131023 School’s out for Kahi as K-pop singer goes solo

Kahi, former leader of the girl group Afterschool, launched her solo career with the release of the mini-album “Who Are You?” earlier in October.

For the singer, whose real name is Park Ji-young, becoming a solo artist has been a long, difficult path. She started as a backing dancer in 2000, then became a founding member of Afterschool in 2009.

Kahi actually released another solo album back in 2011 but, as she was still a part of Afterschool at the time, the singer says this new album feels more like the true start of her career as an individual artist.

She also says that this record represents a new phase in her career, one that is more focused on music than on a sexy image.

“I don’t want to compete with other idols any more”, she told Ilgan Sports, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily. “To show what I can do, I participated in about 98 percent of the overall album production”.

Q. What did you want to show with this album?

A. The title of the album is “Who Are You?” In fact, I don’t know who I am exactly. But I hope fans feel ‘this is Kahi‘ when they listen to my album. Before, I was wearing armor to look strong, but now I’ve thrown that away. I want to show the real me.

You’re not projecting a sexy image any more.

I’ve tried not to wear anything sexy on purpose. I didn’t want to appeal as “I’m pretty, I’m sexy”. I wanted to be plain and natural.

How is the music different from Afterschool?

I wanted to do something different, with more music talent in it. I like acoustic rock, hip-hop and R&B. When I was doing dance music, I always wanted to delve into more mature music.

Have you heard you look freer now?

That’s because I was the leader of a girl group. I had to make the others practice, and I couldn’t help but look strong. But now I’m alone, I want to be more comfortable. And I am comfortable.

Was it stressful making this album?

Because I didn’t have a deadline, I wasn’t stressed. I wanted to work with some new composers, so I met many over about a year and listened to around 120 songs.

What is something only you can do?

I don’t think I’m feminine. Rather, I have more of a unisex appeal.

BY UM DONG-JIN

131015 ‘It’s Me! Kahi’ – Peels Off To Expose the Real Kahi

When Kahi was the leader of After School, she was known as “Charisma Kahi” because of her boldness. This time, however, Kahi is different. She isn’t surrounded by her group, and the charisma that she once exuded is now hard to find.

Kahi speaks about her change, saying, “A lot of people expect me to come out with an ambitious mindset to conquer the music charts, but I’ve actually gone the opposite road. I want to do music that exposes who I really am and not a facade. If I couldn’t do that, I wouldn’t have released this album. Thankfully, I was able to release an album and a title song that shows my fans who I really am.”

When confronted with the fact that she lacks her “usual” sexiness, she stated, “I think there are two different ways to express sexiness. One is a total femininity, and the other is a kind of subdued, mysterious and unexpected charm. The first one is like a girl wearing lingerie, and the second one is like a girl wearing a uniform. I wanted to express the second kind of sexy.”

“But,” she adds with a smile, “the choreography is rather sexy and charismatic, so you’ll see some familiar things, too.”

On staying with her old entertainment company while leaving After School for a solo career, she stated, “Because I never thought of them as my crutches or something to fall back on, this new venture is both scary and exciting. I’m mostly happy because I’m doing music that I wanted to do. My mindset usually is to enjoy the ride. If I do well, that’s definitely a plus, but I don’t stress out too much about how successful my album turns out.”

Her title song, “It’s Me,” is not the kind of sexy and powerful dance song that we expected. Surprising and unexpected, but that’s what Kahi wanted.

“I don’t want to try so hard to fit into any kind of predetermined criteria of beauty. My natural, unadulterated self is what has to be beautiful to be found truly beautiful. The title song was chosen with this mindset. My staff despaired when I told them that that was my album concept. They knew that this kind of beauty is the most difficult to depict, but they did a great job. I’m satisfied with our result.”

Her music video was filmed in Spain to put together a package of song, stage performance, and filmography. The music flows as the image flows on the video, expressing the type of beauty and sexy that Kahi wanted to pursue. Kahi explains that it was an attempt to bring Spain and its beauty to her Korean audiences through her song.

Her album was met with resounding approval; many of her fans and music critics stated that this type of music is “distinctly Kahi” and that the album is “a perfectionist album that is easy on the ears as well.” Kahi produced the album, and chose her own songs to sing and called her friends to feature in her new songs.

“I didn’t want to go to all the trendy songwriters and ask for a hit song. I want to bring fresh and fun into my album instead of sounding like every other album. I worked the concept, wrote the lyrics, and brought people to feature in the songs. The level of personal satisfaction for this album is off the charts (laughter).”

Songwriters such as Neonethy, Alice Sky (Rottyful Sky), Mister Rocks & Anthony Mills, Jessie J, Curtis Richardson, Paulo Mendaco, and Scott Hellowell made her songs while stars such as Yoon Do Hyun, Dumbfoundead, Swings, and Dok2 made featuring appearances in her songs.

Kahi stands in the pathway that leads away from being an idol star and leads to being a life-long musician. Many artists have walked this road, such as Kang Ta and Park Jin Young.

“There are too many idol superstars who are amazingly good at what they do – how can I compete with them? I’m going to choose to be a musician that everyone can love – not because I’m an idol or surrounded by beautiful friends, but because they love my music. I don’t need the spotlight – I’ll be a position player. I’m satisfied with that.”

131015 UEE and Jung Il Woo confirmed for new weekend drama ‘Golden Rainbow’

After School’s UEE and actor Jung Il Woo have been confirmed as the lead couple on upcoming MBC weekend drama ‘Golden Rainbow’.

On October 14, the production company for the drama confirmed, “UEE, who recently received an offer for lead role, was finally confirmed after adjusting her schedule” and “The male lead that we’ve been discussing for a while has been confirmed to be Jung Il Woo.”

