After School (Korean: 애프터스쿨; Japanese: アフタースクール), stylized as AFTERSCHOOL in Japan, is a South Korean girl group formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2009. They are the first group to debut with a unique admissions and graduation concept in Korea, where members are added or withdrawn in a “natural” manner. The band currently consists of 9 members: Park Kahi, Kim JungAh, Lee Jooyeon, Uee, Raina, Nana, Lizzy, E-Young and Kaeun. Former member Soyoung withdrew from the group in fall 2009 and Bekah officially graduated from the group in July 2011.
After School had their first performance alongside label mate Son Dam Bi in 2008 and their official debut occurred on January 2009 with the song "AH!". The group became popular with the release of their hit single, "Because of You", which attained No. 1 and a triple crown on SBS's Inkigayo. After School went on to win various awards at the Billboard Japan Music Awards and the Seoul Music Awards.
Other hits by After School include "Diva", "Bang!" and "Shampoo". Three members of After School have also formed a sub-group with a different concept known as Orange Caramel.
The group began a foray into the Japanese music scene in 2011 under Avex Trax with a remake of their Korean hits "Bang!", "Diva" and "Because of You". The group also released an original Japanese song titled "Rambling Girls" in January 2012. Their debut in Japan was quite a success, as the group managed to enter the Oricon Weekly Chart at #7. The group's debut Japanese album, Playgirlz, debuted at #8 on the Oricon Weekly Album Chart.
In April 2012, Pledis confirmed the addition of Kaeun. It was also confirmed that After School will have a comeback in Korea in June.
2012: Playgirlz, Japanese tour, "Lady Luck/Dilly Dally" and Korean comeback
After School's third Japanese single was a double A-side single consisting of two songs, "Rambling Girls" and a Japanese remake of their 2009 hit "Because of You". The single was released on January 25, 2012, and debuted at #6 on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart.
After School's first Japanese album, Playgirlz, was released on 14 March 2012.[48] The album contains all their Japanese singles plus a Japanese version of their latest Korean single, "Shampoo", and 6 original Japanese songs. The regular edition of the album also includes a Japanese version of Orange Caramel's, a sub-unit of After School, "Shanghai Romance" as a bonus track. On February 29, 2012, After School digitally released a promotional single, "Just in time", to promote the new album which was released the following month. "Just in time" is also used in a Samantha Thavasa commercial featuring After School themselves. After School are also models for Samantha Thavasa.
In March 2012, After School, who are keeping busy in both Korea and Japan, were recently selected as representatives for the Japanese food company Hanryuen. The company presents Korean food, including Bibimbap (boiled rice with assorted mixtures) and a variety of fusion foods.
On March 14, 2012, After School's first Japanese album, Playgirlz, was released in Japan. The album debuted at #6 on the Oricon Daily Album Chart, with estimated sales of around 13,000 on the first day, and #9 on iTunes Japan.[53] The album debuted at #8 on the Oricon Weekly Album Chart with sales of 16,000.
After School will be starting their first Japanese tour titled Playgirlz in April. With a total of four dates, the tour is scheduled to kick off at the Zepp Tokyo on April 27, followed by the Zepp Nagoya on April 28 and Namba, Osaka on April 30. The tour will then finish on June 17 at Tokyo Dome City Hall.
On April 9, 2012, Pledis revealed a brand new member would be added to the group. The following day, the member was officially revealed to be Kaeun, who would join them for their new album, released on June 21, 2012.
Avex Trax announced through After School's official Japanese website on April 23, 2012, that they will release their fourth Japanese single, "Lady Luck/Dilly Dally", on June 13, 2012. The single is a double A-side single and the regular edition also contains an additional track, "Slow Love", which is the song used on the Eyefull Home commercial.
Members
| Stage name | Birth name | Date of birth | Joined | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romanized | Hangul | Romanized | Hangul | ||
| Kahi | 가희 | Park Ji Young | 박지영 | 25 December 1980 | Debut |
| Jungah (Jung-A in Japan) | 정아 | Kim Jung Ah | 김정아 | 2 August 1983 | Debut |
| Jooyeon (Juyeon in Japan) | 주연 | Lee Joo Yeon | 이주연 | 19 March 1987 | Debut |
| Uee (U-ie in Japan) | 유이 | Kim Yu Jin | 김유진 | 9 April 1988 | April 2009 |
| Raina | 레이나 | Oh Hye Rin | 오혜린 | 7 May 1989 | November 2009 |
| Nana | 나나 | Im Jin Ah | 임진아 | 14 September 1991 | November 2009 |
| Lizzy | 리지 | Park Soo Young | 박수영 | 31 July 1992 | March 2010 |
| E-Young | 이영 | Noh Yi Young | 노이영 | 16 August 1992 | December 2010 |
| Gaeun | 가은 | Shin Ga Eun | 신가은 | 20 August 1994 | May 2012 |
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