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.

Kahi
Park in February 2024
Born
Park Ji-young

(1980-12-25) December 25, 1980 (age 43)
Daegu, South Korea
Occupations
  • Singer
  • dancer
  • actress
  • songwriter
SpouseYang Joon-mu (m. 2016)
Children2
Musical career
GenresK-pop
Years active2000–present
LabelsPledis
Formerly of
WebsiteOfficial Profile Page
Korean name
Hangul
박지영
Hanja
Revised RomanizationBak Ji-yeong
McCune–ReischauerPak Chiyŏng
Stage name
Hangul
가희
Hanja
嘉熙
Revised RomanizationGa-hui
McCune–ReischauerKahŭi

Early life

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Kahi was born in Daegu on December 25, 1980.[1] 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.[citation needed]

Career

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2000–2007: Dancing and S.Blush

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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, 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.[2] However, due to various reasons, the band soon disbanded.

2007–2012: Debut with After School

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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.[3] In 2010, Kahi joined the cast of reality-variety series Yeongunghogeol (영웅호걸, "Heroes").[4]

The promotional campaign for Kahi's solo debut started in mid-February 2011, with the album jacket photos released on February 9[5] and a teaser video on February 12.[6] The album photos were noted for highlighting the singer's "S-line",[7] while netizens and news articles commented on the contrasting "black vs. white" images and "charisma" in the teaser.[6][8] The mini-album was then released on February 14, 2011.[9] The music video for "Come Back, You Bad Person" was released on February 14, 2011, and Kahi began promotional activities on 18th.[10] In early 2012, Kahi was cast in Dream High 2, playing a teacher at Kirin Art School.

2012–present: Solo career

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Park at Son Dam-Bi's Beautiful Days press conference in 2013

In June 2012, it was announced Kahi would be leaving After School to pursue a solo singing and acting career.[11] In March 2013, Kahi was rumoured to be having a solo comeback, but it was put on hold.[12] 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 ZE:A's Hyungsik. Following After School's sixth anniversary in January 2015, Kahi announced that she was leaving Pledis Entertainment.[13] In 2016, she was a dance trainer on the girl group survival show Produce 101. In late 2016, it was announced that she would return as a judge and dance trainer for the male version of Produce 101 titled Produce 101 Season 2.[14][15] In June 2018, she also became a one-day dance trainer/judge for Produce 48.

Personal life

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On March 26, 2016, Kahi married entrepreneur Yang Jun-mu (CEO of Incase Korea) in a private ceremony in Hawaii.[15][16] In May 2016, Kahi announced that she and her husband were expecting their first child.[17] On October 3, Kahi gave birth to a son, Yang No-ah. Their second son, Yang Si-on, was born on June 16, 2018.[18]

Discography

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Kahi discography
EPs2
Compilation albums1
Singles2
Music videos2
Collaborations3

Compilation albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
JPN
[19]
Who Are You? & Come Back You Bad Person
  • Released: March 26, 2014
  • Label: Avex Trax
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing

CD

  1. "Boys and Girls"
  2. "It's ME"
  3. "Hey Boy"
  4. "Sinister"
  5. "色とりどりの世界 (Colorful World)"
  6. "Slow"
  7. "Come Back You Bad Person"
  8. "One Love"
  9. "Gift"
  10. "Roller Coaster"

DVD

  1. "It's Me" (Music video)
  2. "Come Back You Bad Person" (Music video)
201
  • JPN: 720

Extended plays

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[20]
Come Back, You Bad Person (돌아와 나쁜 너)[21]
Track listing
  1. "돌아와 나쁜 너 (Come Back, You Bad Person)"
  2. "One Love"
  3. "선물 (Gift)"
  4. "롤러코스터 (Roller Coaster)"
6
Who Are You?
  • Released: October 10, 2013
  • Label: Pledis Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "Boys and Girls (feat. Swings)"
  2. "It's ME (feat. Dumbfoundead)"
  3. "Hey Boy (feat. Dok2)"
  4. "Sinister (feat. Bekah)"
  5. "색색의 세계 (Colorful World) (feat. Yoon Do-hyun)"
  6. "Slow"
13

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
[24]
KOR
Hot

[25]
"Come Back, You Bad Person" 2011 17 Come Back, You Bad Person
"It's Me" (featuring Dumbfoundead) 2013 45 51 Who Are You?
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Collaborations

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
Gaon

[26]
"Bad Boy"
(Son Dam-bi featuring Kahi)
2008 Mini Album Vol.1
"One Love"
(Suki featuring Kahi)
2010 29 First Experience
"It's Okay"
(C-Luv featuring Verbal Jint & Kahi)
2013 84 Non-album single
"Runway"
(Chaeyeon featuring Kahi)
2015
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Music videos

