Time Online Poll / The Colbert Report: Why is Rain on the list?

Question

Just wondering how the Korean popstar is influential, landing a #2 spot on the list? I know nothing about him, so input from you guys would be great!

Answer 1

Rain is a very popular pop star all over Asia especially with teenage girls. He can sing just as well as the average idol.

What is the Colbert Report?

Answer 2

I had never heard of him until Colbert brought it up.

I don't get it either.  He has no musical talent whatsoever.

Actually, I can't see any pop star from any country being influential, they hardly write any of their own music and are passing fads.

Answer 3

First of all, I am a big fan of Stephen Colbert, and I love the Colbert Report. He is such a talented comedian/satirist/actor/writer, and to me he surpasses Jon Stewart's level of hilarity. I can see why he is influential, since he has definitely influenced me in a personal way. Anyway, back to the question. I think to measure a person's influence, one must look at the definition of the word "influence"

Definition of Influence from http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&clien...

1) a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc; "used her parents' influence to get the job"

2) causing something without any direct or apparent effort

3) have and exert influence or effect; "The artist's work influenced the young painter"; "She worked on her friends to support the political candidate"

4) a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do; "her wishes had a great influence on his thinking"

5) determine: shape or influence; give direction to; "experience often determines ability"; "mold public opinion"

6) the effect of one thing (or person) on another; "the influence of mechanical action"

7) one having power to influence another; "she was the most important influence in my life"; "he was a bad influence on the children"

8) charm: induce into action by using one's charm; "She charmed him into giving her all his money"

Does Rain's level of influence fit the definition? In Asia, yes. For the rest of the world? Not really, unless they are Asians oversea, and I mean the kind that just moved to a foreign country in recent years, who has been keeping track of Asian pop music culture. However, the overwhelming amount of Asians on the planet is a huge portion of the world population,  and given the amount of Internet access most Asian countries possess, it does not surprise me a pop music artist that has hit big in Asia can get so much support and end up high on Time's list.

Other than that, Rain is just as talented of Stephen Colbert, if not more. Already a singer, actor, model, and dancer, Rain could probably do satire if he really wanted to, though I think Stephen would steamroll him if they were to square off in political satire, just like how he steamrolled Stephen when they had a dance off on the Colbert Report not too long ago.

You can read more about Rain at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_(enter...