Kahi
{{Short description|South Korean singer (born 1980)}}
{{other uses}}
{{Family name hatnote|Park|lang=Korean}}
{{unreliable sources|date=January 2021|Multiple unreliable sources, specifically from Soompi and Allkpop}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kahi
| image = Kahi in February 2024.png
| image_upright =
| caption = Park in February 2024
| birth_name = Park Ji-young
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|12|25}}
| birth_place = Daegu, South Korea
| death_date =
| spouse = Yang Joon-mu ({{abbr|m.|married}} 2016)
| children = 2
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|dancer|actress|songwriter}}
| agent =
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| genre = K-pop
| years_active = 2000–present
| label = Pledis
| past_member_of = {{hlist|After School|M.M.D}}
| website = [http://www.bonbooent.com/artists/Kahi/profile.html Official Profile Page]
}}
{{Infobox Korean name/auto
| child = yes
| hangul = %박지영
| hanja = 朴祉映
| hangulstage = %_가희
| hanjastage = 嘉熙
}}
}}
Park Ji-young ({{Korean|hangul=박지영}}; 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.{{cite web|script-title=ko:가희(박지영) 가수|url=http://people.search.naver.com/search.naver?sm=tab_txc&where=people_profile&ie=utf8&query=%EA%B0%80%ED%9D%AC&os=174175|work=Naver|language=ko|date=July 29, 2011|access-date=August 3, 2011}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=Per WP:KO/RS#UR|date=February 2025}} 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|date = January 2016}}
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, 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.{{cite news|title=Korean Group Ranks 2nd in Billboard Chart|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/04/143_1998.html|newspaper=The Korea Times|last=Chung|first=Ah-young|date=April 29, 2007|access-date=July 21, 2010|archive-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209074320/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/04/143_1998.html|url-status=live}} However, due to various reasons, the band soon disbanded.
=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.{{in lang|ko}} Park, Yeong-ju. [http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=201006039421k&sid=0107&nid=007<ype=1 After School, 가희 솔로설에 네티즌 "가희, 졸업하나?" (After School's Kahi Debuts Solo; Netizens Ask, "Kahi, Are You Graduating?")] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323221158/http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=201006039421k&sid=0107&nid=007<ype=1 |date=March 23, 2012 }}. Korea Economic Daily. June 3, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2011. In 2010, Kahi joined the cast of reality-variety series Yeongunghogeol ({{lang|ko|영웅호걸}}, "Heroes").{{in lang|ko}} Lee, Mi-hye. [http://sports.khan.co.kr/news/sk_index.html?art_id=201007052014113&sec_id=540101 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{{in lang|ko}} Kim, Won-gyeon. [http://news.donga.com/Culture/Music/3/0710/20110209/34677755/3 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.{{in lang|ko}} [http://stoo.asiae.co.kr/news/stview.htm?idxno=2011021208475851225 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",{{in lang|ko}} Kim, Yong-seub. [http://news.sportsseoul.com/read/entertain/918129.htm '환상적 보디라인' 가희, 도발적 섹시미 발산 ("Fantastic Body Line" Kahi, Radiates Provocative Sexiness)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716121905/http://news.sportsseoul.com/read/entertain/918129.htm |date=July 16, 2011}}. 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.{{in lang|ko}} [http://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2011021118020030181&type= 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 mini-album was then released on February 14, 2011.{{in lang|ko}} [http://music.mnet.com/ArtistAlbum/AlbumInfo.asp?AlbumID=213759&AlbumView=Y 돌아와 나쁜 너 (EP)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714104650/http://music.mnet.com/ArtistAlbum/AlbumInfo.asp?AlbumID=213759&AlbumView=Y |date=July 14, 2011}}. 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.{{in lang|ko}} Kim, Won-gyeon. [http://sports.donga.com/3/all/20110213/34790716/3 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=
File:Park Kahi from acrofan.jpg
In June 2012, it was announced Kahi would be leaving After School to pursue a solo singing and acting career.{{cite web|title=Kahi to graduate from After School|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2012/06/kahi-to-graduate-from-after-school|publisher=Allkpop|date=June 5, 2012|access-date=February 16, 2014}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=Per WP:KO/RS#UR|date=February 2025}} In March 2013, Kahi was rumoured to be having a solo comeback, but it was put on hold.{{Cite web|title=AfterSchoolDaze|url=http://afterschooldaze.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/rumorinfo-kahi-to-make-a-comeback-on-march/|access-date=January 15, 2016|archive-date=November 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112012901/http://afterschooldaze.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/rumorinfo-kahi-to-make-a-comeback-on-march/|url-status=dead}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=Per WP:UCG|date=February 2025}} 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.{{cite web|title=Kahi announces decision to leave Pledis Entertainment|url=https://www.soompi.com/2015/01/18/kahi-announces-decision-to-leave-pledis-entertainment/|work=Soompi|date=January 18, 2015|access-date=February 13, 2017|archive-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908065149/https://www.soompi.com/2015/01/18/kahi-announces-decision-to-leave-pledis-entertainment/|url-status=dead}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=Per WP:KO/RS#UR|date=February 2025}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Produce 101, another Mnet tearjerker|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2016/01/201_196310.html|work=The Korea Times|last=Kim|first=Jae-heun|date=January 25, 2016|access-date=April 12, 2016}} In June 2018, she also became a one-day dance trainer/judge for Produce 48.
