[DISCUSSION] Potential Next Leader

Thanks both Adam and OKDR for expressing your opinions and trying to keep it cordial  It's definitely not easy when it comes to your biases, but thanks for trying to be objective and to see each other's point of view. 

It can also be easy to overgeneralise, so specific examples will always help. Still, what we see will always be filtered through the interviews and the images we have of the girls through their variety and other appearances.

In saying who we think could be the next potential leader, we often also have to say who we think shouldn't be. Overall I think it's important to bear in mind that every single leader will have their areas of strengths and weaknesses, and it will be very much tied to how we perceive what's best for the group at the time.

Right now, for example, we would probably need someone who can tie the different generations of After School together -- senior enough to be respected by the seniors, but caring enough so that the juniors don't feel neglected or afraid to approach the leader. We also need someone who can ideally project the image of After School to the public. Somehow After School just doesn't seem to be having that break through they need. They're reasonably popular, with plenty of endorsement deals, but they need a truly unique concept to grab everyone again. The leader should probably be someone who isn't afraid to try something entirely new and unconventional.

OKDR wrote:I am not the usual fangirl material that can deal with anything from the idols they like. If I find something wrong I say it, or if I think it could be different.

@OKDR Me too, while I'm finding that we have a lot of opposing views we also have a lot of similarities  

OKDR wrote:When Bekah left and Kahi got all her rap parts, fans were the ones to bring up that matter, it was later said she had requested to keep the lines, because Bekah's graduation really affected her and she didn't want anyone else to have those. However, even respecting her will for that, I wasn't the only one commenting on the fact she didn't fit those lines quite well.

I don't trust what fans say until they provide actual evidence. I've been in a lot of debates with fans and most(if not all) try to assert their opinions as facts. I agree that Kahi doesn't fit Bekah's lines very well but I also think no one currently in AS fits Bekah's lines very well. Maybe if Lime was in After School she can do Bekah's lines.....I don't know

OKDR wrote:Jung Ah's troubles with her being sick had been often mentioned on interviews. Her voice cracking, it happened during DIVAs performances back in the day when she reaches the highest note......

Like I've said I have no problems with Raina taking Jung Ah's part if Jung Ah has health problems or her health is at risk from her performing those parts. I prefer to see them lip sync than have Raina take Jung Ah's part. As long as the lip syncing is done well I have no problems with it. All I'm looking for is an entertaining performance. If they feel like they need to lip sync then let it be. I don't care if that can sing live and dance at the same time.

OKDR wrote:And I am leaving this here because, obviously we will never think the same. You liked the fact Kahi not only teached them and was stricth with them but also got all those singing parts. I like the fact that when she left, I got to finally listen more some of the members who do have potentially good vocals. Jung Ah may be too soft, but sometimes I rather whatch a non-perfect matched dance routine but a lively group that's sharing responsabilities.

Don't be discouraged from these discussions just because I don't agree with your views. I'm pretty sure most fans support your views more than my views. I believe most fans still haven't gotten pass the Orange Caramel image Pledis created for Raina so I don't think very much people are going to agree with my opinion about Raina. I do like the fact that Kahi was a strict teacher. The fact that she's not willing to let mistakes slip is necessary for the quality performances After School are well known for. I do support Kahi taking Bekah's parts if Kahi feels she's the perfect person for them but like I've said and demonstrated, Kahi doesn't hog all Bekah's parts. Bekah's parts are distributed among the other members as well.

After Kahi's graduation the newest members(i.e. E-young and Kaeun) still haven't impressed me with their vocals yet and Kaeun is suppose to have the greatest vocal ability among the trainees. Within the same amount of time Kaeun has been in After School. I've already seen Lizzy(who's not really known for her vocals) out stage Raina in vocal proficiency. I know most people(mostly new fans or Raina fans) aren't going to agree with me but there are performances where Lizzy has clearly out staged Raina and if people are going to challenge me on it I can easily prove it.

