Singer and actor Rain has been selected one of the 100 most influential people in the world by American magazine TIME.
Rain is the first Korean entertainer to make the annual list, announced on Sunday morning, local time.
The 23-year-old singer-actor was also voted online as the second most influential person next to Oscar-winner film director, Ang Lee, in the "Artists & Entertainers" section.
The magazine held online voting for three weeks in April via its website.
Thanks to his killer body and dynamic dance moves which exude masculine charm, Rain has ridden the hallyu crest, the Korean wave, and has been looking east to the United States, working hard on English.
He sold out two shows at Madison Square Garden in New York in February.
According to Rain's agency, JYP entertainment, the American magazine said people for the list were chosen mostly based on the opinions of TIME staff and a jury, with online results being only a minor element.
Consequently, at an official invitation, Rain will attend the "TIME 100" Party at New York's Lincoln Center, May 8. Also invited are others chosen for the list including Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola and DaimlerChrysler chief, Dieter Zetsche.
Rain will head to New York on May 7.
The singer is currently filming "Saibogujiman Kwenchana", ("I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK") in which he has the lead role. The film is by renowned director Park Chan-wook. It will be Rain's big-screen debut.
Other Koreans who have made the list include former Seoul National University professor and scientist Hwang Woo-suk, Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
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