Cover Rain at the Peak (Photo: Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

The K-pop star talks about his return to the city and new year resolutions, and looks back on his accomplishments in 2022

South Korean OG K-pop idol and heartthrob Jung Ji-hoon, who goes by his stage name Rain, is in Hong Kong this month as a guest of the Hong Kong Tourism Board for WinterFest, the Christmas and New Year programme running from November 2022 to January 2023 at West Kowloon’s promenade. The area has been turned into a Christmas town that features a giant Christmas tree, festive lights, countdown celebration activities and shopping experiences.

In an exclusive interview with Tatler just three days before Christmas, Rain, who visited Hong Kong in 2007 and 2015 for his concerts, said that he was thrilled to try dim sum again. This time, he also took the Peak Tram and got to see the skyline of Victoria Harbour. “Hong Kong is a food paradise and a beautiful city. I like visiting different places here, and I would love to hike if I have the chance,” he said.

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Tatler Asia
Above Rain on the Peak Tram (Photo: Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

Rain, who used to be a champion wrestler as a teen before he pursued a music career, maintains a rigorous workout routine of weightlifting at the gym. “But simply walking or hiking can do miracles too,” he said.

Apart from visiting Hong Kong’s best loved sites, the megastar also wants to get to know more about the city’s street culture—a dream that had to take a back seat during his past visits to Hong Kong. “I’m still working on that. I will have no regrets if I can get to walk around town to learn more about the street culture of this place,” he said.

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Tatler Asia
Above Rain enjoying dim sum (Photo: Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

Rain has been focusing on rest this year. Well, mostly. He did guest produce several albums, which aren’t released publicly, and starred in South Korean fantasy television series Ghost Doctor. He also has two television dramas and one album in the pipeline for next year.

Other plans for 2023? “I have tried different stage formats for people to enjoy my dance and stage experiences. Coming up, if I’m doing a concert again, I want to have more conversations [with my team] on the concept for Hong Kong audiences.”

Maybe rest will come after that.

Tatler Asia
Above Rain at the Hong Kong Tourism Board's WinterFest ceremony (Photo: Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

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