I'm not exactly a fan of perfection either. I like seeing Soyoung kick her shoe across the stage in that Ah performance, Bekah and Kahi dropping their drum stick for Let Do It performances and Lizzy messing up dance routines but I think those last few Flash Back performances would make people question whether After School can actually dance.

Jayden wrote:Right now, for example, we would probably need someone who can tie the different generations of After School together -- senior enough to be respected by the seniors, but caring enough so that the juniors don't feel neglected or afraid to approach the leader. We also need someone who can ideally project the image of After School to the public. Somehow After School just doesn't seem to be having that break through they need. They're reasonably popular, with plenty of endorsement deals, but they need a truly unique concept to grab everyone again. The leader should probably be someone who isn't afraid to try something entirely new and unconventional.

I want to see hip hop Raina lead After School as a rapper(hmmm.... but who's going to take over as the main vocalist?) and After School comeback with a hip hop concept. I think this drastic contract between Raina's fierce rapper image and the cute OC image will definitely grab the Kpop world's attention. I've seen Raina try to promote her rapping many times on shows and interviews throughout the years (getting kind of sick of hearing Run It and yes Chris Brown is a douchebag) and I think if people are willing to let her develop her rapping I think she'll do a very good job. Hidden inside Raina there's a rapper struggling to break out. I think it's time Playgirlz/Playboyz recognize Raina's many potentials. I also want to see Raina's piano skills promoted. I like hearing the piano in rock/pop songs. Seeing E-young on the electric guitar, Raina on the piano and another member on the drums in a band would be awesome and a great way to help promote After School. Under Raina's leadership and encouragement from fans I can see all this happening. I think Raina has the smarts and ambition to achieve all this. The only things holding her back is her Orange Caramel image, fans and Pledis.



Oh.... and the name Raina means to give strength... very befitting for a leader don't you think? Raina is more than that cute little girl people what to hug and take care off. Raina is strong like her voice and I'm very sure she can take care of herself as well as After School.

Nah I am not discouraged because, at the end of the day, Pledis keeps doing what they feel like XD

E-Young has vocal material, but she's kind of gone backwards ever since enetering the group? She sounded promising in Wonder Boy, but with the performances of First Love, she sounded too unstable. Not taking the part she sung on top of the pole as reference, she seems too shy. Her pre-debut performance of Work It Out was pitchy and lacked some smoothness and feel, yet she showed she does have or had a voice to work with.

Kaeun does sound more estable, I like her raps too. But well, Lime went to HV and she was probably on line to become AS' next rapper.

Her or Nicole, but Nicole was a bit problematic. I am not saying this out of fans speculations but because of her tweets and attitude on those. She reacted so badly when she wasn't picked up for HV, yet she did it again when Kaeun was put into AS. It seems she was next on line but the group wanted someone with a better skill on Japanese so they chose Kaeun instead. She went bersek afterwards and left the company.

The thing is, we don't get to know that much about the other trainees. Kyungmin seems to have a good enough voice, but we don't really know where she went or if she's still a trainee.

Raina has rap skills but if she raps, then we need another main, as it's been said, and while I trust Lizzy, maybe she wouldn't fit the role. I don't know because the only real main I've seen her do was in a cover OC did of an English song that I've already forgot, and she was the one not only getting the English better but also sounding more estable among them 3.

And probably what the group also needs now is another skilled dancer who's able to watch out for their routine troubles.

But even with that, the trouble doesn't just reside on having a great concept that can captivate the viewers. Viewers weren't that much in bad terms with Flashback or even the pole dancing concept, but in order for those to win something, they need some continuity.

When their first mutizens (and only mutizens) came, it was after 9 months of them promoting different music. Audiences were more familiar with them, even having added 3 different members ever since AH! and losing So Young. So they could be more for rooting them on those TV shows.

The sells for them aren't bad either, but when it comes to prizes, there's more support needed.

