After School

"After School" by Weeekly is a vibrant anthem that celebrates the joy, freedom, and precious moments of youth shared among friends. The song's lyrics literally describe the exhilarating feeling of being released from the confines of school and heading out for an afternoon of fun and adventure. It's about seizing the fleeting moments of daylight to skateboard, dance, and simply enjoy each other's company.

On a deeper level, the song encapsulates the theme of camaraderie and the unique, unspoken bond of friendship. Phrases like "We clicked from the day we met" and feeling like a friend is "another me" highlight a profound connection that provides support and shared happiness. The song emphasizes that the experience is special not just because of the activities, but because they are doing them together. The recurring line "I'm so good with you" serves as the core message, underscoring that the presence of friends is what makes these moments perfect.

Furthermore, "After School" taps into a sense of nostalgia and the understanding that these carefree days are finite. Lyrics like "This moment won’t come back" and the urgency to not waste a minute of the setting sun reflect an awareness of the transient nature of youth. The song encourages living in the present and cherishing the simple, brilliant moments of everyday life.

The song captures the exhilarating feeling of freedom right after the last school bell rings. It begins with the eager anticipation of meeting up with friends, a plan confirmed by a 'ding' from a phone message. There’s a sense of urgency and excitement, ditching the school uniform for comfortable gym clothes, ready to race down the hallways. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the golden hour, with an orange-tinged sky signaling the precious, fleeting moments of the afternoon that they are desperate not to waste.

The core of the narrative revolves around the shared activities and the strong bond between friends. They ride skateboards, feeling as though they are dancing on wheels, weaving through the wind and exploring everywhere and anywhere. This act of skateboarding becomes a metaphor for their journey through youth—sometimes wobbly and uncertain, but thrilling and full of discovery. The feeling is described as more exhilarating than any phone game, a testament to the power of real-world experiences and connections. Their shared playlist blasts in the background, serving as the soundtrack to their unforgettable moments. They are keenly aware that this time is precious and fleeting, capturing every shiny, brilliant moment in their memories and on their phones, filling up albums with videos.

The song delves into the depth of their friendship, describing a connection that felt instantaneous from the day they met. They have a mutual understanding that transcends words, a seamless chemistry that makes them feel like they're more than just friends—they're like another version of oneself. This connection gives them the courage to dream bigger and fly higher, riding on a wave of shared emotions. The recurring refrain, "I'm so good with you," emphasizes that the joy comes not from the activities themselves, but from experiencing them together. The song concludes with a final snapshot of this perfect afternoon: striking a pose for the camera, capturing the beautiful, free-spirited feeling of the moment, a memory to be cherished forever.

"After School" was released on March 17, 2021, as the lead single from Weeekly's third mini-album, "We Play". The song was a collaborative effort by a team of international and Korean songwriters. The lyrics were penned by Seo Ji-eum and Seo Jeong-ah. The composition involved a larger team, including Daniel Durn, David Quinones, Denzil Remedios, Katrine Neya Klith Joergensen, Jazelle Paris, and the renowned K-pop producer Ryan S. Jhun, who also co-arranged the track with Denzil Remedios. The album "We Play" was the final installment of Weeekly's "school trilogy," which also included their previous EPs "We are" and "We can". The creation of the song and album aimed to capture the energetic and bright daily lives of teenagers, focusing on the preciousness of time spent with friends after school, a theme that became particularly poignant given the social restrictions of 2020.

"After School" is characterized by a driving and energetic rhythm that maintains a high level of excitement throughout. With a tempo of 164 beats per minute (BPM), the song falls into a fast-paced dance-pop category. The underlying beat combines elements of reggae and trap, which gives the verses a bouncy, rhythmic feel that contrasts with the more explosive, synth-driven chorus. This rhythmic shift helps to build anticipation and makes the chorus feel more impactful when it arrives.

