After School

Introduction

After School (애프터스쿨) is a South Korean girl group formed by Pledis Entertainment, debuted on January 15, 2009 with the single “New Schoolgirl”. Known for their innovative graduation system, the group has left an indelible mark on the K-pop industry with their bold concepts, iconic performances, and memorable songs.

The Unique Graduation System

Unlike traditional K-pop groups, After School implemented a “graduation system” where members would leave the group upon completing their tenure, making way for new members. This concept not only kept the group dynamic but also ensured fresh talent and creativity in their lineup.

Albums

• Virgin (2011)
  • “Let’s Step Up”
  • “Shampoo”
  • “Virgin”
  • “Bang! (2011 New Recordings)”
  • “Play Ur Love”
  • “Dream”
  • “Because of You (2011 New Recordings)”
  • “Lean on Time”
  • “Are You Doing Okay?”
  • “Funky Man”
  • “My Bell”
  • “When I Fall”
  • “With U”
• Playgirlz (Japanese, 2012)
  • “Rip off”
  • “Rambling Girls”
  • “BROKEN HEART”
  • “Diva (Japanese Version)”
  • “Just in time”
  • “Shampoo (Japanese Version)”
  • “Because of You (Japanese Version)”
  • “Gimme Love”
  • “Bang! (Japanese Version)”
  • “Tell me”
  • “Shanghai Romance (Japanese Version)”
  • “Make it happen”

Notable Singles

• “AH!” (2009)
• “Diva” (2009)
• “Because of You” (2009)
• “Bang!” (2010)
• “Shampoo” (2011)
• “Flashback” (2012)
• “First Love” (2013)
• “Heaven” (Japanese, 2013)
• “Shh” (Japanese, 2014)
• “Week” (2014)

Subunit Songs

• Orange Caramel
  • “Magic Girl”
  • “A-ing”
  • “Bangkok City”
  • “Shanghai Romance”
  • “Lipstick”
  • “Catallena”

Top Songs and Achievements

After School is celebrated for their diverse discography and show-stopping performances. Some of their most notable tracks include:

• “Bang!”: A high-energy anthem featuring a marching band concept.
• “Because of You”: A heartfelt ballad that showcased their vocal prowess.
• “First Love”: Known for its stunning pole-dance choreography.
• “Diva”: A playful and upbeat track that became a fan favorite.

Subunits and Side Projects

To highlight individual talents and explore different musical styles, After School introduced subunits. The most notable subunit, Orange Caramel, featured members Raina, Nana, and Lizzy. With their quirky and colorful concepts, Orange Caramel gained immense popularity with hits like “Catallena” and “Lipstick.”

Biodata of After School Members

• Kahi:
  • Full Name: Park Ji-young
  • Position: Leader, Main Rapper, Main Dancer
  • Birthdate: December 25, 1980
  • Graduated: 2012
• Jungah:
  • Full Name: Kim Jung-ah
  • Position: Leader, Main Vocalist
  • Birthdate: August 2, 1983
  • Graduated: 2016
• Jooyeon:
  • Full Name: Lee Joo-yeon
  • Position: Vocalist, Visual
  • Birthdate: March 19, 1987
  • Graduated: 2014
• Uee:
  • Full Name: Kim Yoo-jin
  • Position: Vocalist, Lead Dancer, Face of the Group
  • Birthdate: April 9, 1988
  • Graduated: 2017
• Nana:
  • Full Name: Im Jin-ah
  • Position: Lead Dancer, Vocalist, Visual
  • Birthdate: September 14, 1991
• Raina:
  • Full Name: Oh Hye-rin
  • Position: Main Vocalist
  • Birthdate: May 7, 1989
• Lizzy:
  • Full Name: Park Soo-young
  • Position: Vocalist, Lead Rapper
  • Birthdate: July 31, 1992
• E-Young:
  • Full Name: Noh Yi-young
  • Position: Vocalist
  • Birthdate: August 16, 1992
• Kaeun:
  • Full Name: Lee Ka-eun
  • Position: Vocalist
  • Birthdate: August 20, 1994

Fun Facts About After School

• After School is often referred to as “K-pop’s Pussycat Dolls” due to their fierce performances and powerful stage presence.
• The iconic drumline choreography in “Bang!” took months of intense training to perfect.
• Nana, one of the group’s most famous members, was named one of the most beautiful faces in the world multiple times by TC Candler.
• Orange Caramel, a subunit of After School, is known for its humorous and unconventional music videos.
• Jooyeon had a cameo in the popular K-drama “You Who Came From the Stars.”
• Kahi, the group’s first leader, started as a backup dancer before debuting with After School.
• “Because of You” was the group’s first major hit and remains one of their most beloved tracks.
• The pole-dancing choreography in “First Love” was considered groundbreaking in the K-pop industry.
• Raina is recognized as one of the best vocalists in K-pop and contributed to writing several songs.
• After School was the first K-pop girl group to perform at Japan’s prestigious Tokyo Dome City Hall.

The Legacy of After School

Although After School‘s activities have slowed down in recent years, their impact on the K-pop industry remains undeniable. From their experimental concepts to their iconic performances, they paved the way for future generations of artists to push boundaries and explore new ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When did After School debut? January 2009 with their single “AH!”
• What is the graduation system? A system where members leave (graduate) from the group, allowing new members to join.
• Who are the most notable members? Some fan-favorites include Kahi, Nana, Raina, Lizzy, and Uee.
• Is After School still active? While the group hasn’t officially disbanded, they’ve been inactive for some time.