Notice how most of the girl groups who'd been winning lately (Crayon Pop aside), have been coming back often. AoA just won today, even SPICA could win sometime next week, and K-netizens and media often say they are so much underrated.

Taking out CP because they trully had a summer hit that took a month to rise, but now they will forever feel that pressure of living up to the Bar Bar Bar concept standards. They literally went from not having enough TV time and performing on the streets, to be everywhere and winning trophys. Chrome surely has a huge challenge for their upcoming come back.

AS does needs that much of coming back every 3 months, or trying follow up songs like the rookies of Pledis did last year, to get themselves better exposed out there.

Right now, aside from keeping the harmony among the members, I do believe they need a leader ready to fight for that. They do have promotions all year long performing overseas and such, but not music releases on their own country.

OKDR wrote:When their first mutizens (and only mutizens) came, it was after 9 months of them promoting different music. Audiences were more familiar with them, even having added 3 different members ever since AH! and losing So Young. So they could be more for rooting them on those TV shows.

The sells for them aren't bad either, but when it comes to prizes, there's more support needed.

Notice how most of the girl groups who'd been winning lately (Crayon Pop aside), have been coming back often. AoA just won today, even SPICA could win sometime next week, and K-netizens and media often say they are so much underrated.

......

AS does needs that much of coming back every 3 months, or trying follow up songs like the rookies of Pledis did last year, to get themselves better exposed out there.

Right now, aside from keeping the harmony among the members, I do believe they need a leader ready to fight for that. They do have promotions all year long performing overseas and such, but not music releases on their own country.

I agree, the frustrating thing for me is that I'm not a fan of their Japanese work but their Japanese promotions seems to be so successful. Pledis' joint venture with YUEHUA probably means we'll being seeing less Korean comebacks in the future but from the tens of millions of views I've heard they've been getting on YinYueTai, it sounds like they'll do very well in China. I'm not a mandopop fan so I feel like I'm left in a pretty crappy position. There doesn't seem to be much of a market in Korea for them anymore.

I was disappointed when Juyeon said she wanted to earn more money by staying in Japan more doing Japanese activities but she did mention she wanted to do a concept where they can wear sneakers onstage and Jung Ah did mention she prefer doing the old AS songs like Diva and Ah oppose to the newer AS songs if the opportunity comes so I'm happy that at least After School still remember the fans that were calling for concepts like their earlier days.

Looking at their Japanese promotion and the comments from some fans it appears a majority of the fans really like the Japanese promotions, a lot of fans don't like their earlier Korean concepts and some just prefer all their Japanese songs over their Korean ones. If that really is the case then I don't blame Pledis or After School for wanting to promote in Japan more.

I want After School to have frequent Korean comebacks too but it's the support of the fans that's required to make it happen not just the leader. A suggestion was made to create Korean versions of their Japanese songs for their comebacks. I guess in theory if their Korean songs are similar to their Japanese ones then the current fandom will have more incentive to support After School Korean promotions. That sounds like it'll work.....I thought it was bad enough that After School is having one Korean comeback a year but now people are proposing to taint that Korean comeback with their Japanese material.   

Guys, is there some sort of conspiracy to turn After School into a full Japanese band that I'm not aware of? I'm kind of feeling like I'm being slowly pushed out of the fandom (fair enough, I did lash out at the fandom pretty badly when I got frustrated over the lack of support from the fandom for Kahi's comeback) but I guess it can't be helped with the way the current fandom is. Most of the people who share similar interests to me are now ex-fans congregating at the old AS videos and I guess most of the people who think of Kahi as highly as me are also there.

@OKDR, I think Raina is ready for that fight you mentioned. If you review videos and interviews of her throughout these years I think you'll see that's she's very strong headed and very ambitious. But even if she does become the leader I think this fandom is going to be what will hold her back.

I think something else to consider is live performances. Usually the leader takes a center role in dance formations. Kahi obviously took this role, and Jungah has followed suit. I don't see Raina adopting this position at all really. To be honest, only Nana & Uee could realistically take this commanding role in formations and AS is FAR MORE a dance/performance group than a singing group.

