After School

After School (애프터스쿨) is a nine member South Korean female musical group formed in 2009. They are managed by Pledis Entertainment, the same management company of singer 손담비. After School originally debuted with five members on January 17, 2009 with their first dance song, Ah. Park Kahi, After School's leader, had been as a back-up dancer for artists under both SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment, most notably for BoA. She has also been a trainee under JYP Entertainment. Kahi was 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, Kahi was featured in 손담비's Bad Boy music video as a rapper, and Kim Jung Ah took part in Son Dambi's performances as a back-up dancer as part of her training. 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". On January 15, 2009, Pledis Entertainment released a 30-second teaser music video for Ah to the web, which reached 10,000 views on the first day. 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 Dambi. After School's debut single Ah was released with their first EP, "New Schoolgirl," on January 15, 2009. They made their debut performance on January 17, 2009 on MBC's music program, Show! Music Core. In April 2009, it was announced by Pledis Entertainment that UEE (유이, real name Kim Yoo Jin) would be joining After School as a sixth member. She was first introduced to the public as a friend of Wonder Girls member Kim Yoobin on the television program "Introducing a Star's Friend," where they revealed that they were initially part of a five member girl group with Good Entertainment that was eventually disbanded due to financial reasons. Their second single is Diva, an upbeat dance song. The track was released as their first digital single. Promotional activities began April 9, 2009, with their comeback performance on MNet's M! Countdown. On May 21, 2009, After School released a cover of morning musume's LOVE Machine, titled Dream Girl. Later on, it was announced that After School would collaborate with the popular Pledis artist 손담비. The digital single Amoled was released on July 23, 2009 as part of promotions for Samsung's phone, "Amoled". On October 29, 2009, Yoo So Young announced her withdrawal from the group due to health reasons and the desire to further her education. Subsequently, two new members, Raina (레이나, real name Oh Hye Rin) and Nana (나나, real name Im Jin Ah) were added, making After School a 7-member group. After School released their second EP on November 25, 2009, entitled "너 때문에" (Because of You). They made their comeback on the 27th on KBS's Music Bank with their title song 너 때문에. The song proved to be very popular, hitting #1 on various online charts as well as winning three Mutizen awards. A remix version of the single was released on January 22, 2010. On March 25th, 2010, After School, with their new member Lizzy (리지, real name Park Soo Young) released their 3rd EP ("Bang!"). They had their comeback the next day, performing Let's Do It! and 뱅 (BANG)! on KBS's Music Bank. Members Kahi (가희) Stage name: Park Kahi (Hangul: 박가희) Birth name: Park Ji Young (Hangul: 박지영) Date of birth: December 25, 1980 (1980-12-25) (age 29) Position: Leader, Rapper, Vocalist, Choreographer Jung Ah (정아) Birth name: Kim Jung Ah (Hangul: 김정아) Date of birth: August 2, 1983 (1983-08-02) (age 26) Position: Main Vocalist Joo Yeon (주연) Birth name: Lee Joo Yeon (Hangul: 이주연) Date of birth: March 19, 1987 (1987-03-19) (age 23) Position: Vocalist Bekah (베카) Stage name: Bekah (Hangul: 베카) Birth name: Rebekah Kim (Hangul: 레베카 김) Date of birth: August 11, 1989 (1989-08-11) (age 20) Position: Rapper, Vocalist UEE (유이) Stage name: UEE (Hangul: 유이) Birth name: Kim Yoo Jin (Hangul: 김유진) Date of birth: April 9, 1988 (1988-04-09) (age 22) Position: Vocalist Raina (레이나) Stage name: Raina (Hangul: 레이나) Birth name: Oh Hye Rin (Hangul: 오혜린) Date of birth: May 7, 1989 (1989-05-07) (age 20) Position: Main Vocalist Nana (나나) Stage name: Nana (Hangul: 나나) Birth name: Im Jin Ah (Hangul: 임진아) Date of birth: September 14, 1991 (1991-09-14) (age 18) Position: Vocalist Lizzy (리지) Stage name: Lizzy (Hangul: 리지) Birth name: Park Soo Young (Hangul: 박수영) Date of birth: July 31st, 1992 (1992-07-31) (age 17) Position: Vocalist Former Members So Young (소영) Stage name: Yoo So Young (Hangul: 유소영) Stage name: Joo So Young (Hangul: 주소영) Date of birth: March 29, 1986 (1986-03-29) (age 24) Position: Vocalist Reason for leaving: Left due to health issues and to pursue education Discography New Schoolgirl * Released: January 15, 2009 * Format: Single Album * Tracks: 1. Play Girlz 2. Ah 3. Bad Guy 4. AH (inst.) Diva * Released: April 9, 2009 * Format: Digital Single * Producer: Brave Brothers * Tracks: 1. Diva 2. Diva (Inst.) Dream Girl * Released: May 22, 2009 * Format: Digital Single * Producer: Brave Brothers * Tracks: 1. Dream Girl 2. Dream Girl (Inst.) 너 때문에 * Released: November 25, 2009 * Format: Single Album * Producer: Brave Brothers * Tracks: 1. 너 때문에 2. When I Fall 3. Diva 4. 너 때문에 (Inst.) Bang! * Released: March 25, 2010 * Format: Single Album * Producer: Kim Tae Hyun, Kim Hee Sun * Tracks: 1. Let’s Do It! 2. 뱅 (BANG)! 3. With U 4. 뱅 (Bang)! (Inst.) Official website: http://a-school.co.kr