K-Pop’s Mega Music Sensation Rain (비) Visits Queensland
Korea’s mega music sensation, Rain (비), visits APT8 as part of his role as Queensland ambassador.
It’s a destination best known for its sunshine, but Brisbane and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane welcomed Rain with open arms today as one of K-Pop’s biggest stars checked out a contemporary exhibition from the Asia Pacific region as part of his visit to Queensland as its official ambassador.
Wrapping up his final days at a restaurant overlooking the Brisbane river, Jung Ji-hoon or Rain as he’s best known, said he had an incredible stay in Queensland and a great day at the 8th Asia Pacific Triennial (APT8), looking at works by more than 80 contemporary artists from the region.
“My time is Queensland was incredible including my visit to APT8 which showed beautiful art, including an installation from Korean artist Choi Jeong Hwa, from Korea.
The singer-songwriter, actor and music producer is to Korea and Asia what Justin Timberlake is to pop music in the United States.
Rain travelled to Queensland as the official tourism ambassador for Queensland to help launch QPop, a new tourism marketing campaign to entice more Korean and Asian travelers to visit the Great Barrier Reef state.
That includes ticking off a bucket list of high-energy adventures like climbing 323m above sea level to the top of Skypoint on the Gold Coast, sailing in the Pacific Ocean, visiting South Bank in Brisbane, and cuddling one of the state’s most loveable locals, Cinnamon the koala. As a well-known foodie, Rain also made time to hit Brisbane’s best restaurants and dine on the local seafood.
“I had an awesome time in Queensland including Brisbane, Gold Coast and Cairns. I want to come back to get to know this place more,” he said.
The 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT8) is the world’s largest exhibition of new art from Australia, Asia and the Pacific, with works by more than 80 artists reflecting the expanding creative diversity of the region.
This year the APT explores how the human form can express cultural, social and political ideas. Major commissions include a sprawling structural installation of reclaimed timber by India’s Asim Waqif and a mesmerising suspended sculpture by South Korea’s Haegue Yang. The 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art runs from 21 Nov 2015 until 10 Apr 2016,
Rain is a highly-respected singer and actor in the Korean entertainment industry, and is considered a worldwide star throughout Asia, Europe and North America. He has headlined several Korean television series, Korean and Chinese movies and featured in American films including Ninja Assassin (2009) for which he was the first Korean to win an MTV award. In 2011, he was crowned by Time 100 Poll Magazine Readers as the world’s most influential person.
Shows:
00:00 Rain meets ‘Cinnamon’ the Koala from Dreamworld on the Gold Caost, upon his arrival into Queensland
00:30 Rain arrives at Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) to visit the 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT8)
00:48 Rain meets Korean artist Chai Jeong Hwa.
01:03 Rain visits Choi Jeong Hwa’s installation called ‘The Mandala of Flowers’
01:22 shots of ‘The Mandala of Flowers’ with people enjoying the installation
01:59 Shots of an installation by another Korean artist Haegue Yang. The installation is called ‘Sol LeWitt Upside Down – Open Modular Cubes (Small), Expanded 943 Times’
02:20 Vision of other APT8 exhibits
02:48 Interview with Rain
Question is – Why are you here in Queensland?
Answer – ‘I personally like Queensland. I have heard there is a lot of different cultural experiences and a lot of food and wine to enjoy. There are a lot of things to do and enjoy. I came to QLD one year ago for Running Man. I enjoyed it a lot. This year, TEQ (Tourism and Events Queensland) and TA (Tourism Australia) invited me to come as Queensland Ambassador, this is an honour to come to Queensland for this opportunity’.
03:32 Question 2 – How would you describe Queensland?
Answer – ‘There is a lot of culture in Queensland it is very pretty with nature and the natural environment. I visited a number of places; the Park, Art Gallery, it was the perfect place to enjoy your holiday. I tried a lot of different food and I especially enjoyed the Eat Street Markets. I had a really good time at the Markets with my friends and eating nice food and meeting people. And as you can see with my backdrop, the City itself is quite pretty with the bridge and nice view.’
04:33 Question 3 – What did you think about the APT8
Answer 3 – ‘I was pleasantly surprised when I visited the Queensland Art Gallery, especially when I met the Korean Artist Mr Choi Jung Hwa. I was so proud of him as a
fellow Korean in that moment and I thank him for his hard work. I was delighted that I came across Korean art on display in a famous Queensland Brisbane Art Gallery.
05:18 Question 4 – Do you have any recommendations for your fans to do in Queensland
Answer 4 – ‘What I enjoyed the most, I liked the scenic views and the nature. I find this place very scenic with a pure environment.
I posted 2 times on my social channel, one is at Southbank park in Brisbane, and one in Cairns, where the sky meets the sea. I find in Queensland you can actually enjoy nature. You should try and relax and have a good time. You need to go to see the Koalas. When I came here for Running Man shooting I went to the Koala Park. It was so fun. I would like to make a recommendation that you do this. If you want to enjoy nature, learn more about natures. Queensland is the best place.’
06:26 Rain visits famous Eat Street Markets
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