nights, Cloud Philippines was even featured on ABS-CBN's "Rated K" show hosted by Ms. Korina Sanchez Roxas.
Cloud Philippines not only supports Rain but also his fans. In fact, Cloud Philippines has been instrumental in making numerous "Rain dreams" come true.
During Rain's "Intensity: Live in Manila" showcase, Cloud Philippines worked tirelessly to assist international fans in securing tickets, accommodations, and transportation in order to ensure a memorable "Rain in Manila" experience. Cloud Philippines also help local fans become official members of "The Cloud" by helping them through the registration process. Finally, Cloud Philippines show their support for Rain by ensuring that Cloud Philippines is represented in almost all of Rain's activities. In fact, they assisted CloudPH members who went to Korea to catch Rain's "The Best Show" concert before military enlistment.
Click here to see photos from Rain's "The Best Show"
Clouds' Vow to Support Rain
Rain is scheduled to start his two-year mandatory military service on October 11. Being the responsible star that he is, Rain prepared his fans for this eventuality more than a year before his enlistment. While his fans understand the reason for his leave, they vow to continue supporting Rain even while he is away.
A CloudPH representative expressed that "What we can do for now is to keep our Facebook and Twitter accounts active by posting whatever updates we can find about Rain while he's at the military." The group also vows to continue supporting Rain by looking forward to the local release of his projects including the local run of his drama "Fugitive: Plan B" as well as his movie "Flight: Close to the Sun".
As a message to Rain, Cloud Philippines also shared three wishes they have for him as he serves his country. First, they wish that he be safe and blessed with good health and wisdom as he serves his country. Second, that his current status as a world star will remain once he returns, and third, that his goal to marry and have a daughter be fulfilled soon afterward.
Indeed, Rain is the quintessential Korean Hallyu Star, and he will be greatly missed. However, with fans like Cloud Philippines who vow to continue making his name known, there is no doubt that Rain will not be forgotten even while his is away.
Insert Cloud Philippines Fan Club Highlights Video
Catherine Deen blogs for Yahoo! Philippines OMG! She lives, eats and breathes Korean music, cuisine, telenovelas, and pop culture. Follow her on Twitter @cathsdeen.
