Photo credit: www.news18.com
Last Updated: February 22, 2025, 09:27 IST
After School singer Kahi shares her journey of overcoming personal struggles post-group.
Kahi got married in 2016 and moved to Bali, where she lived for five years. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Kahi, known for her role in the renowned K-pop ensemble After School, recently reflected on the hardships she faced after exiting the group. Beginning her career as a dancer in 1999, it wasn’t until many years later that she achieved her dream of debuting as a singer. Although she gained recognition and a loyal fanbase, Kahi ultimately decided to leave the group, embarking on a solo career. In 2016, she married and relocated to Bali, spending five years there before returning to South Korea last year. In a candid discussion about her experiences, Kahi revealed feelings of despair and abandonment from her former agency, which contributed to her hitting “rock bottom.” However, through perseverance and self-reflection, she gradually reclaimed control over her life, leading to personal growth and stability.
In an appearance on CGN’s YouTube channel, Kahi openly expressed her struggles: “I’ve done everything I can. I got drunk. I cried alone. This wandering, loneliness, depression and feeling something was so hard for me at that time. I just cried. I quit asking and really hit rock bottom. It was so miserable that even my company couldn’t take care of me, and I really suffered from financial difficulties. I felt that I had to live a religious life with a sense of responsibility. As I started to earn money and live as a person of God with a sense of responsibility, I became a person whose sins gradually improved. My life began to change a lot.”
Kahi further elaborated on the transformation she experienced, particularly after becoming a mother: “When I was an idol, I really had to work hard to receive love, work hard, receive attention and be recognized. I worked like crazy for that. But after I had a child, I’ve let go of everything and changed my focus entirely to my family, so this isn’t hard at all. Just looking at them makes me so happy and so thankful. The world is beautiful,” she said.
Reflecting on her past, Kahi described the relentless pace of her life during her time with After School. She traveled extensively for events and often endured grueling schedules, sometimes managing as little as 40 minutes of sleep in a dormitory before her next commitment. She began her career in dance, sharing the stage with esteemed performers such as Oh Ji-hyun, Lexy, Kim Hyun-jung, and BoA. These role models inspired her to pursue singing, prompting a significant shift in her career path. Although many assume she seamlessly transitioned into the group, Kahi faced numerous hurdles and a period of absence from the industry that left her feeling adrift.
Eventually, Kahi received an opportunity from a company and dedicated three years to prove herself before finally joining After School, which she regarded as the moment she had eagerly anticipated for a decade. Despite their success, Kahi chose to leave the group for a solo career, leading to her marriage and motherhood—transformative experiences she likens to a cinematic journey.
Alongside Kahi, After School featured members Jungahm, Uee, Nana, Jooyeon, Bekah, Soyoung, Raina, E-Young, Lizzy, and Kaeun.
Source
www.news18.com