After School

After School is a South Korean girl group formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2009. The group is known for an admissions-and-graduation concept in which members join or leave over time, rather than remaining fixed. Its early public appearances include a performance with labelmate Son Dambi in late 2008, and its official debut comes in January 2009 with the single “AH” and the first extended play New Schoolgirl.

Career and releases

The group’s first major commercial breakthrough comes with “너 때문에 (Because of You)”, which reaches number one and earns a triple crown on SBS’s Inkigayo. Other well-known singles include “Diva”, “Bang!” and “Shampoo”. After School also releases a cover of Morning Musume’s “Love Machine” under the title “Dream Girl”, and the digital single “Amoled” is issued as part of a campaign for Samsung’s Amoled phone.

The group expands from its original line-up over several years. Soyoung leaves in 2009, and Raina and Nana join soon after. Lizzy is added in 2010, and E-Young becomes a member in 2010, bringing instrumental skills and electric guitar into the group’s performances. Kaeun joins in 2012. Former leader Kahi, along with Jooyeon, Jungah, Uee and Lizzy, later graduates or leaves from the group, while Raina, Nana and E-Young remain listed among the members in the input.

Japanese activities

After School begins promoting in Japan in 2011 through Avex Trax. Its Japanese debut single is a remake of “Bang!”, which reaches number seven on the Oricon Weekly Chart. The group later releases a Japanese version of “Diva”, followed by “Rambling Girls” as part of a double A-side single, and its first Japanese album, Playgirlz. The album includes its Japanese singles, a Japanese version of “Shampoo”, and several original Japanese songs. The group also takes part in the a-nation concert tour and stages a Japanese tour called Playgirlz.

Sub-units, concept and collaborations

Three members form the sub-unit Orange Caramel. In 2011, the group is also split into two promotional units, A.S. Blue and A.S. Red, with different concepts. A.S. Blue features Jooyeon, Raina, Lizzy and E-Young, while A.S. Red includes Kahi, Jungah, Uee and Nana.

After School’s concept is described as being influenced by the Pussycat Dolls. The group collaborates with Son Dambi and appears with her on stage before its formal debut. Kahi’s background includes work as a backup dancer for artists under SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment, especially BoA, and training under JYP Entertainment. She also performs in S. Blush, a Korean-American girl group whose first digital single reaches number two on the Billboard Hot Dance Chart.

Other activities and recognition

After School models for Samantha Thavasa and uses “Just in time” in a Samantha Thavasa commercial. The group also appears in charity-related releases through the Pledis roster, including Happy Pledis 2012, with part of the earnings intended for UNICEF. It receives awards at the Billboard Japan Music Awards and the Seoul Music Awards, and headlines the MTV EXIT Live concert in Phnom Penh alongside The Click Five.