omonatheydid | Competition is intense among After School members

xcherryblossomx.livejournal.com posting in

After School is a pretty unique group among the other groups in the K-pop scene at the moment. Unlike the other groups who have a fixed number of members, After School adopts a school system where one could graduate, so there's much freedom.

When After School made their debut in January 2009, they were a 5-member group. UEE then joined After School in April 2009, making it a 6-member group. Soyoung then left in November, with Nana and Raina joining in to become a 7-member group.

▲ Have to split up into 3 sub groups

The addition of a new member means that they would also need to increase the number of makeup artist, manager, etc.

During their Diva promotions, they only needed a 12-seater vehicle. But with 7 members now, they require 2 vehicles. Their headcount for every performance now total 15 people, 7 After School members, 3 makeup artistes, 3 managers, and 2 -3 stylists.

One of their managers said, "We have to do a headcount everytime we board the bus. When it gets really busy backstage, we also have to line up the members and do a headcount. It's no joke when it gets to meal times."

And in order to keep up with their busy schedules, the members have to split up and head for 3 different beauty salons in Gangnam.

With all 7 members living under the same roof, there are specific rules to adhere to.

For example, it's really sensitive when it comes to using the washroom. Usually the unnie members will get priority, before it filters down to who has an earlier schedule, etc.

▲ Intense competition among members

Competition has been ramped up a notch with the increase in members. "It would be a lie if we were to say that there's no rivalry between us. Everyone wants to be in the middle or sing a few more lines". (Juyeon)

Promotions for their new song, Because of You has been pretty intense as one Pledis Entertainment staff revealed, "It's really tiring having to coordinate stuff with them because of the intense competition among each member. In order to not alienate or hurt anyone, we have to consider many things delicately, like for example where they stand during their dance chereography, song distribution, etc in order to be fair.

With the intense competition, practice time has also been lengthened because of that. "There's not a moment to lose really. Other than sleeping time, the rest would be devoted to rehearsing. Starting from 3 in the afternoon, the members would be repeating their routines over and over again which stretches to 6 the next morning." (Kahi)

With so many girl groups in the scene now, After School has something that most of them do not have and that is their height. With an average height of 1.7m, the After School members are able to engage in difficult dance routines.

"We aren't the most pretty or fairy-lookalike group. I often sigh to myself how can we be as pretty as them when we see the other groups." (Bekah)

Source: Joins Translation by: coolsmurf @ Allkpop