Park Kahi

Park Ji-young, known professionally as Kahi, is a South Korean singer, dancer, actress, and songwriter. Born December 25, 1980, in Daegu, she rose to fame as the leader and main dancer of the pioneering girl group After School, which debuted in 2009 under Pledis Entertainment. Kahi is widely celebrated for her exceptional dance skills, charismatic stage presence, and role in shaping the group's signature sound and concept. After graduating from After School in 2012, she pursued a solo career, releasing the single "Come Back, You Bad Person" and expanding into acting, notably appearing in the drama Dream High 2. Known for her resilience and trailblazing spirit, Kahi remains a respected figure in K-pop, admired for her dedication to her craft and her journey from a self-taught dancer to an industry icon. Her stage name means "grace" in Korean. She stands at 168 cm and has a height of 168 cm and weight of 50 kg. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn, and she is a Protestant Christian.[edit]

Kahi grew up in Daegu, raised primarily by her grandparents. At age 16, she discovered her passion for dancing, but her father disapproved of her career choice. Determined to follow her dream, she ran away from home and worked multiple part-time jobs to support herself, teaching herself to dance without formal training. She attended Sunago High School and later enrolled at Seokyeong University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Theatrical and Film Studies.

In 2000, Kahi began her professional career as a backup dancer, working with major entertainment companies including YG Entertainment, SM Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment. She notably danced for BoA, one of the biggest stars in K-pop at the time. In 2006, she transitioned from dancing to singing, and in 2007 she collaborated with singer Son Dam-bi. After years of perseverance, she was signed by Pledis Entertainment, which groomed her as a performer and eventual leader of a new girl group.[edit]

Kahi formed After School herself and hand-picked several members. The group debuted on January 15, 2009, with the single "New Schoolgirl," featuring five members: Kahi, Bekah, Jungah, Jooyeon, and Soyoung. As leader, lead vocalist, main rapper, main dancer, and center, she became the group's driving force. She also contributed as a songwriter, writing lyrics for After School songs including "When I Fall," "Let's Do It," "With U," and "Someone Is You." She wrote rap lyrics for Suki's "One Love."

In 2011, she launched her solo career with the digital single "Come Back, You Bad Person." She graduated from After School in June 2012 to focus on solo work. That same year, she made her acting debut in the drama Dream High 2, playing a strict teacher. She continued with Pledis until her contract ended in January 2015. She won the New Star Award at the SBS Entertainment Awards in 2010. Since then, she has stepped back from the spotlight, focusing on family life while maintaining a presence on social media.[edit]

Kahi is widely regarded as one of the most charismatic and intelligent female idols in K-pop history. Her public image is built on her reputation as a strict but caring leader, often called the "mother of After School." Fans admire her inspirational backstory of overcoming family opposition and financial hardship. Media portrayals highlight her professionalism, resilience, and passion. The official fandom name for After School is "Play Girlz" / "Play Boyz."[edit]

Park Kahi commands a loyal following primarily through her tenure as the leader of After School, where she cultivated an image of resilience and maternal care that resonates deeply with fans who have watched her career evolve over two decades. While the group shares the official fandom designation "Play Girlz" or "Play Boyz," no distinct, formally named fanbase exists specifically for Kahi herself, nor are there documented records of large-scale, fan-funded campaigns initiated exclusively in her name. Her public presence remains steady through social media updates and recent reality television appearances, where audiences have rallied around her personal narratives rather than organized promotional efforts. In August 2026, the iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluated Park Kahi and determined that she currently holds no placement within the published Global Top 1,000 rankings or any specific scope list. This evaluation reflects her status as a respected veteran figure whose fame is anchored in historical significance and niche legacy rather than current viral dominance. The absence of a numeric rank does not diminish her standing but indicates a lack of the broad, real-time consumption signals required for top-tier global placement. Her influence persists through the enduring popularity of her group's discography and the cultural memory of her leadership during the late 2000s, maintaining a stable profile without the fluctuating metrics seen among active chart-toppers.[edit]

Park Ji-young, known professionally as Kahi, is celebrated for her multifaceted talents, which extend beyond dance to include proficiency in drumming, guitar, and piano. Her journey to stardom was arduous, involving approximately six years of preparation before debuting with After School in 2009. Often described as a mother figure by her bandmates, she led the group with a strict yet caring demeanor, earning nicknames such as "Red Captain," "Sleep Gahee," and "Gahee teacher." A persistent story among fans recounts how she defied parental wishes and left home comfort to pursue her dream, eventually facing agency scrutiny when members were caught secretly dating, leading to phone confiscations by management. Her legacy includes significant milestones like marrying CEO Yang Joon Moo in Hawaii in March 2016 after a brief courtship. More recently, she gained attention for her candid revelations regarding childhood domestic violence in June 2025, reshaping her public image from a cool leader to a survivor sharing her pain. These moments, alongside her emotional appearance on *Mama the Idol*, have cemented her reputation as a resilient icon who balances family life with artistic expression.[edit]

Kahi was raised by her grandparents in Daegu. Her father initially disapproved of her career in dance, but she later reconciled with her family. She married businessman Yang Joon-mu in 2016, and the couple has two children together. Kahi often shares updates about her family on social media, and she is known to be a devoted mother. The family resides in South Korea.[edit]

Kahi worked as a backup dancer for BoA early in her career and collaborated with Son Dam-bi in 2007. She is closely associated with the members of After School, including Jungah, Jooyeon, Bekah, Soyoung, Uee, Raina, Nana, Lizzy, E-Young, and Kaeun. Her husband is businessman Yang Joon-mu. [edit]

Kahi married businessman Yang Joon-mu in 2016. The couple has two children together. They have maintained a relatively private relationship, with Kahi occasionally sharing family moments on social media. There are no publicly confirmed romantic relationships prior to her marriage in credible sources. As of 2026, Kahi remains married to Yang Joon-mu.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Park Kahi's net worth at $2 Million as of 2026. This valuation accounts for her extensive income streams throughout her active career, including music sales and streaming royalties generated by After School and her solo releases. Additional revenue sources encompassed variety show appearances, acting roles in productions such as *Dream High 2*, and various endorsement deals secured during her peak years. Following her retirement from the mainstream entertainment industry, her financial focus has shifted toward managing her family life and business ventures. No recent financial disclosures are available to refine this figure, so the total stands as an approximation based on her documented career earnings and industry standards.[edit]

Kahi won the New Star Award at the SBS Entertainment Awards in 2010 for her variety show appearances. No other individual awards are documented. [edit]