i like UEE the best ~ o3o

After School selected as models for Japanese food brand Hanryuen



Girl group After School has been selected as advertising models for Japanese food company Hanryuen.

Hanryuen, a mid-size Japanese food company, produces Korean foods such as bibimbap (spicy mixed rice and vegetable dish) as well as other fusion foods, and has been receiving a lot of love from Japanese consumers.

The After School girls are also currently the first idol group models for global handbag brand Samantha Thavasa, and now that they have been selected as models for a food company they are silently emerging as a hallyu leader. Their single “Rambling Girls,” which was released in January, made it to the #6 spot on the Oricon charts and despite the fact that they’re not as well-known, they have been receiving many love calls for advertisements in Japan.

Netizens reacted positively to the news, praising After School saying, “Even in Korea it’s hard to be an advertising model for food unless you’re a top star~ the fact that they’re advertising food in another country is great,” “I feel proud as a fellow Korean that After School is doing so well in Japan!” “I think the more popular you actually are in Japan, the more Koreans don’t know about it,” and “After Schools girls are advertisement queens.”

After School will release their first official Japanese album titled ‘PLAYGIRLZ‘ on March 14th, and on April 27th they will launch their first solo Japanese tour starting in Tokyo, following up to Nagoya on the 28th, and finishing up in Osaka on the 30th.

After School hopes for success in Japan with their formal Japanese album, ‘PLAYGIRLZ’



After School is ready to officially conquer Japan.

On March 14th, the ladies released their formal Japanese album ‘PLAYGIRLZ‘. The album consists of Japanese versions of “Diva“, “Bang“, “Because of You“, “Shampoo“, among other songs that were hits in Korea. As a bonus, the album also contains a Japanese version of Orange Caramel‘s “Shanghai Romance“,

Furthermore, eight other songs which were previously released in Japan such as “Just In Time“, as well as “Rambling Girls“, “Broken Heart“, and “Gimme Love” have also been added.

With a total of 13 tracks, the album is sure to reveal all the different appeals of all eight girls, and fans’ expectations for their new promotions are only increasing with time.

On the day of it’s release, ‘PLAYGIRLZ’ rose to #6 on the Oricon chart, breaking a new record for the girls, and proving that they are quickly gaining popularity in the local area.

A poster of the girls can also be found on the Shibuya 109 building, a major shopping location in the busy streets of Tokyo, and the members have also become the first idols selected to model for a globally famous brand of handbags.

In related news, AfterSchool will be embarking on their Japanese tour ‘PlayGirlz’ on April 27th, covering Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka.

good Girl i love u. flan of my http://www.friv2.org afterschool is pretty good *thumbs up*

After School – Cut Magazine

After School reveals the face of their newest ‘freshman’, 17 year old Gaeun



Pledis has revealed the face of their newest After School member, Gaeun.

According to Pledis, 17-year-old Gaeun went through intense training with Pledis and has the most powerful performances along with charismatic vocals among all the Pledis trainees.

Acknowledged for her musical skills, Gaeun has been ‘admitted’ as the fifth newest ‘freshman’ of After School.

Gaeun spent her junior high school days in Japan, and her fluent Japanese skills will be a huge benefit to the group as they promote in Japan.

“I’m both nervous and excited now that I have been confirmed as the newest member,” Gaeun remarked. “I want to become a helpful and necessary member for my After School seniors.”

An insider from Pledis remarked, “After School is an ever-changing group, with the addition of UEE, Orange Caramel, and Yiyoung since their debut. We hope you look forward to yet a new After School, with the addition of newest member Gaeun.”

Gaeun will hold her very first stage performance after the drop of After School’s new album on June 21st.

In related news, After School will be embarking on their first independent Japan tour on April 27th.

After School’s Kahi expresses her thoughts regarding the recent change in the member line up



After School‘s leader Kahi recently expressed her thoughts regarding the addition of the newest member, Gaeun.

On April 14th, the singer wrote on her Twitter, “What? Nine members? What is this news I hear?? ^^;;;; Anyways… It’s always like this… We’re working hard and it’s like they dumped cold water over us…”

Pledis confirmed a few days ago that 17-year-old Gaeun would be the newest ‘freshman’ of After School. However, judging by the recent tweet, it seemed as if Kahi did not know about the new member.

However, Kahi quickly cleared up the misunderstandings by later tweeting, “Oh! Please don’t misunderstand~ I did know about the new member. Please continue to show lots of love to Gaeun and After School! We are also diligently practicing on our upcoming concert! Look forward to our Japanese concert!”

From her Twitter posts, fans have speculated that Kahi was saying that she knew about the addition of the new member, but was not aware of the fact the After School would become a 9-member group, hinting that the group may have another graduation coming up.

Netizens commented, “A change in the group that even the leader doesn’t know about?“, “What are you talking about, unni?“, and “What about a concert in Korea?”

Meanwhile, After School is scheduled to hold their first solo concert on April 27th in Tokyo, Japan.

After School – Glamorous Magazine

After School Jung Ah and Joo Yeon – Esquire Magazine May Issue ’12

i feel like every time i see jungah her nose looks different but that could just be me. lol.

i miss bekah ;~;

Kahi to graduate from After School



Pledis Entertainment has revealed that After School‘s Kahi is “graduating” from the group.