The lyrical rhythm is largely conversational and playful, mirroring the upbeat tempo of the music. The rhyme scheme in the Korean lyrics follows a relatively simple and direct pattern, common in pop music, which prioritizes catchiness and flow over complex structures. The phrasing is often short and punchy, making it easy to sing along to. The interplay between the vocals and the instrumental is tight, with the melodic hooks of the chorus aligning perfectly with the song's rhythmic peaks, creating a satisfying and highly infectious pop structure.

Musically, "After School" is a bright synth-pop and bubblegum pop song. It is described as a pop number infused with elements of reggae and trap beats, particularly in the verses, creating a playful and rhythmic foundation. The song is composed in the key of C-sharp major with a fast tempo of 164 beats per minute, contributing to its energetic and upbeat feel. A dynamic synthesizer and prominent 808 bass sound are key features of the arrangement, especially in the chorus, which creates an infectious and memorable melody.

Lyrically and vocally, the song employs a conversational style, making it feel personal and relatable. The members' vocal delivery is bright, enthusiastic, and full of personality, effectively conveying the song's joyful theme. The chorus is structured with multiple hooks, including a descending melody followed by the highly catchy "I'm so good with you" refrain, which makes the song incredibly memorable. The use of ad-libs and energetic chants throughout the track further enhances its playful and spontaneous atmosphere.

"After School" became a significant viral hit for Weeekly, vastly increasing their international recognition. While it didn't achieve the same level of success on domestic Korean charts, peaking at #135 on the Melon daily chart, its global impact was immense. The song's music video has surpassed 100 million views on YouTube, and the track gained massive traction on platforms like TikTok and Spotify. On Spotify, its streaming numbers dwarfed those of many higher-tier K-pop groups at the time, indicating a huge organic growth in their international fanbase. The song was praised for its refreshing and bright "teen crush" concept, which stood out at a time when many girl groups were opting for more mature or "bad-ass" concepts. Its success established Weeekly as a prominent 4th generation K-pop group and "After School" is often cited as one of the defining songs of its era for its cheerful energy and widespread appeal. The song was also featured on several year-end lists for best K-pop songs of 2021.

"After School" uses several key symbols and metaphors to enhance its themes of freedom, youth, and friendship.

• Skateboarding: The most prominent symbol in the song and music video is the skateboard. It represents freedom, youthful rebellion, and a carefree spirit. The act of gliding and "dancing" on the skateboard symbolizes navigating the ups and downs of life with friends, sometimes stumbling but always moving forward together through the "wind." It’s a dynamic image of living in the moment and embracing adventure.
• The Setting Sun: The lyrics frequently mention the "orange-tinged sky" that is "getting darker." This imagery symbolizes the fleeting nature of youth and these perfect moments. It creates a sense of sweet urgency, a reminder to cherish the present before it disappears, making the time spent together feel even more precious.
• Tag and Zig Zag: The song includes the lyrics "Yo yo yo, dance in a zigzag / Yo yo yo yo (Tag Me, Tag Me, Tag Me)." This is a direct, self-referential nod to Weeekly's previous title tracks, "Tag Me (@Me)" and "Zig Zag." This isn't just a clever easter egg; it metaphorically links their journey as a group, suggesting that their story and growth are continuous and built upon their past experiences, all while playing a game together.

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor "After School" and are key to its infectious appeal.

• "I'm so good with you": This is the central lyrical hook and the emotional core of the song. Repeated in each chorus, it distills the song's main theme: the source of happiness and confidence is being with friends. Its repetition makes it the most memorable line and the ultimate takeaway message for the listener.
• "따라와 Catch up!" (Follow me, Catch up!): This recurring phrase acts as an energetic call to action. It appears in the chorus and reinforces the song's themes of adventure, leadership within a peer group, and the shared excitement of moving forward together without hesitation.
• The Skateboard Motif: While not a lyrical phrase, the idea of riding on a skateboard ("스케이트보드 위로," on the skateboard) is a recurring image in the lyrics. It consistently appears to describe the feeling of freedom and movement, acting as a central motif for the song's narrative of a carefree afternoon adventure.
• "Ready, set, go!": This classic phrase enhances the playful, game-like atmosphere of the friends' hangout, adding to the song's youthful and energetic vibe.