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After School (group)

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After School (Korean: 애프터스쿨) is a South Korean girl group. They are managed by Pledis Entertainment, the same management company that manages singer Son Dambi. After School debuted on January 17, 2009 with their first dance song, "AH".

Biography

Career Beginnings and Debut

Park Kahi, After School's leader, started her career in the entertainment industry as a professional dancer for artists under both SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment, most notably for BoA. Park was also part of a Korean American girl group called S.Blush, whose first digital single peaked at #2 at the Billboard Hot Dance Chart. In 2008, Park was featured in Son Dambi's "Bad Boy" music video as a rapper, and Kim Jung Ah was featured in Son's Bad Boy performances as a back-up dancer as part of her training. Lee Jooyeon appeared in December 27th 2008 on MBC "Introducing Stars Friend" as Son's bestfriend. Afterschool prepared about 1.5 years for their debut.

The girls, as a group, made an unofficial first appearance on December 29, 2008 at the SBS Song Festival 'S', performing "Play Girlz" with Son Dam Bi. The days before After School's debut, Pledis Entertainment officially announced that the group's music concept is heavily influenced by the Pussycat Dolls, and that they "will be a type of group that Korea has never seen before."[1] On January 15, 2009, Pledis Entertainment released a 30-second teaser video on Gom TV, reaching 100 thousand views on the first day.[2]

After School's debut single, "AH," was released as a digital single on January 15, 2009, and they made their debut performance on January 17, 2009 on MBC's music program, Music Core.

Admission of the First New Member and Digital Singles

It was announced by Pledis Entertainment, in mid March, that Uee would be joining After School as a sixth member. She was first introduced to the public as a friend of Wonder Girls member Yubin and Secret's Hyo Sung on Introducing a Star's Friend, where they revealed that they were initially part of a 5-member girl group with Good Entertainment that was eventually disbanded due to financial reasons.

Together with Uee, After School promoted their second single entitled "Diva", which is an upbeat Euro beat dance song; their first round of promotional activities began on April 9, 2009, with a performance on Mnet's M! Countdown.

After School's third single, Dream Girl, is a cover of Morning Musume's song Love Machine.

They were also recently featured in a digitally released single titled "AMOLED" for a new Anycall Phone (Amoled Haptic) with Son Dam Bi who is part of the same entertainment company.

Graduation of Soyoung and Admission of the Next Two Members

On October 29, 2009, Yoo Soyoung withdrew or "graduated" from After School before the release of the second album due to health reasons as well as studies. Her departure left After School with many doubts for a comeback in November. However, two new members were introduced in the middle of November. Pledis showcased the new members, Nana and Raina through the internet with pictures. It was stated that these girls were super trainees and has never performed on an official stage. Although Raina auditioned for SuperStarK and Nana was a part of the Asia Pacific Super Model Contestant, Raina & Nana has been accepted or 'admitted' to After School as the 2nd main vocalist, rapper and vocalist, respectively.

Second single "Because of You"

After School made their comeback on November 25, 2009 with their new single "Because of You". Nana and Raina are to make their offical debut. On November 24, a teaser was released. The first two performances scheduled are Music Bank on the 26th and on Inkigayo on the 29th. The music video will be released on the 30th.

Member profiles

Kahi (가희)

  • Birth name: Park Ji-young
  • Date of birth: (1980-12-25) December 25, 1980 (age 43)
  • Position: Leader, Lead Vocalist, Rapper
  • Other Works

Jung Ah (정아)

  • Birth name: Kim Jung-Ah
  • Date of birth: (1983-08-02) August 2, 1983 (age 41)
  • Position: Main Vocalist
  • Other Works
    • In 2005 former member of girl group Kis-Five
    • Featured in Sunny Side's 아프죠 (Hurt) MV

Jooyeon (주연)

  • Birth name: Lee Joo-yeon
  • Date of birth: (1987-03-19) March 19, 1987 (age 37)
  • Position: Vocalist
  • Other Works
    • Had a small cameo role in My Tutor Friend 2
    • Featured in Tony An's Yutzpracachia music video
    • Featured in Sunny Side's 아프죠 (Hurt) MV
    • Featured in Taegoon's music video for "속았다" ("Betrayed/Tricked")

Bekah (베카)

  • Birth name: Kim Rebekah
  • Date of Birth: (1989-08-11) August 11, 1989 (age 35)
  • Position: Rapper, Sub-Vocalist
    • Born and raised in Hawaii, Graduated from Moanalua High School
    • Featured in Tei's "Mr. Lonely" track from his mini-album 'The Shine 2009'.

UEE (유이)

  • Birth name: Kim Yoo-jin
  • Date of birth: (1988-04-09) April 9, 1988 (age 36)
  • Position: Vocalist
  • Other Works

Raina (레이나)

  • Birth Name: Oh Hye Rin (오혜린)
  • Age: 20
  • Birth Year: 1989
  • Position: 2nd Main Vocalist, Rapper
  • Other Works:
    • Previously auditioned for Mnet’s SuperstarK

Nana (나나)

  • Birth Name: Im Jin Ah (임진아)
  • Age: 18
  • Birth Year: 1991
  • Position: Vocalist
  • Height: 171cm
  • School: Jeongju Ochang High School
  • Position: Vocalist
  • Other Works:
    • 2009 Asia Pacific Super Model Contestant

Former member

Soyoung (소영)

  • Birth name: Joo So-young
  • Date of Birth: (1986-03-29) March 29, 1986 (age 38)
  • Position: Vocalist
  • Other:
    • 2005 75th Pageant Line Up
    • Featured in Sunny Side's 아프죠 (Hurt) MV
    • She officially graduated from the group on October 29, 2009 to focus on her health and education.

Discography

After School discography
After School discography
After School discography
After School discography

References

  1. ^ "Son Dam-bi's management releases new girl group After School". Korea JK News (in Korean). 2008-12-31. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-01-16.
  2. ^ Kang Seung-hoon (2009-01-16). "New girl group After School debuts". Asia E (in Korean). p. 1. Retrieved 2009-01-16.


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