The agency sent out two press releases today regarding Kahi’s departure leading to confusion. After the first statement was sent out, the agency was flooded with questions from the media as well as fans, and in the midst of the chaos, Pledis incorrectly responded that Kahi would be promoting solo but will not be leaving After School.

However, shortly after realizing the miscommunication, the agency issued out another statement confirming that Kahi is indeed leaving the group and apologized for the confusion created earlier.

After School debuted in 2009 with the concept that members would eventually “graduate” out of the group. Leader and member Kahi will become one of its graduates.

Kahi will participate in the group’s June 17th encore concert in Tokyo, and finish up remaining promotional activities in Japan, which end this September, before preparing as an official solo artist.

As After School’s Japanese tour concert will be her last as a group member, Kahi plans to hold special solo performances during the encore concert as a way to thank fans.

Kahi stated, “To all the After School fans who have given so much love and to my members who have cried, laughed, and suffered with me since we debuted, I thank you all so much.” It’s reported that she’s planning to prepare for her solo album and study acting. She added, “I’ll try my best so that you can see a new side of Kahi.”

Kahi was known as a female singer with excellent dancing skills even before she debuted with After School. She also recently stepped into the acting world on KBS‘s ‘Dream High 2‘.

After School will be releasing their 5th mini-album on June 21 KST. New member Gaeun will also be making a debut with their comeback.

After School to return with 5th Korean Maxi-Single album titled “Flashback”



With their recent success in Japan, After School is making a comeback in Korea.

After School released the first group teaser image on the 11th, in advance to their 5th Maxi-Single album ‘Flashback‘, dropping on the 21st.

The released image shows After School members and their fantastic figures, announcing a powerful comeback, rising up to the public’s expectations of After School. However, many music fans are curious as to what kind of change Kahi‘s graduation will have on the group and the new album.

Pledis Entertainment commented, “After School will comeback with the most After School-esque color that the fans and the public have wanted,” sharing their hopes to rise to the expectations.

After hearing the news, fans expressed their expectations for the group’s comeback by commenting, “After School as expected“, “I’m anxious for After School’s comeback“, “Can feel the intensity just from their eyes“, and “Even just the sound of their name makes people anticipate their stage.”

Meanwhile, After School successfully completed their first live tour concert in Japan in April, and will have an encore concert at the Tokyo Dome City Hall on the coming 17th, thanks to the fans’ support.

Nana is my fav ^.^
& I love, love, loveeee their song "Because of You"

Jung-Ah to become After School’s new leader

.

After the rumors that suggested that Nana may become the next leader along with Pledis Entertainment‘s vague answer that neither refuted nor confirmed the rumors, many had been awaiting news about the next leader of After School.

On June 13th, a source within Pledis Entertainment tipped Star N, “It seems the empty leader position with the graduation of Kahi will be taken on by Jung-Ah.”

With Kahi’s leave and news of solo career, fans and netizens alike had been anxious to see who would fill her shoes. It seems that Jung-Ah, a member who has promoted for a long while alongside Kahi as well as now the oldest of the group, is most likely going to be leading After School with their comeback.

The source explained, “Although there is still discussion going on, unless something happens, Jung-Ah, as the oldest unni, will be promoting from the leader position.”

In related news, After School will be coming back with their new track, “Flashback” on the 21st with their newest member Ga-Eun.

Kahi bids farewell to After School at ‘Encore Playgirlz Tour’



The ladies of After School sent an excited ripple through its worldwide fanbase recently with latest details on their comeback next week with “Flashback”. However, this return has been bittersweet with fans as it will finalize the official graduation of the group’s original leader, Kahi.

After School’s latest ‘Encore Playgirlz Tour‘, which took place in Japan last night, marked Kahi’s final promotional event with the group, so the ladies had plenty of surprises in store for its audience. The group performed a number of popular songs as well as special additions including “Slow Love”. Furthermore, it was announced that Nana, Raina and Lizzy would make their debut as Orange Caramel in Japan in the fall.

However, the spotlight was on Kahi, who dazzled in a few special stages including “Come Back You Bad Person” and “Gift” from her solo album, as well as “In the Night Sky” as an encore with A.S. Red.

After the final performance of “Tell Me”, Kahi reportedly hugged each member of the girl group as the girls all began to sob, then gave the audience a deep bow that lasted over ten seconds. During her goodbye speech, Kahi showed her gratitude for fans, staff and her fellow group members, promising to continue support After School & Orange Caramel.

A photo of the eight ladies backstage was posted on After School’s Japanese Facebook page, and included a goodbye message from Kahi, sharing, ”Thank you so much for today. I won’t forget this day [and] that everyone has always shown so much love. All of the fans have been so kind to support After School. To everybody, every member of the staff, truly thank you very much. Thank you for the many years that will come for After School in the future. I will cheer everyone on to do well! After School, Orange Caramel, and on.”

It’s truly bittersweet to see Kahi leaving After School after all these years, but we’re glad that she’ll continue to inspire and shine in the spotlight, and look forward to her solo debut in the fall.