After School (애프터스쿨) is a South Korean girl group under Pledis Entertainment. This group is styled after Japanese girl group Morning Musume in that it operates with a rolling ‘admission’ and ‘graduation’ system. When After School first debuted they had a show called “Diary of AfterSchool” which lasted five episodes.
After School’s official fan club is called “Play Girlz”.
2009 – Debut: AH
(First Generation)
Kahi, Jung Ah, So Young, Joo Yeon, Bekah
The group debuted with five members: Kahi, Jung Ah, So Young, Joo Yeon, and Bekah on January 17, 2009 with their single, “Ah!”. This single is apart of their single-album: New SchoolGirl which features one other song. Afterschool’s image/concept for their first single-album was modeled after American girl group The PussyCat Dolls. This powerful and sexy image/concept earned them the title of the ‘Korean Pussycat Dolls’.
2009 – One new admit: Diva
(Second Generation)
Kahi, Jung Ah, So Young, Joo Yeon, U-ie, Bekah
In April 2009 U-ie joined AfterSchool and became their sixth member. Soon after the now six member group released “Diva” as a digital single. Another digital single AfterSchool released as six members was “Amoled” along with their label sister Son Dambi on July 22, 2009. The Video/CF was released the next day. The last digital single released from Afterschool as six members was “Dream Girl” released on May 22, 2009.
2009 – First graduate
October 29, 2010 AfterSchool went through their first “graduation” when So young left the group. The reason for this was due to illness and the fact that So Young wanted to focus on her education. In August 2010 it was revealed that So Young joined a new entertainment company and will debut as an actress.
2009 – Two new admissions: Because of You
(Third Generation)
Kahi, Jung Ah, Joo Yeon, U-ie, Raina, Bekah, Nana
Before AfterSchool’s comeback they added two new ‘students’ named Raina and Nana in November 2009 (Officially debuted with the group on November 26th 2009). The now seven member group released “Because of You” in the same month. This single is apart of their single-album: Because of You which contains one other song. The song “Because of You” was AfterSchool’s first chart-topping single since their debut. This song marked a change for the group as their image/concept changed into something more mature and sophisticated.
2010 – One new admit: Bang!
(Fourth Generation)
Kahi, Jung Ah, Joo Yeon, U-ie, Raina, Bekah, Nana, Lizzy
On March 25, 2009 AfterSchool came back with a new single titled “Bang!” along with a brand new member named Lizzy. With this new addition AfterSchool was now an eight member group.
2010 – Orange Caramel Subgroup: Magic Girl
On May 31, 2010, Pledis announced that After School would be splitting up into two subgroups with three members each and one solo artist for promotion. Uee will not participate due to her drama promotions.
The first sub-unit group was named Orange Caramel. On June 6, 2010, Pledis announced Nana as the first member of one of the 2 sub-units. On June 7, 2010, Pledis announced Raina as the second member of the same sub-unit. On June 8, 2010, Pledis announced Lizzy as the final member of this sub-unit. The trio released a new mini album entitled Orange Caramel. “The First Mini album” consists of 4 tracks, which are 2 songs and instrumentals of those tracks. The version released in Taiwan had a special song- “The Day You Went Away”. The song is released as a Special for Taiwan that is Mandarin Version and it’s a cover from Cyndi Wang, a Taiwanese singer who’s popular. The promoted song is Magic Girl (마법소녀). The second song is Love Does Not Wait (사랑을 미룰 순 없나요) which is Raina’s solo song. Orange Caramel’s concept is cheery and retro, or Candy Culture (cute and bright, while lovely and innocent at the same time). Their music video was released on June 16, 2010. Raina is the leader of this subgroup.
The group starred in their first dedicated TV show called “Playgirlz School” for cable channel MBCEvery1 starting in July 2010.
2010 – One New Enrollee? – - A~ing and Love Love Love
On November 13, 2010 it was revealed through fan sites but not confirmed by Pledis Entertainment that trainee Kim Hyung Min would be joining AfterSchool as their ninth member. A small article found in Kyung Min’s school paper talked about her being added to the group.
Orange Caramel released their second mini album on November 18, 2010. Their title track “A~ing♡” was produced by Wheesung and Jo Yeong Soo. Though some controversy surrounded the lyrics it went on to chart very well. Four songs in total are on the mini album: “A~ing♡”, “One Love”, 아직…(lyrics byRaina) and 이곳에 서서, including an instrumental for “A~ing♡”.
On December 5th it was confirmed through Jason who works at Pledis that After School would be debuting in Japan in 2011 through his twitter page.
On December 6, 2010 After School released their charity album titled ‘Happy Pledis 1st Album’. A portion of the profits will go to the ‘Save the Children’ organization. All the members participated except for Bekah who was on vacation in Hawaii for two months and wouldn’t join the group for promotions. The title song from this single album is ‘Love Love Love’. The second and last song on the album is “Someone is you”. Instrumentals for both of the songs are included on the album.
2010 – New Member Confirmed
(Fifth Generation)
Kahi, Jung Ah, Joo Yeon, U-ie, Raina, Bekah, Nana, Lizzy, Young
On December 31st, 2010 it was revealed through Kahi’s twitter and South Korean News sites that No Yi Young was chosen as the ninth member of After School and would be performing for the first time at the MBC Gayo Daejun. Yi Young studied at the K-Note Music Academy where she majored in Vocals and Electric Guitar. She officially debuted on December 31st, 2010 with After School at the 2010 MBC Gayo Daejun.
2011 – Album announcement + Kahi’s solo Debut
On January 1st it was announce through Pledis entertainment that After School would be making a comeback in March. On January 3rd, it was revealed that Kahi was in the final stages of preparation for her solo debut. A representative from Pledis revealed Kahi would start promotions in February. On January 7th, Pledis Boss (Sunghan) answered a fans question on twitter about After School putting out a “proper” full. Pledis Boss responded and confirm After School would indeed be releasing a full album in March.
Awards:
- Rookie of The Month Award at Cyworld Digital Music Awards 34th with ‘Diva’
- Best Style Icon Award at 2009 Korea Lifestyle Awards
- Mutizen Awards at SBS Inkigayo Episode 558, 559 & 562 with ‘Because of You’
- K-pop New Artist of the Year 2009 at Billboard Japan Music Awards 2009
- Rookie Award at 19th High1 Seoul Music Awards
Courtesy of AfterSchoolDaze
Credit for information: Pledis Entertainment, AfterSchool’s Official website, AfterSchoolCraze.com, mihyejung@soompi + sleepysa@soompi, en.wikipedia.org
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