Lee Joo-yeon Reflects on After School Days: Memories of Kahi and Pride in Six-Year Journey

Actress Lee Joo-yeon has expressed profound pride in her past stage performances, emphasizing her unique status as the only member who remained with the K-pop group After School from their debut until the conclusion of their activities.

During the recent episode of the SBS variety show 'Running Man,' which aired on the 6th, Lee Joo-yeon appeared as a guest in the 'All-Star Guest Match' alongside comedian Heo Kyung-hwan and (G)I-DLE member Miyeon. As the cast members asked Lee to teach them dance moves or discussed the notorious difficulty of After School's choreography, stories from her idol days naturally surfaced.

When Kim Jong-kook questioned her dance skills, noting that After School was famously known for having extremely difficult choreography, Lee Joo-yeon countered by highlighting her own achievements. She remarked, "Do you know how incredible I was?" She recalled that during her time with After School, she mastered everything from drum performances and tap dancing to pole dancing. "I truly worked myself to death. I am a hard worker," she stated.

Lee's comments touch upon the fact that After School consistently attempted experimental stages that went beyond the typical performance grammar of idol groups at the time. Moving away from simple synchronized group dances, the group built a distinctive image by combining professional skills and artistry, such as drum performances and pole dancing. This process required the members to undergo significant physical training and repetitive practice that went far beyond simply learning choreography.

When Yoo Jae-suk asked about the duration of her activities, Lee answered, "I did it for six years. I am the only member who was there from the very beginning to the very end." Given that After School utilized a unique 'graduation' system where members were constantly added or departed following their debut in 2009, Lee's record as the sole member to span the entire group history remains a unique milestone.

In particular, when Yoo Jae-suk remarked, "I feel like Kahi must have been there from start to finish too," Lee Joo-yeon shared a humorous behind-the-scenes anecdote regarding former member Kahi. "Kahi unnie basically dumped the pole dancing on us before she left," Lee recalled, adding, "We practiced so hard that we were all covered in bruises." Rather than revealing actual conflict, the comment was perceived as a humorous, exaggerated way typical of variety shows to recount the intense preparation for their difficult performances.

After School debuted in 2009 with 'AH!' and built a unique position in the girl group market with hits such as 'Diva,' 'Because of You,' 'Bang!,' and 'Shampoo.' Notably, in the 2010 release 'Bang!,' the members showcased a performance incorporating actual drum playing, and they later expanded the expressive boundaries of idol performances through stages utilizing pole dancing. Their system, predicated on member graduations and new recruitments, was also a highly unusual attempt at the time.

Following her activities with After School, Lee Joo-yeon expanded her career into acting. She has worked across dramas, films, and variety shows, and recently continues to connect with the public by sharing her experiences from her idol days on various programs.

This is precisely why her recent remarks have drawn attention. For Lee Joo-yeon, After School is not merely a past idol career, but a period of training and experience that shaped who she is today. The six years spent mastering drums, tap dancing, and pole dancing on stage serve as the foundation for her describing herself as a "hard worker."