[Profiles] Girl group After School profileS and biography

South Korean 8-member girl group, After School (애프터스쿨) originally formed in 2009 under the management of Pledis Entertainment. It is the same management company with singer Son Dambi (손담비).

Park Kahi, the leader of After School, formerly was a professional backup dancer for artists both under SM and YG Entertainment. Most notably with BoA, she was also a backup dancer for Country Kko Kko, JinuSean, 1TYM, Lexy, Chae Yeon, Eun Ji Won, and many others. Furthermore, Kahi was the dance teacher for Son Dam Bi and May Doni. After much success as a professional dancer, Kahi went on to pursue her singing career. She was a former member of a Korean-American girl group called S.Blush, whose first digital single peaked at #2 at the Billboard Hot Dance Chart.

Following days before their debut, Pledis Entertainment announced that After School "will be a type of group that Korea has never seen before," a concept that is heavily influenced by the former dance-singing group, the Pussycat Dolls.

On January 2009, After School released their first debut single "Ah" under their mini debut album 'New Schoolgirls' and their first official debut performance on MBC's music program, Show! Music Core.

In April 2009, it was announced by Pledis Entertainment that After School will be adding another member name UEE as the sixth member of the group. She was later introduced to the public as a friend of Wonder Girl Kim Yoobin on the television program "Introducing a Star's Friend" where both revealed they were part of a 5-member female group with Good Entertainment that was eventually disbanded due to financial reasons.

In July 2009, it was announced that After School would collaborate with Son Dambi (손담비) for her digital single Amoled as part of the promotions for Samsung's phone, "Amoled".

On October 2009, former member Yoo So Young announced her withdrawal from the group due to health reasons and the desire to further her education. Subsequently, two new members, Raina and Nana were added making After School a 7-member group.

Even after much changes, After School continues to have huge success with their second album entitled, "Because of You" (너 때문에). The title song "Because of You" proved to be an instant hit as it was #1 on various music charts and won three Mutizen awards.
On March 2010, After School released their 3rd album entitled "Bang!" with newly added member Lizzy.

Members

Kahi (가희)
Stage name: Park Kahi (Hangul: 박가희)
Birth name: Park Ji Young (Hangul: 박지영)
Date of birth: December 25, 1980
Position: Leader, Rapper, Vocalist, Choreographer

Jung Ah (정아)
Birth name: Kim Jung Ah (Hangul: 김정아)
Date of birth: August 2, 1983
Position: Main Vocalist

Joo Yeon (주연)
Birth name: Lee Joo Yeon (Hangul: 이주연)
Date of birth: March 19, 1987
Position: Vocalist

Bekah (베카)
Stage name: Bekah (Hangul: 베카)
Birth name: Rebekah Kim (Hangul: 레베카 김)
Date of birth: August 11, 1989
Position: Rapper, Vocalist

UEE (유이)
Stage name: UEE (Hangul: 유이)
Birth name: Kim Yoo Jin (Hangul: 김유진)
Date of birth: April 9, 1988
Position: Vocalist

Raina (레이나)
Stage name: Raina (Hangul: 레이나)
Birth name: Oh Hye Rin (Hangul: 오혜린)
Date of birth: May 7, 1989
Position: Main Vocalist

Nana (나나)
Stage name: Nana (Hangul: 나나)
Birth name: Im Jin Ah (Hangul: 임진아)
Date of birth: September 14, 1991
Position: Vocalist

Lizzy (리지)
Stage name: Lizzy (Hangul: 리지)
Birth name: Park Soo Young (Hangul: 박수영)
Date of birth: July 31st, 1992
Position: Vocalist

Former Members

So Young (소영)
Stage name: Yoo So Young (Hangul: 유소영)
Stage name: Joo So Young (Hangul: 주소영)
Date of birth: March 29, 1986
Position: Vocalist
Reason for leaving: Left due to health issues and to pursue education


AH

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