Hallyu star Rain has gained new wings _ those of Korean Air.
The top Korean pop star and the top Korean carrier have set up a joint promotion.
Korean Air and Star M Entertainment, the production company for Rain's world tour "Rain's Coming", signed a contract for the joint promotion Monday at the Hyatt Regency Incheon Hotel. Kim Young-ho, president of Korean Air's passenger division; Heather Cho, managing vice president of in-flight service and catering; Lee In-gwang, CEO of Star M; and Rain participated in the signing ceremony.
The world tour, which began with a concert in Las Vegas last month, will run through the end of May and include a total of 35 concerts in 17 cities in 12 countries. It is the largest overseas performance tour for a Korean singer, with 800,000 spectators expected.
The carrier will provide complimentary tickets to Rain and some 80 of his performance staff and transport his stage equipment for free to concert venues.
"Through the cooperation, we'll play the role of messenger of hallyu by supporting Korea's high-quality performance goods", Kim said.
"Rain topped the Korean entertainment market, and he is now advancing into the world. His performance will give a long-awaited rain to overseas fans. We'll present a new type of star marketing by combining Rain's star power and Korean Air's global network", he said.
During the signing ceremony, a model of a Korean Air plane wrapped with Rain's image and the tour slogan, "Rain's Coming", was displayed. The 295-seat A330-300 aircraft took its first flight on Wednesday to Hong Kong for Rain's concert there.
The carrier's overseas branches will take part in the promotion by distributing performance leaflets and selling concert tickets. Rain's concerts will also be included in Korean Air's in-flight entertainment programs. Korean Air's affiliate Hanjin Travel Service sells Rain's world tour package to Korean fans.
Kim of Korean Air said the marketing expenses cost around 1.8 billion won, including 300 million won for the wrapping of the plane.
Of the 12 countries where Rain's concerts are to be held, Korean Air services China the most. He will perform in four cities in China, the largest number in a single country.
Korean Air has tried to make China its second home market as part of its vision to become a leading global airline. It opened seven routes to China last year and singed a contract with China's Sinotrans Air Transportation Development to set up a joint cargo venture in China. It plans to open five more routes this year.
"Through Rain, we expect Korean Air to have a young and dynamic image and to expand our position as a leading carrier in China", Kim said.
"It will give momentum to Korean pop culture to advance into the world. I'll give a distinguished performance that will be understood and accepted all around the world, and I'll put all my effort and talent into it", Rain said.
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