[After School] Rambling Girls are coming into After School 7th Thread

[freedreamer]

Originally Posted by CoriKaru

"Dilly Dally" has me in its clutch!

Those outfits they performed the song in though were so mood breaking and off.

I would buy that Single if "Lady Luck" wasn't on it. Songs like that are why J-Pop isn't K-Pop.

Well..it's an encore song to begin with. so naturally they would be in more casual attire and not stage outfits. And I guess that's why they released a Double A-side to have both styles to appeal to more audiences.

sidenote: I can somehow see Namie singing Dilly Dally HAHHA!!

[dreamland2.0]

Loved the concert! So great! This new single is amazing!

[freedreamer]

I think this is an excellent read for every After School FAN


Star News interviews Pledis CEO, Han Sung Soo

Spoiler:

Although most of the discussion surrounding the international presence of K-Pop centers around the “Big Three” entertainment agencies – SM, YG, and JYP Entertainment – there are numerous smaller, but just as potent, agencies working to bring the Hallyu Wave to even farther shores.

One of those companies is Pledis Entertainment. With acts such as Son Dam Bi, After School, NU’EST, and Orange Caramel under its belt, the firm is a force to be reckoned with.

The CEO of Pledis Entertainment is Han Sung Soo, who jumped into the entertainment industry fray in his 30s when he was a ballerino, eventually becoming a manager for SM Entertainment and, finally, the creator of his own entertainment firm. Star News recently sat down with the man to talk about his plans for the future and his current strategies.

—-



Why did you decide to transform into a manager from a ballerino?
I began to feel that ballet wasn’t going to be the rest of my career. I was envious of the process of creating creative content, and I thought that with my passion, I would do well in creating art for the masses. Since I had studied pure art, I always had respect for creativity, and after some pondering, I decided to go into the entertainment world. I sent resumes to Daesung Entertainment (now known as DSP Entertainment) and SM Entertainment, but they never contacted me.

You started working as a manager under SM Entertainment.
At first, I didn’t know how hard the work would be, and I only tackled it because I wanted to seek out a challenge. I used to park my car in front of the SM building and become lost in thought. Over two months, I must have visited the building over 30 times. [Laughs] Then miraculously, I got through to President Lee Soo Man and told him outright, “I want to learn”. So that’s how I began working as a manager. Now that I think about it, I have no idea what possessed me to do that. It’s a bit late to say this, but I lied to an SM employee to find out his phone number. [Laughs]

You began at the relatively old age of 30 and created your own company in 10 years.
Working as a manager for BoA, I learned about the domestic and international entertainment process. Everything was an adventure, and I think I gained some unique experience watching it all from up close. Following that, with another company, I debuted a girl group in America called S Blush with Son Dam Bi and Kahi. This process was also a good foundation for today’s K-Pop activities.

How does it feel to look back upon 10 years of success?
In 2007, I took Kahi and Son Dam Bi to create Pledis. We had no building nor an office, but we had certainty. Rather than try to create a singer, I wanted to lay the foundation. So even though we didn’t have an office, we had a practice room. It’s the same now, but we did not spare any expense on trainees. Training is the most important phase. As I saw acts like Son Dam Bi, After School, and NU’EST mature and grow, I feel pride as well as responsibility.

Is there a special Pledis know-how on how to manage your artists?
Pledis places importance on communication and training. We have an institutionalized mentor system, so we regularly have counseling and communication sessions, and we talk often with our artists. We also place focus on performance, so I personally oversee their practice. Our amount of training is on the larger side, for a distinguished performance.

Do you have a unique strategy for the K-Pop market?
We manage our trainees through a training system that connected with various countries overseas. For those living overseas, they have their definite color and style. We have training systems in Los Angeles, Shanghai, and other cities where instructors teach acting and performance. We share opinions through a monitor connection with Seoul. Our training system that participates directly with instructors in the field is the foundational force behind creating a K-Pop star.



How will you work with After School’s graduation and admission concept?
There have already been several groups in Brazil and Japan where the members are switched out constantly. If we were to debate the creation of the admission/graduation concept, it would be Europe. When we reach a certain point, there is still a fear over the word ‘graduation’ when it comes to leaving the team. Of course, if a fan’s favorite member graduates, there will be negative thoughts about never getting to see that member again. Thinking long-term, it is a way to enliven the members’ unique traits and to allow them to exist for a long time in many different forms. Former members Yoo So Young and Bekah left for acting and education, and we’re thinking about the next graduate. If only to wash away the fans’ concerns, the graduates will leave a good precedent before they leave the team. To do that, I feel we need to put in greater effort.

Many fans worry about the graduation system.
It is definitely a strange way of operation. But graduation and admission has been a part of After School since their debut, and the team will move forward based on that fact. It’s not to simply add members, and any graduation and admission is decided upon after a long discussion. Even if they’re celebrities, a company cannot control their wishes and they shouldn’t need to. In the case of Bekah, we gave her several months to think about it, but she decided to graduate.

