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After School (group)

After School promoting VIRGIN (2011) Left to Right: Lizzy, Raina, Nana, Lee Young, Bekah (standing), Jung Ah (seated), Jooyeon, UEE, Kahi

After School (애프터스쿨) (known as AFTERSCHOOL in Japan) is a Korean pop girl group, formed by Pledis Entertainment. They were originally a five member group modeled after the Pussycat Dolls, however in February 2009 Pledis announced After School would become the South Korean Morning Musume and added UEE to the group in April 2009. With their new 6th member, After School released 3 digital singles, but on October 29, 2009 Soo Young left the group. Pledis announced in November 2009 they would be adding a new member that was a trainee with the company. However, on November 17, 2009, 2 new members were revealed; Raina and Nana. On March 17, 2010, before their comeback after the release of their second single, an eighth member was revealed, Lizzy, and on December 31 an ninth member was introduced on After School's MBC Gayo Daejun performance, Lee Young.

In February 2011, the group signed with avex, and debuted in Japan participating on Amuro Namie's collaboration album Checkmate!.

Members

  • Kahi (Leader, Vocalist, Rapper, Lead Dancer & Co-Choreographer)
  • Bekah (Main Rapper, Vocals)
  • Jung Ah (Main Vocals) (known as Jungah (ジョンア) in Japan)
  • Jooyeon (Vocals) (known as Juyeon (ジュヨン) in Japan)
  • UEE (Vocals, Main Dancer) (known as U-ie (ユイ) in Japan)
  • Raina (Lead Vocals)
  • Nana (Vocals)
  • Lizzy (Vocals)
  • Lee Young (known as Yi Young (イヨン) in Japan)

Former Member

Sub Units

Information

Debut

After School promoting "New Schoolgirl" (2009)

After School trained for two years and was unveiled in December 2008 at the SBS Gayo Daejeon where they performed the song "Play Girlz", which was later included on their debut single, with Son Dam Bi. Son Dam Bi was speculated to have joined the group, however it was later confirmed that Dam Bi would not be a part of After School.

Initially a 5 member girl group modeled after the Pussycat Dolls, After School officially debuted at Music Core on January 17, 2009 with the performances of "AH!" and "Play Girlz". Their debut sparked controversy due to their sexy image, and they received a call from Music Bank asking them not to perform "AH!" due to the program not having enough time to fit them in the schedule. However, on February 4, 2009, After School was chosen to endorse the Adidas "Me, Myself" global campaign. During this month, it was also announced by Pledis Entertainment that along with their Pussycat Dolls concept, After School would model their group after Morning Musume; the members would "graduate" or leave at a certain stage of the group.

In March 2009, After School acquired a behind the scenes reality show on MTV titled Diary of After School. The first episode was aired on March 1, 2009 and spanned for a total of 4 episodes. Following promotional activities for "AH!", After School planned to continue to promote "New Schoolgirl" with "Bad Guy", the third track from their single. However, the track was deemed unsuitable and was banned to broadcast because a single word of profanity was in the lyrics.

After School promoting "DIVA" (2009)

DIVA & 6th Member, UEE

On April 6, 2009, Pledis Entertainment revealed After School's 6th member UEE and sequentially released the MV teaser for "DIVA", their first digital single. "DIVA" was released digitally on April 9, 2009 and After School debuted the track on "M.net M!Countdown" the same day. With Son Dam Bi opening, they were invited to perform as guest performers for the Pussycat Dolls premier concert in Seoul for 6 consecutive nights.

They released their 2nd digital single "Dream Girl", a remake of Morning Musume's "Love Machine" on May 21, 2009; the song was used as the theme song for the Hello! Project Korea auditions show titled "Great Tokyo Girls". The MV for "Dream Girl" was released on May 22, 2009 and they participated along with Bi, Lee Hyori, and Son Dam Bi at a concert held at Kyung Hee University on May 22, 2009; they performed "AH!" and "DIVA".

In July 2009, it was announced that UEE would make her acting debut in the MBC drama Queen Seon Duk as the young version of Go Hyun Jung's character "Misil". In the same month After School formed a project group with Son Dam Bi and they released "AMOLED" for the Samsung HP model. The song was released on July 22, 2009 and the MV was released on July 23, 2009. UEE popularity spiked to stardom with her appearances in the drama Queen Seon Duk, the SBS drama You're Beautiful, and the MBC We Got Married variety show.

So Young's Withdrawal & Neo Ttaemune

After School promoting "Neo Ttaemune" (2009)

On October 29, 2009, it was announced So Young left the group in order to pursue an acting career. On November 12, 2009, Pledis announced they would return with a new member who was a trainee with the company. However, on November 17, 2009 teaser photos were released that revealed two new members, Raina and Nana. They released three sets of teaser photos from November 17, 2009, to November 21, 2009.

