Court rules in favor of Rain over cancelled U.S. concerts

A South Korean court has ruled that singer and actor Rain is not responsible for the cancellation of concerts in the U.S. leg of his world tour between 2006 and 2007.

Local concert promoter Star M had filed a lawsuit against Rain and his then-agency JYP Entertainment last March, claiming 4.57 billion won, or nearly four million dollars, in compensation for losses and damages they allegedly suffered from 16 cancelled shows.

The Seoul Central District Court said in its ruling Thursday that the concert was cancelled due to lack of preparations on part of the promoter and the issues it had with U.S.-based promoting firm Revolution Entertainment.

The court also stated that JYP's contract with Chinese talenthouse DR Music had not interfered with Rain's shows planned for China since it had ended before JYP signed with Star M.

In its suit filed against the Asian superstar, Star M had argued Rain's concerts in China could not take place as scheduled due to JYP's failure to settle its relationship with DR, which at the time being managed Rain's music career in China.

The company had also claimed they had purchased the exclusive rights to host the tour but Rain abruptly cancelled more than half of a total 35 shows due to a copyright problem over the singer's stage name. Star M said the problem arose soon after they signed the contract but they had not been notified of the issue beforehand.

Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, had been unable to perform with his stage name in America because of a copyright challenge from a Beatles tribute band named ``Rain.''

Rain's current talenthouse J.Tune Entertainment and JYP welcomed the court's ruling, declaring through a press release that it would take strong legal action against Star M including demanding compensation for the damages it has incurred on both agencies.

The ruling comes over half a year since Rain settled another lawsuit over his troubled U.S. tour.

The Hawaiian Court had ruled in March last year that the Asian superstar pay eight million dollars for failing to perform at a concert in Honolulu in 2007, the first stop of the tour. An agreement was reached in June, although details were not disclosed.

Rain, 27, has been one of the most successful celebrities in the entertainment industry since his debut in 2002.

His singing career has gained him massive popularity throughout Asia and he also appeared in several movies and TV series. He recently starred in Wachowski Brothers production "Ninja Assassin", which opened in theaters in late November.

Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr