Park Ji-young (; born December 25, 1980), professionally known as Kahi, is a South Korean singer, dancer, and actress known for her work as a former leader of South Korean girl group After School. As of June 2012, Kahi graduated from After School and continued her career as a solo singer and actress with Pledis before her contract ended in January 2015.
Early life
Kahi was born in
Daegu on December 25, 1980.
She was raised by her grandparents. She found her passion for dancing when she was 16 and also around this time became fascinated by the hip hop group Roo'ra, which would motivate her to become a singer. However, due to family opposition and practical conditions, she could not receive professional training, so during high school, she trained herself in singing and dancing. Her father prevailed upon her to go to a university in a rural area. At first, she obeyed his wishes, however, she was unable to endure being a college student and eventually left her hometown to pursue a dancing career. She did not speak with her father for the next seven years. She went to
Seoul alone and without funds. One day a friend took her to an interview to be a backup dancer. She did well at the audition and got the job. She started her dancing career at age 18.
Career
2000–2007: Dancing and S.Blush
In 2000, Kahi was chosen as the main dancer for
DJ Doc's mega-hit, "Run to You". However, this instant success also brought her huge stress and eventually forced her to leave for a period of time. To make an income, she worked as a cleaner, waitress, and sales clerk. A choreographer in
SM Entertainment gave her a chance to become a temporary dancer for
BoA, which became a full-time position. She gradually gained fame as a dancer and her work with BoA lasted more than three years. Besides BoA, she was also an important backup dancer for Country Kko Kko,
Jinusean, 1TYM, Lexy,
Lee Chae-yeon, Eun Ji Won, and many others. She was also the dance teacher for Son Dam Bi, May Doni, and Kim Jung Ah, her future bandmate.
Around 2006, after more than five years career as a professional dancer, she began working also as a singer. She joined the Korean American girl group "S. Blush", whose first digital single peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Chart in May 2007.
2007–2012: Debut with After School
In late 2007, Kahi contacted some friends in the industry at Pledis Entertainment. Together, they planned for and produced a new group. In January 2009, after years of work and selection of members, the group After School was introduced. After School would undergo many member changes and image changes, but Kahi remained as the leader. Rumours of her leaving the group had begun as early as 2010 when Pledis Entertainment initially announced she would release a solo album.
[ Park, Yeong-ju. After School, 가희 솔로설에 네티즌 "가희, 졸업하나?" ( After School's Kahi Debuts Solo; Netizens Ask, "Kahi, Are You Graduating?") . Korea Economic Daily. June 3, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2011.] In 2010, Kahi joined the cast of reality-variety series
Yeongunghogeol (영웅호걸, "
Heroes").
[ Lee, Mi-hye. SBS '영웅호걸', 걸그룹 예능 선봉장 KBS '청춘불패' 뛰어넘을까? ( Can SBS's Heroes Leap Over Predecessor Invincible Youth ?). Kyunghyang Shinmun. July 5, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2011.]
The promotional campaign for Kahi's solo debut started in mid-February 2011, with the album jacket photos released on February 9[ Kim, Won-gyeon. 애프터 스쿨 가희 솔로음반, 베일 벗었다 ( After School's Kahi's Solo Album, Veil Removed). The Dong-A Ilbo. February 9, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.] and a teaser video on February 12.[ 가희, 블랙 섹시 vs 청순 화이트..'돌아와 나쁜너' 티저공개 ( Kahi Releases Teaser for "Come Back, You Bad Person"...Black Sexy vs. Innocent White) Stoo.com/ Asia Economy. February 12, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.] The album photos were noted for highlighting the singer's "S-line",[ Kim, Yong-seub. '환상적 보디라인' 가희, 도발적 섹시미 발산 ( "Fantastic Body Line" Kahi, Radiates Provocative Sexiness) . Sports Seoul. February 11, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.] while netizens and news articles commented on the contrasting "black vs. white" images and "charisma" in the teaser.[ 가희, '돌아와 나쁜 너' 티저 공개..."가희 여신" ( Kahi Releases "Come Back, You Bad Person" Teaser... "Kahi is a Goddess"). Money Today. February 11, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.] The extended play was then released on February 14, 2011.[ 돌아와 나쁜 너 (EP) . Mnet store listing. Retrieved February 13, 2011.] The music video for "Come Back, You Bad Person" was released on February 14, 2011, and Kahi began promotional activities on 18th.[ Kim, Won-gyeon. 걸그룹 대세?...여자 솔로들이 움직인다 ( Girl Group Trend?... Female Solo Artists are Moving. The Dong-A Ilbo. February 13, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.] In early 2012, Kahi was cast in Dream High 2, playing a teacher at Kirin Art School.
2012–present: Group departure and solo career activities
In June 2012, it was announced Kahi would be leaving After School to pursue a solo singing and acting career.
In March 2013, Kahi was rumoured to be having a solo comeback, but it was put on hold.
Later over a year from her last solo release, Pledis Entertainment announced on September 25, 2013, that Kahi would be releasing her second mini album, titled "Who Are You?", on October 10.
In 2014, Kahi acted as the lead role of Bonnie in the musical and Korean adaptation of Bonnie & Clyde alongside 's Hyungsik. Following After School's sixth anniversary in January 2015, Kahi announced that she was leaving Pledis Entertainment.
Personal life
On March 26, 2016, Kahi married entrepreneur Yang Jun-mu (CEO of Incase Korea) in a private ceremony in Hawaii.
In May 2016, Kahi announced that she and her husband were expecting their first child.
On October 3, Kahi gave birth to a son, Yang No-ah. Their second son, Yang Si-on, was born on June 16, 2018.
Discography
Compilation albums
Extended plays
Singles
Collaborations
Music videos
|
|
| 2011 | "Come Back, You Bad Person" | 3:11 |
| 2013 | "It's Me" | 3:51 |
Writing credits
-
After School - "When I Fall" (2009)
-
After School - "With U" (2010)
-
Suki - "One Love" (2010)
-
Son Dam-bi - "Beat Up by a Girl" (2010)
-
After School - "Someone Is You" (2010)
-
Kahi - "Slow" (2013)
-
Kahi - "Sinister" (2013)
-
Kahi - "Hey Boy"(2013)
Filmography
Variety shows
|
|
| Champagne | Eps. 82 |
| Happy Together | Eps. 156 |
| Heroes | Member |
| Idol Show Season 3 | Guest (with After School) |
| Idol Show Season 5 | Guest (with After School) |
| Infinite Challenge | Eps. 32 (with After School) |
| PlayGirlz School | Member (with After School) |
| Radio Star | with Son Dam-bi, Kim Jungah and Nana |
| |
| Shin PD's Variety World | with After School members |
| |
| |
| Strong Heart | Eps. 17, 18, 27, 28, 39, 40 |
| Episode 6 with G-Dragon, Daesung, Kim Kyung-ho & Noh Sa-yeon |
| Taxi | with After School members |
| Trainer/ Judge |
| Produce 101 Season 2 |
| Radio Star | Episode 534 with Lee Hyori, Chae Ri-na & Narsha |
| Mama The Idol | tvN / Cast Member |
TV drama
|
|
| 2009 | You're Beautiful | Guest role |
| 2012 | Dream High 2 | Hyun Ji Soo |
| 2013 | Because We Haven't Broken Up Yet | Shim Jae Hee |
Musical
Awards
|
|
| 2010 | SBS Entertainment Awards | New Star Award | | |
External links