Kahi is the toughest act to follow because she wore so many hats, and in a way Jungah is too because she is a strong singer AND dancer, and gave her own compassionate, Omma spin to leading. I like Raina but if she does end up becoming leader I think the role will change entirely.

We'll see I guess!

K-kitsune wrote:I think something else to consider is live performances. Usually the leader takes a center role in dance formations. Kahi obviously took this role, and Jungah has followed suit. I don't see Raina adopting this position at all really. To be honest, only Nana & Uee could realistically take this commanding role in formations and AS is FAR MORE a dance/performance group than a singing group.

Kahi is the toughest act to follow because she wore so many hats, and in a way Jungah is too because she is a strong singer AND dancer, and gave her own compassionate, Omma spin to leading. I like Raina but if she does end up becoming leader I think the role will change entirely.

We'll see I guess!

I agree the leader usually does take the center role in dance formations and I do see Kahi at the center of the dance formations a lot but I also see someone 2nd to Kahi at the center of those dance formations and I think a majority of this fandom has been under estimating her for a long time.

I've selected random BoY, Bang, Shampoo and Flash Back MV to demonstrated my point.

The following times for the videos are the amount of time the member appear at the center of the dance formation or is at the front with the focus. Some of the camera angle make it had to see who's at the center sometimes so there maybe some inaccuracies but I think a majority of it is correct.


0:12 to 1:11 Kahi 59 seconds.
1:11 to 1:41 Raina 30 seconds.
1:41 to 1:48 Uee 7 seconds.
1:48 to 1:56 Juyeon 8 seconds.
1:56 to 2:12 Kahi 6 seconds.
2:12 to 2:27 Bekah 15 seconds.
2:27 to 3:06 Uee 29. This was very annoying. Uee was at the center of the formation but for a majority of the time Raina was singing but the camera still films Uee and I didn't like the expressions on Uee's face.
3:06 to 3:12 Nana 6 seconds.
3:12 to 3:28 Jung Ah 14 seconds.
3:28 to 3:57 Raina 29 seconds.
3:58 to 4:01 Kahi 3 seconds.
For this performance #1 Kahi with 68 secs, #2 Raina with 59 secs and #3 Uee.



0:00 to 0:26 Kahi 26 seconds.
0:26 to 0:30 Rain 4 seconds.
0:30 to 0:34 Nana + Lizzy 4 seconds.
0:34 to 0:38 Jung Ah 4 seconds.
0:38 to 1:06 Juyeon 28 seconds.
1:06 to 1:10 Kahi 4 seconds.
1:10 to 1:14 Nana + Lizzy 4 seconds.
1:14 to 1:25 Jung Ah 11 seconds.
1:25 to 1:30 Kahi + Jung Ah 5 seconds.
1:30 to 1:50 Bekah 20 seconds.
1:50 to 1:57 Kahi 7 seconds.
1:57 to 2:06 Raina 9 seconds.
2:06 to 2:13 Kahi 7 seconds.
2:13 to 2:33 Raina 20 seconds.
2:33 to 2:40 Kahi + Nana 7 seconds.
2:40 to 3:01 Kahi 21 seconds.

Uee was not at this performance but when shes does do the live Bang performance she doesn't sing much anyway. Uee's part is taken over by Nana and Lizzy near the start.

For this performance #1 Kahi 77 seconds, #2 Rain 33 seconds, #3 Juyeon with 28 seconds.



