South Korean heartthrob Rain has joined the William Morris Agency, the world's largest talent agency and the creator of such legends as Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe.

The 25-year-old Korean singer, actor and hip-hop dancer announced his new agent at a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday.

Pan-Asia phenomenon Rain is constantly referred to as Asia's Justin Timberlake. He hinted at taking the opportunity with WMA to break into the Western world.

A WMA representative said at the press conference that Rain is likely to star in a Hollywood ninja movie soon.

Rain's latest Hollywood effort is in the Wachowski Brothers' racing film, "Speed Racer," which is slated to open in May.

He also toured the United States in June last year, but his shows were postponed due to a lawsuit involving a U.S. band with the same name.

The star, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, told the press on Wednesday that though his father expects him to proudly carry the name of the Jung family, he is partial to his stage name.
 
(CRI February 14, 2008)