Singer Rain (RAIN, Jung Jihoon) expressed his feelings on being selected as the tribute artist for the 2026 Weverse Con Festival (Weverse Con Festival, hereafter WeConFe) and said he intends to newly reinterpret and present his legendary stages, long loved, with a 2026 sensibility.
Ahead of his appearance at WeConFe, which will be held on June 6 and 7 at KSPO DOME and the 88 Lawn in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Rain revealed the direction of this performance in a written interview with the organizers.
Now in its fourth year, the festival's core "Tribute Stage" is a symbolic stage that reexamines the musical worlds of artists who have had a profound impact on the history of Korean popular music. Past honorees have included the late Shin Hae-chul, Seo Taiji, Uhm Jung-hwa, Park Jin-Young, and BoA, and this year Rain takes up the baton to enrich the festival. The organizers said, "We noted that Rain set a new standard for K-pop solo artists and brought global attention to K-pop by becoming the first solo artist to successfully complete a world tour," explaining the reasons for his selection.
On this stage, Rain plans to show the timeless strength befitting a veteran marking his 27th debut anniversary. Rain expressed confidence, saying, "To the generations who have shared my musical world, I want to bring deep nostalgia, and to teenagers for whom that music is unfamiliar, I want to deliver a fresh shock like an 'old future.'" and "Because I believe in the power of good music that transcends eras, I am preparing a stage that all generations can enjoy together."
He pointed to his new song released on May 11, "FEEL IT (It's you)," as the message he especially wants to convey to the audience at this concert. The song simultaneously contains the meanings of "Fill it up," which fills life with enjoyment, and "Feel it," which urges fully sensing the feelings of the present moment, and Rain said he will passionately share the joy of enjoying music with the audience, as the new song intends.
He also expressed affectionate expectations for the tribute stages prepared by junior artists. Rain said, "I am happy that my music seems to continue to live and move through the next generation. Through a beautiful stage where K-pop's past and future coexist harmoniously, I hope the audience feels the message that 'music does not divide generations,'" and warmly encouraged the juniors, saying, "If the sincere joy of enjoying the song is conveyed, that alone will make for a great stage."
Finally, Rain described WeConFe as "a stage where various artists gather to reflect on themselves and gain new energy, and a precious opportunity for seniors and juniors to mingle without boundaries," noting in particular that "it is a differentiated festival where 'respect' for artists can be felt and the history of music is handled with care."
WeConFe operates the outdoor "Weverse Park" and the indoor "Weverse Con" simultaneously, with a total of 30 teams participating.
[Photo] WeConFe
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