0:00 to 0:23 Uee 23 seconds.
0:23 to 0:31 Nana 8 seconds.
0:31 to 0:37 E-young 6 seconds.
0:37 to 0:45 Uee 8 seconds.
0:45 to 0:52 Bekah 7 seconds.
0:52 to 1:00 Raina 8 seconds.
1:00 to 1:016 Jung Ah 16 seconds.
1:16 to 1:23 Juyeon 7 seconds.
1:23 to 1:31 Nana 8 seconds.
1:31 to 1:38 Bekah 7 seconds.
1:38 to 1:45 Lizzy 7 seconds.
1:45 to 1:53 Jung Ah 8 seconds.
1:53 to 2:10 Raina 7 seconds.
2:10 to 2:23 Jung Ah 13 seconds.
2:23 to 2:31 Kahi 8 seconds.
2:31 to 2:39 Uee 8 seconds.
2:39 to 3:09 Raina 30 seconds.
3:09 to 3:27 Kahi 18 seconds.
For this performance #1 Raina 45 seconds, #2 Uee 39 seconds, #3 Jung Ah 37 seconds



0:00 to 0:07 Nana 7 seconds.
0:07 to 0:14 Lizzy 7 seconds.
0:14 to 0:22 Nana 8 seconds.
0:22 to 0:30 Raina 8 seconds.
0:30 to 0:37 Uee 7 seconds.
0:37 to 0:45 Jung Ah 8 seconds.
0:45 to 0:52 Nana 7 seconds.
0:52 to 1:03 Raina 11 seconds.
1:03 to 1:07 Uee 4 seconds.
1:07 to 1:10 Juyeon 3 seconds.
1:10 to 1:15 Kaeun 5 seconds.
1:15 to 1:26 Jung Ah 11 seconds.
1:26 to 1:32 Juyeon 6 seconds.
1:32 to 1:38 E-young 6 seconds.
1:38 to 1:51 Jung Ah 13 seconds.
1:51 to 2:02 Lizzy 11 seconds.
2:02 to 2:10 Raina 8 seconds.
2:10 to 2:17 Nana 7 seconds.
2:17 to 2:46 Jung Ah 19 seconds.
2:46 to 3:07 Raina 21 seconds.
3:07 to 3:13 Kaeun 6 seconds.
For this performance #1 Raina 48 seconds, #2 Jung Ah 38 seconds, #3 Nana 29 seconds.


As you can see Raina has been more at the center of dance formations a lot more than the other current members and my impression is that she's 2nd to Kahi. As for whether Raina actually will become the leader after Jung Ah? Who knows. I'm very fond of Jung Ah even if I don't think much of her leadership skill and I don't want to see her graduate for a long time.

I wouldn't be annoyed if the center role went to someone who wasn't the leader. Some groups can work that out. Like having a dance lead the same you have a vocal lead.
However, Raina's dance skills aren't that bad either.


For Japanese promotions. It's tricky. AVEX is one of the labels that makes their signed acts to fullfill their contracts. Usually releases are planned in those contracts, that's why most acts get dropped after having released all the stuff planned and people get confused because you have them releasing one day, disbanding the next. Others who want to leave to become indie or switch labels also need to do that.

Sony quite works similar, but I've seen Sony cancel and delay more single releases than AVEX does.

Whenever a Japanese label drops a BEST/GH for an act who doesn't currently get top5 or top10, you can start fearing for its deal to expire soon.

AS still may get a renewal, thought, because despite not expanding their niche from top10 (mostly #7 always with their last releases), they still do good enough for the half-arsed promos they do (believe me, they hardly promote there compared to what other J-Pop acts, popular and non-popular do). I've seen some improvement on this last release thought, choosing shows were really popular acts like The Second or AKB48 members went. That's better than the last 2 releases, the best show for them to be exposed I remember now was Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Camp. I still want to see them do a Music Station some day.

I am opposed to translating songs into one language or another. If they did actually arrange the songs, I would have no troubles with it, but they don't. Yet, Rip OFF was quite good because Jung Ah re-did the lyrics, Bang! fit because they changed the rhythm of the instrumental, DIVA... it could been done better. I had nothing against them tuning down the hyped Korean beat, because the J-Pop market is different, but the whole image, I think the only I liked were the tu-tus and I don't believe those matched the song either.