The MV teaser for "Neo Ttaemune", their 2nd physical single, was released on November 23, 2009. Coincidentally, the song was leaked by Girls' Generation Tae Yeon's MBC Chin Chin Radio program. Towards the incident, Pledis Entertainment stated "It is true that the songs can be aired once it is approved, however, songs are usually aired after the official release date of the album. Considering the varying amounts of time each broadcasting company takes to review, we normally send the songs in early. Wouldn't the pattern be broken if the broadcasting companies aired them beforehand?"

Nevertheless, "Neo Ttaemune" was released on November 25, 2009 and the single reached #1 on the online charts. However, in response to Pledis Entertainment's statement, Chin Chin Radio demanded an apology from the company; the radio program stated "The song had completed its review procedures so we didn't pre-release it. It was already approved. People said Chin Chin has done this before. That is not true. They (other companies) apologized for their previous incidents and released corrections on false reports."

After School debuted "Neo Ttaemune" on MBC Music Bank on November 27, 2009. Following MBC's demand for an apology, Pledis Entertainment apologized on November 30, 2009 saying that the examination schedule had not been followed on their part and that they are very sorry for questioning the integrity of MBC.

After School promoting "Bang!" (2010)

The "Neo Ttaemune" MV was released on November 30, 2009 and the song dominated online charts in less than 10 days. They won their first "Mutizen" on SBS Inkigayo on December 20, 2009. They won the "Best Style Icon" at the "2009 Korean Lifestyle Awards" on December 22, 2009.

In March 15, 2010, After School's official website published a new picture of the group as a teaser for their upcoming comeback. In the photo, an unknown eight member appeared. This new member had her head down and no information about her identity was reveled. One day later the identity of the new member was revealed, a 19 years old newcomer named Lizzy. Also on the same date, After School official website stated the date for their comeback as for March 25, 2010.

Solo Activities & Japanese Debut

After School promoting "Hazel Eyes" (2010)

On May 31, 2010, it was announced that After School would split into subgroups. UEE will not be participating due to her drama activities, leaving 7 members. It was revealed on June 1, 2010, that Kahi would be a solo artist during the solo activities.

In June 6, 2010, the first group was announced, Orange Caramel. The first member was announced on the same day, and this member was Nana. The second member, revealed the next day was Raina. The final member, announced on June 8, was Lizzy. The group's debut mini-album, The First Mini Album, was released on June 17, 2010. Orange Caramel's concept is 'Candy Culture' which means they are be cute and bright, but be innocent and lovely at the same time.

In December 2010, After School released their fourth single "Hazel Eyes". The single, the first on a charity project singles by Pledis Entertainment was released under the stage name Happy Pledis. Bekah did not take part on the release and Pledis only stated that she was taking a two-month vacation in Hawaii.

In December 31, 2010, After School participated on the annual MBC Gayo Daejun. The group performed the song "Bang!" and making an interlude, a new member was introduced. The new member, Lee Young, appeared dressed with the same outfit as the group playing an electronic guitar solo.

In February 2011, it was revealed Kahi's solo debut mini-album's title and cover art. The mini-album, Dorawa Nappeun Neo, was released on Valentine's Day. On the same month After School Japanese website was open. The group, known as AFTERSCHOOL in Japan, first Japanese release was a collaboration track on Amuro Namie's album Checkmate!. This release was Lee Young's first official activities as a member of the group. Bekah did not participate on Amuro's collaboration as at that time she was probably still in Hawaii.

In mid-April, teasers began popping up for their first album, VIRGIN, which was later released on April 29th. The album featured an unknown singer credited as "Pre-School Girl Yun Jo", who is presumably a Pledis Entertainment trainee and/or a new upcoming member for the group.

In August 2011 After School began their official expansion into Japan by relasing their first Japanese single Bang!

Korean Discography

Albums

Singles

Digital Singles

Collaborations/ Other

Japanese Discography

Singles

Collaborations

Filmography

Television

Trivia

  • Official Fanclub Name: Playgirlz
  • Official Balloon Color: Yellow

Awards

  • [2009.04.01] Cyworld Rookie of the Month of April
  • [2009.12.20] SBS Inkigayo #1 - Neo Ttaemune
  • [2009.12.22] 2009 Korean Lifestyle Awards - Best Style Icon
  • [2009.12.27] SBS Inkigayo #1 - Neo Ttaemune
  • [2010.01.24] SBS Inkigayo #1 - Neo Ttaemune

External Links