‘Golden Rainbow’ is a drama focusing on the relationships of seven orphans who are said to be closer than siblings related by blood. UEE will be playing the oldest sibling, Baek Won and child actress Kim Yoo Jung is confirmed to play her younger version. Jung Il Woo plays Do Young, who grows up in an estranged family after his father remarries, and later becomes a prosecutor.

131015 Kahi Congratulates Uee for New MC Role on KBS “Music Bank”

After School’s Kahi shared a selca with Uee. On January 5, Kahi tweeted the following photo with the caption, “Came to see Uee, while preparing in the building across! I knew this was going to happen. Do well~congratulations!”

In the photo, Uee is seen wearing the same outfit she wore on today’s show, holding the queue card for KBS “Music Bank,” indicating it was taken before the show aired. Uee partnered up with Lee Jang Woo for her first “Music Bank” MC spot on January 6.

131014 After School Uee’s Chicken Stew? Brian, “Better Than My Mom’s Cooking”

uee cooks chicken stew for brian

After School’s member Uee made chicken stew, impressing many.

In SBS “Barefoot Friends” aired today, the members visited Brian’s house.

On this day, Uee and Kim Hyun Joong made chicken stew for Brian. They could not hide in their nervousness because Brian is known to have a picky taste out of all guests that came out on the show.

But at Uee’s cooking, Brian said, “My family eats a bit salty usually but this is not as salty and really good. I think if we really get married my mom will love it.”

When Kang Ho Dong asked, “Which do you like better, your mom’s cooking or Uee’s cooking?” and Brian answered, “Uee’s.”

Photo Credit: SBS

131013 After School members come to cheer and support Kahi at Inkigayo

After School and Kahi had a mini reunion when the members came to cheer for Kahi’s comeback stage at Inkigayo today, October 13.

Lizzy shared a very heartwarming group photo of them and wrote, “We went to Inkigayo to support Kahi eonnie’s comeback, I’m so bad girl, I’m so cool girl, I’m so sexy sexy sexy girl, Kahi eonnie the best the best the best It’s ME the best the best the best keke please give her a lot of love♡♥♡♥♡”

However, KaEun is not there because she went to take university entrance exam.

Source: p_Lizzy’s twitter
Written by KYUriShana@dkpopnews.net

131012 Kahi Reacts to People Saying She is Using Rottyful Sky's Death to Promote Her Album

Former After School member Kahi recently made a comeback with her solo mini album, “Who Are You?” After revealing the late Rottyful Sky (Haneul) wrote her title song, “It’s Me” on her Twitter, netizens have been criticizing her saying she is using her death as a means of promoting her album. In an interview with OSEN on October 11, Kahi expressed her reaction to the negative comments saying, “I’m hurt and disappointed that people think that way.”

She said, “I met Haneul through a bible study group.” While catching up with each other, Kahi naturally found out Rottyful Sky was composing songs. “She sent me ‘It’s Me’ after telling me she had a song that would suit me well,” Kahi said as she recollected her memory.

It was the day of prerecording for her comeback when Kahi received the sad news. “I don’t remember how the time passed, but as soon as I finished the prerecording, I went to Haneul. I exchanged many words with Haneul’s mother. ‘Kahi, this is Haneul’s gift to you. I hope you will spread her name’.This is what she said to me.”

She continued saying, “The way to making Haneul’s name known was through doing my best to sing the song she wrote, ‘It’s Me’. I posted my thoughts on Twitter after much deliberation.”

On October 9, after receiving the news of Rottyful Sky’s death, Kahi tweeted, “Rottyful Sky.. Haneul is the songwriter, Alice Sky, who wrote my comeback song, ‘It’s Me’. It is Haneul’s first piece.. and it has become her last.. I will sing for Haneul. Please remember her. Hanuel… rest… Everyone, please pray for Haneul and her family… rest in peace…” expressing her condolences.

She tweeted again on October 10 after attending Rottyful Sky’s funeral, “Haneul, rest in peace. Sing all you want.. So many things happened during the short time we knew each other. I’m very thankful.. and I’m going to miss you very much… I’m now going to be strong!!! I love you.”

Meanwhile, Rottyful Sky returned to the music scene in 2010 with her album, “No Way,” after she debuted as “Haneul” in 2001. Last month, she was hospitalized after losing consciousness. She passed away on October 8.

131011 The Late Rottyful Sky Is the Composer of Kahi’s Comeback Song

It has been revealed that the late Rottyful Sky, (Kim Ha Neul or Hanul), who passed away on October 8, left behind one last song to be revealed through singer Kahi’s solo comeback.

On the morning of October 9, Kahi wrote on her twitter, “Rottyful Sky, Ha Neul is the composer Alice Sky who composed my comeback song, “It’s Me.”” The singer stated, “It’s Haneul’s first piece, and it has become her last.”

Kahi also wrote, “I will sing for Haneul, please remember Haneul,” and expressed her condolences by adding, “Please pray for Haneul and her family.”

The late Rottyful Sky was hospitalized at The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital’s intensive care unit when she lost her battle to brain tumor on October 8.

In 2001, the late singer debuted when she was 13 under the name Hanul and received the public’s love with her sweet debut song, “Gotta Be Kidding.” Although she had a long break as a singer, in 2010 she debuted through the new name “Rottyful Sky” under the production of actor and singer Ryu Shi Won.

After returning to the music scene, Rottyful Sky made musical strides by participating in the drama OSTs of the dramas “Midas” and “Scent of a Woman.”

The last time Rottyful Sky was spotted in public was when she attended actress Han Hye Jin‘s and soccer player Ki Sung Yeung‘s wedding last July. Even then, the late singer was receiving treatment for her brain tumor.

The posthumous work of the late Rottyful Sky will be revealed through Kahi’s comeback on October 10.