I don't dislike their last productions, I actually loved Flashback how it was, I love even more the whole album for First Love, yet the title track could be better, I guess. It didn't do that bad, remember they were competing for the first spot, if I don't remember it wrong, for both come backs. The problem is they do need more continuity for the rest of the audience to finally believe they can vote online for them, purchase the music, etc.

I wouldn't get them re-doing songs from one market to another, the thing I respect a lot for both AS and 4Minute is the fact they don't do the same shitty thing SM and other companies do with their songs and, on the other hand, we get more songs from them.

Another trouble with their J-Pop releases is that J-Pop is not just one genre, is diverse, is variated, they've just tried a couple of those genres inside J-Pop, mostly Electro-Dance and Mellow-Pop. The songs with Shinichi Osawa brought in a different side but Shhh is another Electro track, more UK-ish though.

There's a deeper R&B niche in Japan that's been on ever since the late 1980's it would be nice for them to explore once or twice.

Then there's a different way to do ballads, people usually love them, but the best things from most of the Johnny's groups are their ballads. I don't ask them to go Kinki Kids, but Arashi and V6 have really nice tracks and a diverse type of Pop they surely could pull out if they tried, instead of having candy slow jams like Slow Love (which I do like, but to get some versatility from them it would be nice). That meant for the Japanese market, mostly. I don't think it would work for the Korean Market that much.

Anyway, it doesn't matter because whenever they do something different, the complaints are louder than the good comments.

Ohh this is difficult. I personally love Jung-ah as leader, but she does seem a bit passive, like I really can't see her being strict with the members because she is too sweet lol.

I would probably pick Nana. I mean she's Kahi's prodigy! Anyways she is really disciplined, and knows how to work hard. Also if you watched when AS was on Weekly Idol, and during the Random Dance Segment she really looked like the leader watching all of the members and the dancing closely. She is also very VERY popular and the modeling and appearances that she does can bring a lot more recognition to After School.

The problem is that she is younger than a lot of the members and that might cause some problems, I might have chosen Uee but she is always busy with her dramas and misses a lot of performances.

Ok after reading through all the previous posts (especially from OKDR and Adam [ I did skip through a few parts because gosh that was really alot of text.. sorry about that]), I finally found someone who doesn't like their Japanese works as much as their Korean ones! Haha.. You know, I feel that they seem to be focusing too much on their Japanese works for my liking. But if that's where the money is then I guess I'll have to deal with it.

Also, on a side note, I know that ASD is more for international AS fans, but am I like the only guy who understands a little Korean here? Just wondering.

Okay back to topic. I personally do agree that Raina has the capabilities and the ambitious nature to be a good leader. And I'm not saying this just because I love her to bits. Because personally, I would prefer the next leader of AS to be Jooyeon. I couple of things I do agree with the things mentioned are that Raina was the only one who spoke up when JungAh expressed that she would be next to graduate. I was quite affected by that part when I first watched it.

I never really took note of other individual times where Raina did something that I was really impressed with (Probably because I would account it to the fact that I'm too biased) but from what has been discussed, it seems like Raina does have a lot of potential to be the leader of AS. But I'm not sure if its the NEXT one. Jayden's idea of Nana taking over as leader of OC if Raina becomes leader of AS did seem to be a nice idea. So Raina and Nana can boss each other when they are promoting for AS and OC. Haha..

So my choice is Jooyeon for the next leader. Why so? Probably because she would be the last original member of AS. But also because I feel that she can connect well with the rest of the group, even with E-Young and Kaeun. As for any other qualities, I think Adam said it really well. I especially like how you said that "Juyeon isn't really good at anything except for trolling". HAHA. Really couldn't have said it better myself. But I also agree with "but I guess she could delegate tasks to people who are better qualified to perform them", simply due to her seniority, and its not in a bad way because she can maintain close relationships with the members but she is also at the same time respected for being the Unnie.

