How I became a fan of ... AFTER SCHOOL... one writer's adventure into the playhouse.

As a jaded critic's critic, almost everything I read is met with skepticism.  This matched with the cheesy and numerous failed attempts in the world of Asian pop, including Kpop, I rolled my eyes at the sudden announcement of a Korean version of Pussycat Dolls.

Like really ... The Pussycat Dolls?  You've got to be kidding me.  Seriously?

Don't get me wrong, I really liked the Pussycat Dolls when they entered the scene.  My BFF equated their music to 90s rejects, but evoked a sense of nostalgia that was fun, and in your face sexy.  They were sexy, not so much for men, but for women.  Here was a group that behaved in a way I could only wish to in real life.  Emulate in the sense of being a woman, in touch and unapologetically flaunting and having fun with her sexuality.  Women generally are programmed to hate on women stronger and sexier than them.  "Dontcha wish your girlfriend was hot like me" pretty much encapsulates the essence of what a Pussycat Doll is.

So having a Korean version of the Pussycat Dolls, given Kpop's track record at the time was only at 2 spectrums, Cute and Trashy, I couldn't see anyone really encapsulating the essential attitude of a Pussycat Doll.  A joint special stage of 4 female idols doing a Pussycat Dolls track really solidified my stance on it.  I rolled my eyes, went, "Oh dear lord," and braced for the worst.

Then came the 2008 SBS Gayo Daejun with a special performance with Son Dambi.



My first thought upon hearing them:  "... was that Amil?"  (refer to Jay-Z's "Can I get a ..." music video  here )

Followed by: "hot twins ... (boob rub) ... they just didn't do that, right? ... omg, this could actually work."

AH ...
After their January 17th, 2009 debut performance on Music Core, the international forums went wild.  Among all statements ranging from "OMG, They're the best!" to "WHAT WHORES!" the majority did agree to one thing; That they performed like pros and not like rookies at all.  Their polished performances were perhaps their only advantage over everyone else because what followed was only criticism from the media. Their stage outfits were too revealing and provocative, third track off their mini-album was banned due to controversial/ violent lyrics, their performances were too mature for audiences and they were considered too 'old' to debut as an idol group.

To their and the company's credit, they stood firm by what they created in After School maintaining that their target demographic was clearly for an older crowd not directed to males.  That their age only served to aid them as their experience would give a different feel to their performances and music.  As a writer for another kpop blog mentioned, they were like the girls who smoked in the back alley, hung out in the bad part of town and cut a bitch if they needed to.  It seemed when controversy arose, Leader Kahi would always send out a very subtle "Fuck You" and protected the other members to have the media lay blame to her.  For example, in one Music Core performance, the controversy at the time were their stage outfits.  All 4 members donned sweaters and jackets, covered from head to toe,  Kahi had her bra peeking out from her low zipped, short cut one piece.

Eventually, the tide turned into their favor as they were sought after to perform at events.

Diva / Uee
Their digital and second single Diva was released 4 months later.  On a technical level, it took away from the charismatic, balls-out appeal of AH.  Already deemed as a not-so-innocent idol group, Diva gave them the innocent fun mood that they were missing.

Along with the Pussycat Dolls concept, the group was also structured like Morning Musume, having members graduate and move on when they so chose.  The second single introduced Uee, whose popularity at the time stemmed off her BFF Yoobin from Wonder Girls who brought her onto "Introducing A Star's Friend" the previous summer.  Almost immediately after her debut with After School, the media demanded to see more of her. It soon became a Uee revolution.

Uee, whose personality fit into After School's image, still managed to come across as a baby needing to be taken care of.  It also helped that the playboy of variety shows Lee HwiJae took it upon himself to 'take care' of her as he really respected her father, the coach for the Heroes baseball team.

The Korean media loved her, the International community loathed her wondering why she, the least talented member of the group was getting the amount of attention she was.  Standing at 170 cm (that's roughly 5'7"), body of an athlete and innocent face, she embodied a fantasy girl-next-door-image the other members didn't possess and what Korean society seems to cherish.  The other two seemingly 'innocent' faces of the group, were not-so-innocent at all.  Both SoYoung and JooYeon were ulzzangs each possessing a slightly mature edge that took away from the innocence that many companies seek in their spokesmodels. SoYoung came across quite flirtatiously mature while JooYeon desperately tried to keep her inner gangster from coming out.

While love for After School was there, critics still pointed out they were not the best singers, and only good performers.  After School countered with their open honesty knowing that they were not the best singers, or had the best voices, but that they worked hard and will continue to do so to better themselves.  That their 'flaws' in image, music, age were merely characteristics served only to set them apart from the other groups.

Still despite all the criticism, it was during the promotions of Diva that things really did start picking up for them.

