After School was first formed with Kahi as the sole member following the disbandment of Korean-American girl group S. Blush in 2007, as she began planning to produce a new group together with the current CEO of Pledis Entertainment. Aside from Kahi, Bekah was the first member revealed.
At the time, she was a trainee while Kahi was still a member of S-Blush. With Kahi's recommendation, Bekah was brought from Hawaii to South Korea. They were then introduced to Jungah, followed by Soyoung and Jooyeon, forming a five-member group.
After School first made an unofficial appearance December 29, 2008, at the year-end SBS Song Festival. Kahi and Jungah performed "Play Girlz" alongside Son Dam Bi whilst the remaining members, Soyoung, Jooyeon and Bekah, served as backup dancers for Son Dam Bi's performance at the event. After School made their official debut as a five-member group with the release of their first single album, "New Schoolgirl", on January 15, 2009.
The title track "Ah" was used the main promotional track. They also planned to continue promotions with the b-side "Bad Guy". However, the track was deemed unsuitable and was permanently banned from broadcast due to a featuring a word of profanity in the lyrics.
In April 2009, the group added a new member, UEE, standing them at six members. They made their first-ever comeback on April 9 with their first digital single album, "Diva", and first performed the new song on M Countdown. Then on May 21, After School released "Dream Girl", a cover of Japanese idol girl group Morning Musume's seventh single "LOVE Machine".
In July, the group collaborated with Son Dam Bi on the digital single "Amoled". They then became the opening act for The Pussycat Dolls's Doll Domination Tour along with label-mate Son Dam-bi for the Asian dates of the tour. On October 29, Pledis Entertainment announced that Soyoung would be graduating from After School to pursue her career as an actress.
Two new members, Raina and Nana, were introduced to the group, making After School a seven-piece. The group made their comeback with their second single album, "Because of You", on November 25. Promotions for the single lasted between November and December 2009.
The title track became extremely popular, which earned After School three Mutizen awards for the group on SBS' Inkigayo. After School started off 2010 by earning Best Rookie Award at both the Billboard Japan Music Awards and Seoul Music Awards. The group then added an eighth member, after introducing Lizzy.
On March 25, After School made their first comeback as an eight-member group with their third single album, "Bang! ". The group practiced playing the drums for five months with a trainer for the single.
In June, members Raina, Lizzy and Nana formed After School's first-ever global subunit: Orange Caramel. They are intended to have more lighthearted and sweeter concepts over dark and sensual concepts. Orange Caramel made their debut with their first mini album on June 21, using the title track "Magic Girl" to promote the album.
In December, After School released their first project single album, Happy Pledis 1st Album. Due to Bekah being on a two-month break in Hawaii to visit her parents, she did not participate in recording and promotions. On January 27, Pledis Entertainment announced that After School had signed a contract with Japanese record label Avex Trax for them to begin activities in Japan by the end of March.
They then began their Japanese activities by collaborating with Japanese R&B singer Amuro Namie, featuring in the song "Make It Happen" for her collaboration album. This marked the first release since adding E-Young to the group on December 31, 2010. On April 29, After School made their first and only nine-member comeback with their first full-length album, Virgin.
The album consists of remastered versions of their previous songs "Because of You", "Bang! " and "When I Fall", in addition to eight brand new songs. The album's title t...
Log in to join the conversation.
After School Fan Board
Write PostNo posts yet.
Be the first to write one!