What are the strong points that Pledis’ artists possess in the K-Pop market?
First of all, we want to turn After School into a group that gives truly amazing performances rather than simply sing and dance. Following our drum performance, we created a tap dance. To enliven their long-term relevance and unique merit, we spun off Orange Caramel, and I think we earned a new market by grouping three members with similar traits together. For NU’EST, we’d like for them to act as the messenger for those in their ‘teens.

Orange Caramel is scheduled to begin Japanese activities this summer.
There hasn’t been a K-Pop group so far with such vivid costumes, huge ribbons, and sweet performance, so the Japanese response has been hot. We will show off Orange Caramel’s unique ‘candy culture’ themed melody and choreography. According to the response, their combination of traditional Korean liveliness and off-the-wall fashion is getting results.

What do you think is a unique positive trait to K-Pop?
Dancing and singing skills to rival those of any foreign pop group, and our streamlined music and performances. The reason why K-Pop is standing in the middle of Asia is not only because of addictive hook songs, but also because of our polished sound and composition. It’s important to always keep learning by communicating with foreign countries.

—-

With two to three teams making their debuts this year, Pledis is beginning to take shape. “K-Pop is beginning to become Asian pop,” Han said. “It’s not an exaggeration to say that it is a cultural revolution tying together all of Asia. Expanding to more foreign countries is good, but I want to responsibly handle our Japanese activities and proceed step-by-step.”

Source: Star News via Nate

My thoughts:
Honestly I love the vision he has for AFTER SCHOOL in that..they will deliver PROPER PERFORMANCES. THAT is what AFTER SCHOOL is all about. Its a place where members and trainees learn skills together for the future. Members graduating all actually LEARN something new from when they enrolled. But surely Graduating is a sad feeling. It's a phase EVERYONE OF US has to go through in life to move on. From our perspective, it's definitely sad. But as long as the one graduating is happy and has managed to achieve something, then it's time to let them spread their wings. I hope the next graduating won't be right after their comeback though (I have a feeling it would be Juyeon or JungA...or Uie who has definitely achieved enough because AFTER SCHOOL was her platform to shine)

[AyuHamasaki01]

Bigger covers:







credits; fyafterschool

I want those dresses

And you can download the MP3 concert here: http://www.mediafire.com/?zcy8mx4ps0sy6
credits; pcdkl18 @ youtube

[y_nathz]

yet another graduation </3 but well it's their concept anyway, I couldn't complain :3
I kinda had a feeling that it will be either JungAh or Jooyeon .____.
I still love them both tho

thanks for the bigger covers! soooo cute

[freedreamer]

Then again..Juyeon has her reputation in Japan..but only one song on Virgin, whereas JungA is really quite fluent in Japanese though many love her but she doesnt have THAT popularity like Kahi, Nana, Uie...and she's also one of the main vocals...so..letting anyone go at this point is really hard. Pledis did say he wants them to build something for themselves before they should graduate (at this point, only Uie has SOMETHING BIG)

[AyuHamasaki01]

^Yes you're right. I wouldn't be surprised in UEE graduated... but of course I don't want anyone to graduate!

EDIT:

AFTER SCHOOL ARE PREPARING FOR THEIR 5TH SINGLE

After School will be preparing for 5th single recording, jacket photoshoot, MV recording start from tomorrow. Orange Caramel are preparing for their 1st full length album, the demo is almost completed and they’ll start recording soon.

credits; fyafterschool

omg OC full album

[freedreamer]

OMG!!!! ORANGE CARAMEL FULL ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!!! for Korea right?! Seeing how its still in the demo stages...I think we might wait 2 months after their Korea comeback
WOW 5TH SINGLE ALREADY?! these girls are so hardoworking!!!

edit: Oh wait...5TH KOREAN Single...I thought 5th Japanese single HAHA..Mehh..I dont want just a single after 1yr 2 months?!?! At least a mini album would be nice >.< I guess we will be getting 1 intro and 2 new songs

[adantatu2]

I was watching some parts of the concert, and Dilly Dally is amazing!!!!
Sadly there will not be a pv for the song in the single T______T
Lady Luck isn't bad, but is just that sounds to ME like a track for an album or b-side.

And is the 5th KOREAN single i guess. I hope Kaeun is there.
I think UEE or maybe Juyeon could leave After School

[freedreamer]

Oh he did mention After School's 6TH KOR single..to be released when "THE COLD WIND BLOWS"

MEANS AS WILL HAVE 2 COMEBACKS THIS YEAR!!!! within a period of 6 months!!!! omggg ^^

[AyuHamasaki01]

This is something I just read on afterschooldaze and I thought it makes sense actually.

Playgirlz thoughts: After Schools new concepts match new enrollees.

This post was jacked from a comment left by: dagendiot via an fyafterschool post

*******************

After School’s concepts seem to match each new member that joins the group.

E-young has innocent and pure charms so the concept for ‘Shampoo‘ really fit her.



