After School set for comeback with new member

Korean girl band After School will make a comeback with a new member and single later this month, according to their agency on Friday.

"Along with the release of a new single at the end of November, there will be a new member joining the existing members," PLEDIS announced in a press release. The agency described the new member, who was one of the trainees, as a "secret weapon" with strong vocals and rapping skills.

The group allows its members to come and go, calling it "admission" and "graduation" in reference to their group name. For example, member "Uee" was introduced as a "freshman" in April while another member So-young officially graduated from the group last month due to reasons of health.

The members are also permitted to branch out to television commercials, modeling and acting.

More details about their comeback will be released on the agency website (pledis.co.kr) and official fan club site (http://cafe.daum.net/PlaygirlzAS). Their second single will be released, both online and off, on November 25.

After School made their debut in January 2009 with the dance tune "A-HA".

Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr