After School 애프터스쿨 aepeuteoseukul

2nd generation January 15, 2009 since 2015 2019

After School (Hangul: 애프터스쿨), stylized as AFTERSCHOOL in Japan, is a South Korean girl group formed by Pledis Entertainment with an admissions and graduation concept. The group’s current lineup consists of Raina, Nana, E-Young and Kaeun. As of September 2018, After School has had eleven members who have joined and “graduated” since their debut as a quintet in 2009.

After School received attention for their unique live performances, often incorporating different performance styles into their songs, including drums, tap dancing and pole dancing, which garnered praise from Billboard who referred to the group as the “top performers in K-pop”. The group also ranked number five in Billboard’s list of the “Top 10 K-Pop Girl Groups of the Past Decade”. They have also won numerous awards throughout their career, including the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Award and the Idol Music Best of the Best Award in the 19th South Korea Culture & Entertainment Awards, and have sold over 12 million copies of their singles domestically.

Since 2015, After School has halted group promotions and the members have embarked on individual music, acting and modelling careers.

In 2019, Lizzy revealed that all members had gradually gone their separate ways, however the group was not officially disbanded and Nana as the last member has renewed her contract with Pledis in 2019.

On June 3, 2021, members Jungah, Juyeon, Bekah, Raina and Kahi made a guest appearance on Jaejae’s MMTG program, introducing themselves as After School. This is quite remarkable, as none of them are members of After School by contract anymore and the only official member then under contract, Nana, would not participate.

On June 12, 2021 the former members Kahi, Bekah, Raina, Juyeon and Jungah performed the After School songs Bang! and Diva in a special reunion performance on the SBS youtube channel MMTG. Former member Uee was also not participating, although she had been a member when the two songs performed were released.