Lizzy is really energetic and so were promotions for ‘Bang!‘.



When Nana first joined the group she seemed chic and cold. The song ‘Because of You‘ is like this in a way? The feeling lmao.



Also, Raina added the powerful factor in the song with her voice.



Now we have KaEun who will be officially debuting in June. I wonder what After School’s next concept will be like – -

I think it makes sense. I hope they'll have a fierce song as a comeback because KaEun looks fierce to me

[CoriKaru]

Originally Posted by AyuHamasaki01

This is something I just read on afterschooldaze and I thought it makes sense actually.



I think it makes sense. I hope they'll have a fierce song as a comeback because KaEun looks fierce to me

I know somebody's arms MUST BE hurting. MUST BE. Because I just witnessed reaching of Rosie O' Donnell wants that cake proportions.

[freedreamer]

Kaeun looks fierce but seeing her at the concert, she's seems very into the music and strong and her personality is quite bubbly. I think we'll definitely get a hyped and upbeat song.

and that's really true. It does bring out the new member's traits well. (but it'll be better if they had more lines) Bang! does represent Lizzy's character but...her lines dont do justice to that. In fact, Aing~ is TOTALLY more suited for Lizzy HAHAHHA and then agian...eyoung had that inner rock star but..

[AyuHamasaki01]

^Yeah come to think of it, Lizzy didn't even have a solo line in Bang!. She shared hers with Nana. D:

[freedreamer]

There's this other article which I saw on afterschooldaze..that made sense to me how things are happening..

Opinion Piece: KaEun’s Debut Along with Pre-School Girl
Posted on 05/04/2012
Jacked from: k-popforthewin

Just to clarify, this is just my thoughts of what could happen, not what will. No insider information or anything is included!

The last time we had two singles in the space of a few months (Because of You [November 2009] & Bang! [March 2010]) There was an admission for each comeback. Infact, they have had a different line-up for every release in Korea. It makes me feel like Gaeun won’t be the only admission this year…
I feel like Kahi’s tweet about being suprised it was 9 members (Which I too thought was just her being funny and of course already knew) was actually because she thought there would be 10 members for their comeback.
Hello Venus now have three of the four Pre-School Girls. Kyungmin is the only one left. (*Admin insert – that we know of lol)

I think they will release a powerful song that expresses big vocals (Showing off Gaeun’s big vocals), followed by a big dance song, expressing big choreography (Showing off Kyungmin’s dancing ability), similar to BOY and Bang!
I also think it’s the reason why Gaeun isn’t in the 5th Japanese Single. Instead of debuting Gaeun in the 5th JP single then Kyungmin in the 6th, they can just both debut in the 6th Japanese Single together.
Afterall, look: (I didn’t include Happy Pledis as it’s not an actual After School comeback, nor Japanese releases)

AH (5 members)
Diva (6 members)
Because of You (7 members)
Bang! (8 members)
Shampoo (9 members)
Comeback #1 (9 members) *Admin Insert June 21st
Comeback #2 (10 members) *Admin Insert “…when the cold wind begins to blow…”
It’s just a lot of things I’ve put together and thought these things. Remember, it was first rumoured at the beginning of the year that two members would join After School this year. Just a thought there!

the 10th member AS that suppose to be for this comeback..may be a result why AS may have a double Korean comeback this time..just to add a new member and...the fact that Kahi was surprised actually could play a big part in supporting this as well.

[AyuHamasaki01]

^Yes that actually makes a lot of sense

EDIT: It's Raina's b-day tomorrow, she'll turn 23 (24 in Korea) tomorrow

[mobius]

Wow, how many more members they're going to add? Hopefully they have enough song lines to pass around. lol. I wouldn't be surprise to see somebody graduate from the group.

Happy Birthday to Raina

[dreamland2.0]

Happy birthday to darling Raina!!

[AyuHamasaki01]

Happy Birthday Raina~

EDIT: I just read this:

MOGEF bans songs by Dal Shabet, Miryo, Dynamic Duo and more

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) is back again with another round of bans.

According to a report released on April 27th, the MOGEF has gone ahead and banned the music videos for Dal Shabet‘s “Hit U” and Miryo‘s “Dirty” for their use of violence, sexual imagery, and slang. Buga Kingz‘s “Don’t Go” was also banned for the use of violence.

Banned songs include Dynamic Duo‘s “Misunderstanding” and “Innocent Prisoner” for suggesting unwholesome dating and slang, while Dok2‘s “Stop Right There” was criticized for sexually suggestive expressions.

The ban on After School‘s “Funky Man” music video was actually lifted when the MOGEF initially banned the music video for sexually suggestive expressions, along with Orange Caramel‘s “Bangkok City“.

As reported previously, albums that include banned songs cannot be sold to minors, nor can they be planned on air before 10 p.m.

Funky Man has an MV? Did I miss something? D:

[adantatu2]

I'm a bad fan for their korean releases, i've never heard Funky Man