Rain |
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The entertainment industry is abuzz over ``dance machine'' Rain's hot track ``Rainism,'' which has recently been banned from sale to teenagers over its lewd lyrics. The singer agreed to change a few phrases for his underage fans at concerts but expressed regret over the government's decision on the already chart-topping record.
The Youth Protection Committee of the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said Monday that the lyrics of ``Rainism'' are lewd and harmful to teenagers. The record will be sold with a red sticker and will be banned from sales to those under 19 years old, according to the committee.
The parts that the agency did not like were ``Spinning is my magic stick inside your shaking body/ The body shake that feels the limit it cannot go beyond,'' in which the writer, the singer himself, is allegedly describing sexual intercourse between a man and a woman.
In fact, the lyrics have long been subject to debate for their sexual explicitness since the song's debut on Oct. 15.
However, Rain and his agency, Jtune Entertainment, explained such wording is quite common in Western pop songs and Korean fans are mature enough not to be affected by them. The song passed three major broadcasters' screenings and swept domestic pop charts.
Jtune said Tuesday that Rain would change the criticized parts for performances but leave them on the album. ``He will rewrite several phrases because he obeys the law. However, the committee's idea of sex appeal is totally different from that of Rain's. Is there a clear criterion to assert lewdness?'' it asked in a press release.
Fans criticized the government's decision. ``The love scenes or violent scenes we see through TV dramas, movies, Internet and books are much more serious ― the government should fix those first. Anyway, who cares about the lyrics when you see Rain dancing?'' a fan ID:tkfkdgo1 said on www.daum.net.
Some Internet users allege that the government is helping boost sales with the announcement. ``Now everyone will try to listen to Rain's song to see what's so lewd about it. The government is actually a secret supporter of the singer,'' ID:Jackie said.
However, some defended the decision, saying K-pop needs to watch its wording. ``I hope this will influence some other singers who talk about all lousy things ― teenage singers talking about mating and showing off their legs or breasts seems too much,'' ID: sincerely said.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
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