No you're not. I started studying it a few years ago, still beginner level transitioning to Intermediate XD

don't worry about skipping parts, it's obvious people can't read all what we type if it's that long XD

Reading all of this, it came to me that the position of leader just isn't that important anymore post-Kahi. There are many groups that have "leaders" but are more or less equals, and aside from age-difference hierarchy, AS is becoming/has become one of those groups.

K-kitsune wrote:Reading all of this, it came to me that the position of leader just isn't that important anymore post-Kahi. There are many groups that have "leaders" but are more or less equals, and aside from age-difference hierarchy, AS is becoming/has become one of those groups.

I think whether the position of leader post-Kahi is important or not depends on if you consider whether the roles of a leader are important or can the roles be performed well by the group without a leader. The roles I've identified the leader is responsible for  includes, mediator, group representative, critic/teacher and visionary.

I think the role of mediator is very important. In order to maintain peace a mediator is required when disagreements occur. Although a mediator is important, it is not necessary. If the girls can resolve their problems by themselves a mediator is not needed. When they girls were questioned(indirectly as a joke) if there was any bulling in the group they laughed at the question and said they get along fine. From what I've seen the girls are fine without a leader there to help mediate.

A group representative acts on behalf of the whole group. So they maybe responsible for things like negotiating terms of contracts, conveying concerns/complains of members to their managers etc. Again I think this roles is important but not necessary if the group can act on their own without a designated group representative. I do think After School can act as a group, I think they did it as a group when they ask for Pledis to not change the member lineup for their First Love comeback but I'm not sure.

The role of visionary is someone who is responsible for continuously thinking and planning how to improve the group to bring more success to the group. Same with previous roles, I think this roles is important but not necessary. After School is full of creative and talented individuals that I think are capable of performing this without a leader to do it for them.

The role of critic/teacher is very important for ensuring the quality performances After School is known for. Someone needs to be there to point out mistake and make suggestions for improvements. I think this is the most important role and the crappiest. From personal experience unless you're in a perfect group where everyone works perfectly, the leader(if he/she is doing his/her job) is in danger of being singled out as the most hated person in the group. Even if this role is important, it is not necessary if all the members step up their game so there's no need for the lectures and critiques. However after Kahi graduated I've seen performances where it appears Jung Ah's over mothering passive nature is preventing her from performing this role properly and the members clearly have not sufficiently stepped up their game.
 
With all that said, I've came to the conclusion that while the position of a leader might be important, it is not necessary post-Kahi if all the members step up but I'm not under the impression that the members and sufficiently stepped up their game. Also I guess the necessity of a leader is also questionable because there are fans that don't seem too keen on having quality performances instead favouring Jung Ah's omma twist to leading. I think at the end of the day it all comes down to being a matter of opinion.

Btw, even though I've just said having Jung Ah as the leader is as good as not having a leader at all(that's basically what every I've said adds up to). I'm not hating on Jung Ah, I love her to bits but I just don't think she's a very good leader right now.

I am known to be crazy so I am going to say one name! E-youngie! Yeah that is pretty crazy and I am obviously biased. I would want to see Nana leading A.S. for a few years and then see E-young take over. I know that she seems shy but I got the feeling that she can be quite serious and she sure has determination. In Weekly Idol and Seri’s Star Kitchen I got to see a bit of those qualities and I think as she will gain more fans, lines and habits as an idol I think her shyness might fade away. I just think that she is a bit insecure at the moment. But as soon as she dances or plays an instrument she knows what she is doing and she shows leadership potential in the future.

I still remember that time where all the girls stood still on stage because they did not know which version of Shampoo that was playing, suddenly E-young started to dance perfectly in synch with the music and this was years ago. I think she has the potential, but first I want Nana to lead. To respect the seniority Jooyeon could be a main vocalist and Uee could rap more (she is really good at it.) But until that day I will hope Jungah sticks around as long as possible.   

I actually think Jung-Ah is a great leader and I am really happy that she's the leader of AS. She brings this feminine and sultry quality to AS. I love how each of the members are starting to shine more, Kahi was great but I felt like it was more Kahi ft. Orange Caramel with the remaining members serving as backup dancers.

