K-Pop star Rain to boost Queensland’s tourism numbers

QUEENSLAND’S government has roped in one of South Korea’s biggest pop icons for a very important campaign.

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 24: Actor and recording artist Rain of South Korea performs at The Colosseum in support of the album ''Rainism'' at Caesars Palace on December 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

K-POP sensation Rain has been called in by the Queensland government to help entice South Koreans to visit the Sunshine State.

The South Korean actor, singer-songwriter and music producer will star in a new Queensland tourism marketing campaign showcasing the state’s best assets.

The campaign seeks to get South Koreans visiting attractions such as Cairns and Great Barrier Reef, as well as enjoying surfing and water sports on the Gold Coast, the outdoor night-life in Brisbane, and the state’s array of food and wine.

Tourism and Events Queensland will also work in partnership with Korean Air and other in-partners to promote flight and holiday packages to Queensland, starting from early next month.

Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, is considered one of South Korea’s biggest pop stars both at home and internationally.

Rain performing in Las Vegas to promote his album Rainism in 2009. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

He was mentioned in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World in 2006 and his acting credits in South Korea and the US include Sang Doo! Let’s Go To School, Speed Racer, Ninja Assassin and I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK, which was awarded the Alfred Bauer Prize at the Berlin Film Festival in 2006.

The 33-year-old has released six studio albums and runs his own entertainment company, J Tune Entertainment.

But he ran into controversy in 2013 when, during a mandatory two-year stint in the military, photos emerged of him on dates with his girlfriend, TV star Kim Tae-Hee, contravening strict military rules.

He was confined to his barracks for “seven days of repentance” for the indiscretion.

The announcement of the Q-Pop initiative, which seeks to harness K-Pop’s huge popularity in South Korea and across Asia, will coincide with a tourism trade mission to South Korea that will mark 20 years since Queensland first established a tourism presence in the country.

South Korea is considered an important market for Queensland, with 53,000 Koreans visiting the state in the 12 months to June — a four per cent year-on-year increase — and spending about $147 million while they’re here.

“This is why we’ve had a presence in market over the past two decades — to work closely with trade partners each year, market Queensland holidays and encourage inbound travel by Koreans,” tourism and major events minister Kate Jones said.

South Korean tourists are an important market for Queensland.

The trade mission has allowed Queensland tourism operators to meet with about 200 travel trade representatives in order to establish relationships and further business opportunities, Ms Jones said.

“Tourism operators from the Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Brisbane and Tropical North Queensland were represented on the mission, including wildlife parks, tour operators, island resorts and theme parks.”

TEQ hosted 22 Korean travel agents on a visit to Brisbane and the Gold Coast this month to experience local tourism products first-hand and strengthen their ability to sell the destination.