After School Profile

 Member:

Jungah
(Jung-A in Japan) 정아  2 August 1983 (age 29)      Leader, Main Vocalist, Lead Dancer
Jooyeon
(Juyeon in Japan)주연 19 March 1987 (age 25)       Sub Vocalist
Uee
(U-ie in Japan)유이        9 April 1988 (age 24)         Visual, Sub Vocalist, Rapper, Main Dancer
Raina     레이나              7 May 1989 (age 23)           Main Vocalist
Nana     나나                 14 September 1991 (age 21) Lead Vocalist, Rapper
Lizzy     리지                 31 July 1992 (age 20)            Lead Vocalist, Main Rapper
E-Young     이영           16 August 1992 (age 20)        Vocalist
Kaeun     가은               20 August 1994 (age 18)       Vocalist, Lead Rapper, Maknae



After School (Korean: 애프터스쿨) is a South Korean girl group formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2009. They were known as the first group to debut with a unique admissions and graduation concept in Korea, where members are added or withdrawn in a natural manner.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 consists of eight members: Jungah, Jooyeon, Uee, Raina, Nana, Lizzy, E-Young and Kaeun. Graduate member Soyoung graduated from the group in fall 2009, Bekah officially graduated from the group in July 2011, and Kahi graduated in September 2012.

Kahi and Jungah first performed alongside labelmate Son Dam Bi in 2008. After School officially debuted in January 2009 with the song "AH!" with the five original members being Kahi, Jungah, Soyoung, Juyeon, and Bekah. After concluding their debut song promotions in mid March they made a comeback with a new member UEE in early April with "Diva". Once Soyoung graduated after "Diva" promotions, two new members, Nana and Raina were added for the popular hit single "Because of You", which attained No. 1 and a triple crown on SBS's Inkigayo. Afterwards, After School released "Bang!" with the addition of Lizzy and "Shampoo" where E-Young was added. Shortly after, Bekah graduated After School and After School made their debut in Japan.

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 number seven. The group's debut Japanese album, Playgirlz, debuted at number eight on the Oricon Weekly Album Chart.

In April 2012, Pledis confirmed the addition of Kaeun for the fifth maxi single in June. On 5 June 2012, it was reported that Kahi would graduate from the group in September 2012 to conclude promotions in Japan but not participate in group activities in Korea.

After School, as a group, made an unofficial first appearance on 29 December 2008 at the SBS Song Festival, performing "Play Girlz" with Son Dam Bi. In the beginning on 2009, a few days before After School's debut, Pledis Entertainment officially announced that the group's music concept is heavily influenced by the Pussycat Dolls. On 15 January 2009, Pledis Entertainment released a 30-second teaser video on Gom TV, reaching 100,000 views on the first day. Consequently, the group released their debut single, "AH!" alongside their EP, New Schoolgirl on 15 January'. On 17 January, After School made their live debut on MBC's, Music Core Following promotional activities for "AH!", After School planned to continue to promote New Schoolgirl with "Bad Guy", the third track from their single. However, the track was deemed unsuitable and was banned to broadcast because a single word of profanity was in the lyrics.

During the month of April, the group announced a new member joining the group, Uee. Alongside the announcement, the group released the second single, "Diva" on 9 April 2009. The group performance on 9 April 2009 on M!Countdown. On 21 May, the group released their third single, a cover of Morning Musume's "Love Machine", entitled "Dream Girl". In July, it was announced that the group would collaborate with popular artist, Son Dam Bi, for digital single, "Amoled", which was released on the 16th, which was also part of promotions for Amoled, Samsung's phone. The group were also the opening act for The Pussycat Dolls's 2009 Doll Domination Tour along with label-mate Son Dam-bi for the Asian dates of the tour. After School in 2009.

On 29 October 2009, Yoo Soyoung officially graduate from the group to pursue an acting career. Two new members were added to the group, Raina and Nana. After School made their comeback on 25 November 2009 with their single, "Because of You", with teasers being released a day before. Marking a change for the group to a more mature and sophisticated concept, the song became popular, winning three Mutizen awards and achieving a real-time, daily and weekly "all-kill" on various online music charts. A remixed version was released later on.

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 25 January 2012, and debuted at number six on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart.

After School's first Japanese album, Playgirlz, was released on 14 March 2012. 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 29 February 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 14 March 2012, After School's first Japanese album, Playgirlz, was released in Japan. The album debuted at number six on the Oricon Daily Album Chart, with estimated sales of around 13,000 on the first day, and number nine on iTunes Japan.[56] The album debuted at number eight 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 9 April 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 fifth single, released on 21 June 2012. It was also confirmed that After School would release their sixth Korean single, in the Autumn.

Avex Trax announced through After School's official Japanese website on 23 April 2012, that they will release their fourth Japanese single, "Lady Luck/Dilly Dally", on 13 June 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.

It was officially confirmed that Leader Kahi will officially graduate from the group to pursue a solo album and stay with the company and studying acting. She will stay with the group until September, before leaving the group.

On 11 June 2012, the first teaser image, featuring all members, for the comeback was released. Later that day the title of the maxi-single was revealed, "Flashback", along with the tracklist. The following day, a second teaser picture was released featuring third generation member Lizzy, which portrayed that the group are returning to their sexy concept as Lizzy was seen wearing black mesh clothing and was in a seductive, sultry pose. The individual member teasers then continued with teaser pictures from Uee, Jungah, Nana, Raina, Jooyeon, E-Young and Kaeun in that order. A music video teaser was revealed on 16 June 2012 which gained over 100,000 views in less than 24 hours. The music video was unveiled at midnight on 20 June 2012 along with the maxi single being released online. The title track, "Flashback", went onto achieve an "all-kill" by topping all major online music charts in South Korea.

According to Pledis Entertainment’s managing director, After School will be releasing their sixth Korean single "when the cold wind begins to blow” in the fall. In mid December, it was revealed by leader Jungah on After School's official fancafe that After School will not be making a comeback with their long awaited sixth single but instead are making preparations for a new album due for release in March 2013.

Korean studio albums

• Virgin (2011)

Japanese studio albums

• Playgirlz (2012)

Reality shows

• 2009: MTV Diary of After School
• 2010: Playgirlz School

Dramas

• 2009: You're Beautiful (Uie + After School Cameo)
• 2010-2011: Smile, Donghae (Joo yeon)
• 2011: Birdie Buddy (Uie)
• 2011: All My Love (Lizzy)
• 2011: Ojakgyo Brothers (Uie)
• 2012: Dream High 2 (Kahi)
• 2012: Jeon Woo Chi (Uie + Juyeon)
• 2012: Reckless Family 2 (Jung Ah)
• 2012: my sons(Lizzy)

Movies

• 2011: White: Cursed Melody