If Jooyeon becomes the next leader I would be excited to see how the group's dynamic changes. I can imagine them having a more fun and cute image, she'd probably be like JiHyun of 4Minute or Qri from T-ara where she would just be there lol.

Uee would be good but her acting career seems to be more of a priority than AS at the moment.

Redboi675 wrote:If Jooyeon becomes the next leader I would be excited to see how the group's dynamic changes. I can imagine them having a more fun and cute image, she'd probably be like JiHyun of 4Minute or Qri from T-ara where she would just be there lol.

I have never thought of it that way. Mainly beacuse I only follow A.S. on "such a personal level." I have no clue on how other grops work with their leaders and so on. But this thread is starting to convince me. I think Jooyeon should be the leader, then Nana and after some years I want it to be E-young. And as someone else said before me, she could deligate and I actually think she would be quite a good leader if given the chance, different but good.

Sincerely is very hard to pick a new leader. They all have potential, and let's face it, even Kahi said Lizzy was one of the most well rounded members. I don't really understand what's pledis doing with her voice, she really showed her vocals in Navi's I love you and Davichi's Love and War.

Uee and Jooyeon do have pontential. Uee really showed her vocals in Lady live even if it was diffucult to her and Jooyeon showed her powerful yet sweet voice in L.O.V.E and I'm a man (those covers in youtube don't even have more than 5.000 views sadly)

AS needs a leader who can see those facts and polish them. Raina is a good candidate,she helped Lizzy a lot with her vocals, is a good dancer and can rap. Uee can be a great leader too, she has a strong position in korea and she is very charismatic.  Jooyeon knows how to be serious, and I believe she is mature enough to lead them. While Nana is one of tge most popular ones, plus she has Kahi's aura, good vocals (remembering she was trained to be vocalist) and good dance too.

But still I haven't seen everyone's potential with Kahi or JungAh. But obviously the choose is between Uee, Jooyeon, Raina or Nana, they all do have a potent aura, but I don't know who is the best option...

I think E-young

Raina felt responsible so she stepped up to fill in the hole left by Jung Ah's absence during the "Shh" release event in Sunshine City because Jung Ah's health wasn't good. You can read more about it in the Kan Fun interview. Along with the many other proven leadership qualities Raina possess, Raina also has initiative, is dependable and she literally is capable of taking over the role of the leader.

I know It's impossible for this to happen, but imagine if Bekah would still be here, she would have been a BADASS leader! sorry I had to say it hehehe

Jungah should stay at least 2 more years as the leader.
Juyeon as the leader - No! As much i like her, she doesn't have the strength to carrying a group. And i think that she is gonna be the next graduate member.
Uee isn't even with them most of the time. Wouldn't work in my opinion.
Raina - Already Orange Caramel's leader.
Lizzy - No...
Nana - Maybe? But i hope not.   
E-young should be the leader of her new sub unit group only.
Maybe Kaeun or the next new member after 2 or 3 years when Jungah graduates from the group.

I have to pick Raina. Based on recent interviews with Orange Caramel that said she's easily annoyed and very picky, it's perfect that she'd be next leader. Going with what others have said in this thread already, the leader has to be assertive, know when and how to sternly scold members, and lead by example. As leader of Orange Caramel not only has she had some experience leading already but she's not a push over softy girl. She's strong just like her voice!

I think it might be awhile before Jung Ah leaves but I think maybe next in line to be leader will probably be Ju Yeon if we go in chronological order of who was in the group for the longest time however I feel that Raina has a pretty good head on her shoulders as a potential leader, I can see her taking on a very Kahi-like role as a leader. Another potential candidate I would think is Nana, I can see her as the more reserved Jung Ah-like role as a leader.

I think Raina will be the next leader. She's already the leader of OC. After School have said Jooyeon isn't very strict with them and is more of a fun unnie.