SOUTH Korean pop sensation Rain is out of the military.

Under cloudy skies Wednesday, Rain fired off a crisp salute and thanked a large crowd of mostly media and women who'd gathered to commemorate his discharge after 21 months of mandatory service.

The fans held signs reading in Korean and English: "We waited for you" and "Rain's coming." One Japanese fan said she'd been waiting for more than a day to see the "entertainment soldier."

The 31-year-old served in an army unit that provides TV and radio programming that promotes the military.

He hasn't said what his future plans are.

South Korea requires all able-bodied men serve about two to three years in the military, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War.