South Korean singer and actor Rain has been cast in a Chinese film for the first time, his management agency said Tuesday.

Rain will play a talented young painter who falls in love with a woman in a melodrama directed by Gao Xixi, one of China’s most famous movie directors, Cube DC said.

Rain is one of the most popular male celebrities in South Korea and a well-known star in other Asian countries, and has appeared in several TV series and films, including two American action flicks: “Speed Racer” (2008) and “Ninja Assassin” (2009).

Liu Yifei, a popular Chinese actress, was cast as the female lead, it said, adding that the title of the new film has yet to be decided.

“If we say Rain has so far shown his masculine appeal playing mostly tough and heroic characters in Hollywood films ranging from ‘Ninja Assassin’ to ‘The Prince,’ his latest, this film will give him a chance to totally change his image in films,” the agency said.

The filming of the movie will begin in Shanghai in mid-March, it added. (Yonhap)