After School

After School, stylized as AFTERSCHOOL in Japan, is a South Korean girl group formed by Pledis Entertainment. After School officially debuted with five members in January 2009 with "AH!" from the single album New Schoolgirl. They released "Because of You" in November 2009, which was an instant hit and became a commercial and critical success for the group, eventually becoming one of the best selling K-Pop singles of all time. In the beginning of 2011, the group signed with Avex Trax to begin their promotions in Japan. The group made their first official appearance in Japan by collaborating with singer Namie Amuro for a song from her collaboration album Checkmate!, titled "Make it Happen". The song went onto win Best Collaboration at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards Japan. From 2015 onward Pledis halted both After School promotions and the members have embarked on individual music, acting and modeling careers. In 2019, Lizzy revealed that all members had gradually gone their separate ways, however, the group has not officially disbanded.