Rain Apology: Singer’s Concert Call-Out & Hearing Loss Revelation

TAIPEI, January 19, 2024 – K-pop star Rain is facing renewed scrutiny after asking a fan at his Taipei Arena concert on Saturday why she wasn’t dancing, unaware she has a hearing impairment. The incident, which quickly circulated online, sparked a public apology from the 43-year-old performer and a debate about performer accountability.

A Concert Moment Turns Awkward

the exchange highlights the challenges of engaging large crowds and the importance of inclusivity at live events.

• Rain previously called out fans for a lack of energy at a New Year’s Eve performance in Singapore.
• The fan in Taipei, identified as @annsimmi on Threads, explained she didn’t respond as of her hearing impairment.
• Rain issued a public apology, stating he was unaware of her disability.
• The incident has divided fans, with some praising his apology and others questioning its sincerity.

During the concert at Taipei Arena, Rain noticed a woman filming him with her phone rather of participating in the energetic choreography he was encouraging. Pointing her out too the audience, he directly asked, “Why aren’t you dancing?” Videos of the moment show the fan smiling and continuing to film, but she did not verbally respond.

Rain appeared visibly uncomfortable as the moment lingered, eventually covering his face and continuing the performance.The incident quickly gained traction online, prompting the fan, @annsimmi, to share her side of the story on Threads on January 19. She explained she has a hearing impairment and hadn’t understood Rain or the interpreter. She also expressed concern about being perceived as disrespectful or uninterested.

Why did this happen? The incident occurred as Rain singled out a fan for not participating in the concert’s choreography without knowing she had a hearing impairment. He assumed a lack of engagement was intentional, leading to the awkward exchange.

Did you know? – Interpreters are often present at K-pop concerts to translate lyrics and stage banter, but may not always be visible or accessible to all fans.

Who was involved? The primary individuals involved were Rain, the K-pop performer, and @annsimmi, the fan with a hearing impairment. The incident also involved the concert audience and sparked a wider discussion among Rain’s fans online.

What was the immediate fallout? Rain responded the following day with a personal apology to @annsimmi, which he shared publicly.He stated he was unaware of her disability and acknowledged he hadn’t been considerate.He also wished her a happy birthday, as it was her special day, and thanked her for attending the concert, adding that the experience had become a meaningful memory for him despite the awkwardness.

Pro tip – Performers can proactively encourage inclusivity by acknowledging diverse audience needs and avoiding singling out individuals.

Rain also reflected on the incident, stating it served as a reminder to be more thoughtful and attentive during his performances. while many fans online praised Rain’s humility and accountability, others remained skeptical. “Whether she has a disability or not, is Rain going to start lecturing at all his shows?” one commenter wrote. Another fan,claiming to have attended Rain’s Singapore concert,added,”Sure,reflection is good. Pity we didn’t get any positive vibes when you called us out in Singapore.”

Quick fact: This isn’t the first time Rain has publicly addressed fan energy at his concerts. He previously called out attendees at his Singland Festival performance at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on New Year’s Eve for their perceived lack of enthusiasm.

How did it end? The situation concluded with Rain issuing a public apology to the fan,@annsimmi,and expressing remorse