K-pop icon Rain makes comeback with new album

South Korean singer Rain, known as the "King of K-Pop", on Thursday released his first album for four years as part of a long-awaited comeback after mandatory military service.  

 

Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-Hoon, released online his sixth album entitled "Rain Effect" as well as music videos for its double title numbers "30sexy" and "La Song".

 

The album is his first since he finished 21 months of military service -- mandatory for all able-bodied South Korean men -- in July last year.

 

The 31-year-old composed the songs and wrote the lyrics.

 

A video for "30 Sexy", posted on YouTube on Thursday, features Rain wearing high-waisted suits and high-heeled shoes performing to a melody led by a  synthesiser and backed by a simple hip hop drumbeat. 

 

"In the past, I used to present scenes of clothes being torn off and my torso exposed. I decided to come up with something different this time," he said.

 

A video for "La Song" shows Rain with newly permed hair performing with other dancers to a Latin melody mixed with hip hop, electronic music and rock. 

 

"I made this song which football fans can sing along to cheer their favourite teams during the (Brazil) World Cup", Rain said.

 

Rain commands a huge following not only in South Korea but across much of Asia and beyond. 

 

He also starred in several South Korean soap operas and Hollywood action pictures including "Ninja Assassin" and "Speed Racer" by the Wachowski Brothers.

 

He will be making a screen comeback when he stars alongside Jason Patric, John Cusack and Bruce Willis in the action movie "The Prince."

 

But his popularity at home was hit last year when he was accused of flouting military regulations -- a highly sensitive topic in a country still technically at war with North Korea. 

 

In January 2013 he was confined to barracks for a week after he sneaked out to meet his girlfriend, a top actress. 

 

Rain was also questioned by the military, prosecutors and  police over his unusually long leave periods and alleged breaches of service regulations.