- Due to their Morning Musume structure, they were asked to remake Momusu's hit "Love Machine" into "Dream Girls" for the reality show Tokyo Girl.  This put 2 After School singles in the Top 10 charts.
- numerous featurings - Sunnyside, Tamra the Island OST, Tei, Infinity Challenge
- Their first CF as a group backed Pledis sister Son Dambi in AMOLED
- Citing The Pussycat Dolls and Lady Gaga as influences, they were able to not only meet both, but open up for The Pussycat Dolls concert and interview Lady Gaga personally.
- They became official models for clothing line D2K "Dressed to Kill"
- After School continued to perform heavily at events right up until preparations for their third single began.
- Uee winning over the International fans with her hateful, yet slightly still likeable portrayal as fairy-bitch Yoo HeYi in You're Beautiful.
- But perhaps their crowning moment as a team was their 2PM performance of "Again & Again" on the Chuseok Star Battle that won them the respect from fans who didn't care to notice them before.

Because of You / Year End Accomplishment
The weeks leading up to the release of their third single, met with the departure of SoYoung.  Citing health reasons, having previously fainted during the Diva promotions, SoYoung withdrew from After School sending fans into a tailspin of uncertainty.  Pledis released information and clips of the new member, but ultimately surprised everyone with the photo release of 2 new members, Raina and Nana.

"Because of You," achieved an all kill at the No.1 place on all major charts in its 2nd week.  Interestingly enough, despite the member change, the group seemed closer and more comfortable than before.  Leader Kahi finally relaxed and showed a more feminine side to herself becoming more sought after on variety shows.  Uee ended her awkward 'marriage' to Park JaeJung and rejoined the group. JooYeon, voted the member most like Yoo HeYi from You're Beautiful, finally let her inner gangster out. (See Teacher Is Coming where they punk Kahi.)

While they had already received numerous awards for CyWorld Song of the Month-April (Diva) and the Style Icon Award, taking their first Mutizen and the last given of 2009 was the most well deserved.  While all wept, it was ultimately satisfying for Kahi and JungAh, whose decade long careers of detractions, false starts and failures finally found a winning combination on their terms.  For the woman group that was misunderstood, and who toiled away in secrecy for a year and a half, they had been acknowledged.

Still, After School quietly goes uncredited with many things including ushering the wave of charismatic girl groups of 2009.  They are indeed the top female beast idol group in Korea.  They ARE the Korean version of the Pussycat Dolls.

That's why they're on the cover.

After School & Son Dambi - When I Grow Up


-- edit after comment #13 - because it became like uber long to post in the comment box ---

As I can see, After School is constantly surrounded by controversies and misunderstands - regardless if they are directly or indirectly involved.

I'll answer GoodAsianDriver since we've discussed this previously. I figured it would be in poor taste to mention other groups whom I felt came across insincere and thought that would take away from the focus of the article in general.

As for the 'cut a bitch' bit - I didn't write that, it was another kpop blogger who said that and I didn't disagree.

It's not so much the music I'm comparing of the Pussycat Dolls, it's the vibe. Mature adult women, ACTING like mature adult women - not the cutesy, innocent, sugar rot that was prevalent at the time of their debut. In comparison to what eye candy was in the Korean market previously, they were provocative and yes, Korea IS a conservative country.

Consider Jewelry being the only 'sexy' group at the time w/ "One More Time" whom I endearingly refer to as Luxury Trash. While watching CSJH The Grace when they promoted 'Boomarang' and 'One More Time' was a tad awkward -there was something missing. The 'sexy-output' if you will was different, capturing a different market.  As a woman who's been a fan and followed many female artists, I know the difference.

So when After School came out, the vibe was cool, in your face.  Like, "I'm sexy, I'm cool, look at me, you know you want it - keep your hands off!" and they did it in such a way that was believable. I've actually met women like this, from various Asian backgrounds, who are my good friends and see me as their younger sister. I'd like to think I can decipher whether or not someone actually is being sincere or not.  That there is a reason they behave this way and I understand that reason. (If it puts my mindset into perspective for you, I'm older than Kahi and grew up in Canada where we see ourselves more European than American.)

The biggest persuading factor is, of course, Leader Park KaHi.  I have this vision of her walking around with a butterfly knife stuck in her boots. If one actually watches their interviews, KaHi played a really big part in putting the group together; brought JungAh and scouted Bekah, making them the charismatic 3.  Going through pre-debut photos and the immense amount of work she did as a back-up dancer, she could go to LA and actually become an official Pussycat Doll.  She was Korea's Carmen Electra, with just a bit more good-girl to her bad-girl side.

BTW - I would like to publicaly thank AfterSchoolCraze for the hardwork and dedication they put into a fantastically well articulated fansite over the last year. The standards by which the site was operated was stellar and should be emulated by all fansites going forward. The deferred to forum AfterSchoolPlay has some really large shoes to fill.  Good luck ASC founders and staff, you will be sorely missed.