Personal life
On March 26, 2016, Kahi married entrepreneur Yang Jun-mu (CEO of Incase Korea) in a private ceremony in Hawaii.{{Cite web|title=K-pop diva Kahi to marry millionaire|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2016/03/201_200397.html|work=The Korea Times|last=Bahk|first=Eun-ji|date=March 15, 2016|access-date=April 12, 2016}}{{Cite web|title=Singer Kahi to be wed in Hawaii|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=3016216|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|last=Jeong|first=Byung-ki|date=March 16, 2016|access-date=April 12, 2016}} In May 2016, Kahi announced that she and her husband were expecting their first child.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:[단독]가희, 임신 3개월 째.."11월 출산 예정"|trans-title=[Exclusive] Kahi, 3 months pregnant... "due date in November"|url=http://entertain.naver.com/ranking/read?oid=108&aid=0002525165|work=Star News|language=ko|last=Lee|first=Kyung-ho|date=May 13, 2016|access-date=June 4, 2016}} On October 3, Kahi gave birth to a son, Yang No-ah. Their second son, Yang Si-on, was born on June 16, 2018.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:가희 측 "오늘(3일) 득남, 병원서 안정 취하는 중"|url=http://news1.kr/articles/?2790669|date=October 3, 2016|access-date=October 4, 2016}}
Discography
{{See also|After School discography}}{{Infobox artist discography
| Artist = Kahi
| Image =
| landscape =
| Caption =
| Alt =
| Studio =
| EP = 2
| Singles = 2
| Live =
| Compilation = 1
| Tribute =
| Soundtrack =
| Video =
| Music videos = 2
| Option = 3
| Option name = Collaborations
}}
=Compilation albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| rowspan="2" style="width:12em" | Title
! rowspan="2" | Album details ! Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" style="width:10em" | Sales |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | JPN {{cite web|title=カヒの作品|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/545792/products/|website=Oricon News|language=ja|access-date=June 17, 2022}} |
| scope="row" | Who Are You? & Come Back You Bad Person
|
{{hidden|Track listing | CD
DVD
| 201 |
|
=Extended plays=
=Singles=
=Collaborations=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| rowspan="2" | Title
! rowspan="2" | Year ! colspan="1" | Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" | Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | KOR Gaon Gaon Digital Chart positions:
|
| scope="row" | "Bad Boy" {{small|(Son Dam-bi featuring Kahi)}} | 2008 | — | Mini Album Vol.1 |
| scope="row" | "One Love" {{small|(Suki featuring Kahi)}} | 2010 | 29 | First Experience |
| scope="row" | "It's Okay" {{small|(C-Luv featuring Verbal Jint & Kahi)}} | 2013 | 84 | rowspan="2" {{N/A|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Runway" {{small|(Chaeyeon featuring Kahi)}} | 2015 | — |
| colspan="4" | {{small|"—" denotes releases that did not chart.}} |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable" |
| scope="col" | Year
! Music video ! Length |
|---|
| 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=
=TV drama=
| class="wikitable" border="1" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role |
|---|
| 2009
| Guest role |
| 2012
| Hyun Ji Soo |
| 2013
| Because We Haven't Broken Up Yet | Shim Jae Hee |
Musical
| class="wikitable" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role |
|---|
| 2014.4
| [https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=008&aid=0003246619 Bonnie And Clyde][https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=008&aid=0003246619 '보니 앤 클라이드' 엄기준 가희, 도도한 '007룩'] | Bonnie |
| 2014.11
| [https://tenasia.hankyung.com/photo/article/2014120956274 All Shook Up] [https://tenasia.hankyung.com/photo/article/2014120956274 가희], 섹시미 가득한 팜므파탈({{lang|ko|올슉업}}) | Sandra |
| 2015.9
| [https://www.hankyung.com/entertainment/article/2015092441434 Cinderella][https://www.hankyung.com/entertainment/article/2015092441434 가희, 뮤지컬 '신데렐라'] | Gabrielle |
| 2015.11
| [http://dkpopnews.fooyoh.com/2015/11/kahi-thrills-with-her-steamy-kissing.html Murder Ballad][http://dkpopnews.fooyoh.com/2015/11/kahi-thrills-with-her-steamy-kissing.html Kahi thrills with her steamy kissing scene in musical]{{Unreliable source?|date=July 2021}} | Sara |
| 2019.6
| [https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=417&aid=0000418053 City of Angels][http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=417&aid=0000418053 가희 복귀, 뮤지컬 '시티오브엔젤' 캐스팅] | Alaura Kingsley |
Awards
| class="wikitable" border="1" |
| Years
! Awards ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Results ! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| style="text-align:center" | 2010
| New Star Award | {{won}} | style="text-align:center" | {{cite news|script-title=ko:아이유-조권-민호 등 10명, 첫 신설된 SBS 예능 뉴스타상 수상|trans-title=10 people, including IU, Jo Kwon, and Minho, received the first newly established SBS Entertainment New Star Award|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/277/0002521730|via=Naver|work=The Asia Business Daily|language=ko|last=Choi|first=Joon-yong|date=December 30, 2010|access-date=February 5, 2023}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Kahi}}
- Kahi on [https://www.instagram.com/kahi_korea/ Instagrm]
- {{Twitter}}
- {{HanCinema person}}
{{After School}}
{{Pledis Entertainment}}
{{Produce 101}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:After School (band) members
Category:South Korean female idols
Category:South Korean dance musicians
Category:South Korean women pop singers
Category:South Korean television actresses
Category:South Korean musical theatre actresses
Category:Pledis Entertainment artists
Category:Seokyeong University alumni
Category:21st-century South Korean singers