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Year Music video Length
2011 "Come Back, You Bad Person" 3:11
2013 "It's Me" 3:51

Writing credits

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  • 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

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Variety shows

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Title Notes
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, Jungah and Nana
Secret
Shin PD's Variety World with After School members
Star Golden Bell
Star King
Strong Heart Eps. 17, 18, 27, 28, 39, 40
Hwasin: Controller of the Heart Episode 6 with G-Dragon, Dae-sung, Kim Kyung-ho & Noh Sa-yeon
Taxi with After School members
Produce 101 Trainer/ Judge
Produce 101 Season 2
Radio Star Episode 534 with Lee Hyori, Chae Ri-na & Narsha
Mama The Idol tvN / Cast Member[27]

TV drama

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Year Title Role
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

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Year Title Role
2014.4 Bonnie And Clyde[28] Bonnie
2014.11 All Shook Up [29] Sandra
2015.9 Cinderella[30] Gabrielle
2015.11 Murder Ballad[31][unreliable source?] Sara
2019.6 City of Angels[32] Alaura Kingsley

Awards

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Years Awards Category Results Ref.
2010 SBS Entertainment Awards New Star Award Won [33]

References

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  1. ^ 가희(박지영) 가수. Naver (in Korean). July 29, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  2. ^ Chung, Ah-young (April 29, 2007). "Korean Group Ranks 2nd in Billboard Chart". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  3. ^ (in Korean) 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.
  4. ^ (in Korean) 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.
  5. ^ (in Korean) 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.
  6. ^ a b (in Korean) 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.
  7. ^ (in Korean) Kim, Yong-seub. '환상적 보디라인' 가희, 도발적 섹시미 발산 ("Fantastic Body Line" Kahi, Radiates Provocative Sexiness) Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine. Sports Seoul. February 11, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  8. ^ (in Korean) 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.
  9. ^ (in Korean) 돌아와 나쁜 너 (EP) Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine. Mnet store listing. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  10. ^ (in Korean) 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.
  11. ^ "Kahi to graduate from After School". Allkpop. June 5, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  12. ^ "AfterSchoolDaze". Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  13. ^ "Kahi announces decision to leave Pledis Entertainment". Soompi. January 18, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  14. ^ Kim Jae-heun (January 25, 2016). "Produce 101, another Mnet tearjerker". The Korea Times. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Bahk Eun-ji (March 15, 2016). "K-pop diva Kahi to marry millionaire". The Korea Times. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  16. ^ Jeong Byung-ki (March 16, 2016). "Singer Kahi to be wed in Hawaii". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  17. ^ Lee Kyung-ho (May 13, 2016). [단독]가희, 임신 3개월 째.."11월 출산 예정" [[Exclusive] Kahi, 3 months pregnant... "due date in November"]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  18. ^ "가희 측 "오늘(3일) 득남, 병원서 안정 취하는 중"". October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  19. ^ "カヒの作品". Oricon News (in Japanese). Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  20. ^ Gaon Album Chart positions:
  21. ^ "Come Back, You Bad Person (돌아와 나쁜 너) at Daum Music" (in Korean). Daum Music. February 14, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  22. ^ "2011년 02월 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  23. ^ "2013년 10월 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  24. ^ Gaon Digital Chart positions:
  25. ^ "Billboard Korea". Billboard (in Korean). Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  26. ^ Gaon Digital Chart positions:
  27. ^ Lee Ho-young (November 24, 2021). "애프터스쿨 가희·원더걸스 선예·쥬얼리 박정아, 아이돌 재데뷔" [After School Kahi, Wonder Girls Sunye, Jewelry Park Jung-ah, idol re-debut] (in Korean). iMBC. Retrieved November 24, 2021 – via Naver.
  28. ^ '보니 앤 클라이드' 엄기준 가희, 도도한 '007룩'
  29. ^ 가희, 섹시미 가득한 팜므파탈(올슉업)
  30. ^ 가희, 뮤지컬 '신데렐라'
  31. ^ Kahi thrills with her steamy kissing scene in musical
  32. ^ 가희 복귀, 뮤지컬 '시티오브엔젤' 캐스팅
  33. ^ Choi, Joon-yong (December 30, 2010). 아이유-조권-민호 등 10명, 첫 신설된 SBS 예능 뉴스타상 수상 [10 people, including IU, Jo Kwon, and Minho, received the first newly established SBS Entertainment New Star Award]. Asiae (in Korean). Retrieved February 5, 2023 – via Naver.
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