Rain highly likely to star in remake film

Asian superstar Rain is highly likely to play the main character of film "Red Scarf," a remake of the Korean movie of the same name from 1964.

"The details have yet to be set but there is a very high possibility," an official with the film remarked regarding Rain's casting which would mark the singer and actor's second local big screen role.

His first movie role was in critically acclaimed director Park Chan-wook's "I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay" where he played the male lead opposite top Korean actress Lim Su-jeong.

The original "Red Scarf" production, by late director Shin Sang-ok, is about how an Air Force pilot becomes a true soldier.

The remake will tell of the life and comradeship of various soldiers and be produced jointly by Jang Tae-gon, producer of the original movie, and CJ Entertainment.

Rain, 28, has received a notice to enlist in the military on September 28 this year -- all Korean men are required to fulfill the country's two-year mandatory military duties. But he is expected to be able to defer the date since he is also studying for a master's degree.

Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, is one of Asia's most popular entertainers who has achieved a phenomenal level of success in both singing and acting.

He went from being a promising trainee to a mega-popular singer and actor in just ten years, releasing six studio albums and starring in several hit television dramas.

In 2008, he went to Hollywood and made his international debut with a supporting role in the Wachowski Brothers' pic "Speed Racer," followed by a lead role in martial arts film "Ninja Assassin."

Jessica Kim jesskim@