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Rolling Stone

The Top 10 K-Pop Groups Most Likely To Break Into America

Originally introduced as a Korean version of the Pussycat Dolls, After School stands out for their live performances. In one promotion cycle, the entire group learned a drum-line routine for single "Bang!," and turned to complicated tap dance for Korean track "Let’s Step Up." As electro-pop dance ballads, tracks like "Shampoo" and "Because Of You" epitomize the genre-blending of K-pop. After School was also the very first winner of the Billboard Japan award for K-Pop New Artist of the Year. With a unique graduation system that keeps the line-up changing (similar to the way the Pussycat Doll brand works), the group can stay relevant and fresh. It’s unclear if any of the current members (nine girls are in the group at press time) can speak fluent English, but with the shifting membership, if an American debut was eyed it would make sense for their label to recruit English-speaking members.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/li...#ixzz1vN4EGfWu

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Overseas popularity: Another route for K-Pop acts?

After School debuted with five members, consisting of now ex-member Bekah, a Korean-American whose English fluency appealed to the group's international fans. The group peaked with their 'Because of You' Korean comeback which earned the then-sextet awards across Korea.

After School's first full-length Korean album 'Virgin', released in Philippines in July 2011 debuted at #1 on the Philippines AstroChart, occupying #2 and #3 positions with their two other releases.

Notably, After School's third Korean EP, 'Bang' received more attention in Japan than in Korea with the unique marching band concept. They then made a splashy entrance in Japan with a Japanese remake of 'Bang', which peaked at #7 on the Oricon charts. The group embarked on their sold-out concert tour across Japan in April, announcing the addition of an encore date in June to accommodate more fans. They recently announced a new member -- chosen for her proficiency in Japanese - which would come in handy in their bid to conquer the Japanese market.

Secret for success: With the Japanese crazy over leggy beauties (credit goes to Girls' Generation's 'Genie' choreography, which was a huge hit in Japan), After School members' heights, which are above K-Pop girl-groups' average, is a huge pull for the group. Not forgetting their 'graduation and admission' concept, much like that of popular Japanese idol girl groups Morning Musume and AKB48, which sure brings K-Pop closer to home for the Japanese fans.