This study investigated the differences between annual maximum series and annual maximum independent rainfall event series with relatively short and long rainfall durations. Annual maximum independent rainfall events were selected by applying various IETDs and thresholds to the hourly rainfall data in Seoul for the duration from 1961 to 2010. Annual maximum independent rainfall event series decided were then compared with the conventional annual maximum series. Summarizing the results is as follows. First, the effect of IETD and threshold was not beyond the expected level. For example, as the IETD increases, the frequencies of independent rainfall events decreased similarly in their rate for both with short and long durations. However, as the threshold increases, the frequency of those with rather long durations decreased much higher. Second, The mean rainfall intensity of the independent rainfall events was found to remain constant regardless of their duration. This indicates that the annual maximum rainfall intensity could be found in a rainfall event with longer durations. Lastly, the difference between the annual maximum rainfall series and the annual maximum independent rainfall event series with rather short rainfall durations was found significantly large, which decreases with longer durations. This result indicates that the conventional data analysis method, especially for small basins with short concentration time, could lead an unrealistic design rainfall with little possibility of occurrence.