Diva (South Korean band)

Diva
Origin Seoul, Korea
Genres K-pop, R&B, pop Hip-Hop
Occupation(s) Musicians
Years active 1997–2005
Labels Cream Records
Zam Entertainment
Kiss Entertainment
Associated acts Roo'ra
Chakra
Chae Ri-na
Past members
Korean name
Hangul 디바
Revised Romanization Dibeu
McCune–Reischauer Tiba

Diva (디바) was a popular three-member Hip-Hop girl group in South Korea that debuted in 1997 and disbanded in 2005. They were primarily created and produced by Roo'ra member Chae Ri-na but left the group in 1999. Their debut album Funky Diva was popular in South Korea due to its newly created style for girl groups debuting in Korea.

Debut

Diva debuted with their first album entitled Funky Diva[1] in 1997 and their singles there was Yeah and Drama of December. Their single Yeah was popular in Korea peaking at #5 at music charts. Their album sold about 270,000 copies.[2]

Second album success

Diva released their second album entitled Snappy Diva[3] in the summer of 1998 with singles entitled Why are you calling and Joy. Their single Why are you calling was also popular peaking at #1 at music charts.[4] Their single Joy was also popular. Their second album sold over 240,000 copies.[2]

Third album, English album and line-up changes

Diva released their third album entitled Millenium[5] with singles Yo Yo and Like This To The Right in 1999. Their single Yo Yo peaked at #3 in music charts and was also popular. Their third album sold over 100,000 copies.[2] After the promotions, they released their English Album entitled Dream in Taiwan with the single I'll Get Your Love and was popular in Taiwan selling over 30,000 copies. However, after their promotions in Taiwan, leader Chae Rina left and Lee Min Kyoung was added.[6]

Fourth album

Diva released their fourth album entitled Naught Diva[7] in 2000 with singles Up & Down which hugely popular and In This Winter. Diva was still popular at this time even their popular member and leader left. Their album sold 112,788 copies.[2][8]

Fifth album

Diva released their fifth album entitled Perfect![9] in 2001 with singles Perfect! and DVD. Perfect! peaked at #6 in music charts. The album sold 69,069+ copies in 2001.[2][10]

Sixth album

Diva released their sixth album, a feat achieved by few girl groups in Korea, entitled Luxury Diva[11] which saw Diva change their styles with luxurious and dark concepts. Their singles where Lust in the Wind and Action. Their album was less popular than their last 5 albums with Action peaking only at #14 in music charts. The album sold about 46,840[12] copies.[2]

Best album

Diva released their 6.5 album in 2003 entitled Best[13] compiling their popular singles during their active times in Korea from 1997 to 2002. The album sold about 20,000 copies.

Seventh album

Diva released their seventh album entitled Renaissance[14] with singles Hey Boy and Amoremio. Their single Hey Boy peaked at #11 and their seventh album sold about 17,797 copies.[15]

Eighth and last album, disbandment

Diva released their eight and last album before disbandment entitled Only Diva[16] with singles Smile and My Style. Their music video for Smile was filmed in China. This album was less popular than their seventh album and only sold 20,000 copies in Korea. After their promotions, Diva announced their disbandment to focus on solo activities.

Post Disbandment

All of the members were focusing on their solo activities right now. The members were still in touch and good friends. Member Ji Ni joined the Season 3 Project Runway Korea under her real name due to her dream to become a designer and she placed in the 4th place, member Vicky was married already and have already children and member Lee Min Kyoung have acted in some musicals lately including Singin' in the Rain and On Air 2.

Artistry

Diva's artistry and genre was different from the other girl groups out there at their active time. S.E.S & Fin.K.L have both a poppy genre, Baby V.O.X have a dance genre. But Diva have a hip-hop genre that loved by many people in South Korea. Diva was also popular in some Asian Countries like China and Taiwan. Diva was known for having energetic and groovy music and videos that was peculiar at the height of their career.[17]

Discography

Studio albums

English albums

Best albums

Soundtracks

Music program

The Music Trend

Year Date Song
1998 July 5 "Why are you calling"

Awards

Mnet Asian Music Awards

Year Category Work Result
2001 Best Female Group "Perfect!"[18] Nominated
2004 Best Female Group Video "Hey Boy"[19] Nominated
2005 Best Female Group "Smile" (웃어요)[20] Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Diva debuted with former Roo'ra member Chae Rina
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%94%94%EB%B0%94_(%EC%9D%8C%EC%95%85_%EA%B7%B8%EB%A3%B9)
  3. ↑ Diva released their second album
  4. ↑ Diva won #1 in SBS Popular Song
  5. ↑ Diva released their third album
  6. ↑ Chae Rina left and Lee Min Kyoung joins
  7. ↑ Diva released their fourth album
  8. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20041016053945/http://www.riak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200101.htm
  9. ↑ Diva released their fifth album
  10. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20090228163329/http://miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_2001_2h.htm
  11. ↑ Diva released their sixth album
  12. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20041016100847/http://www.riak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200210.htm
  13. ↑ Diva released their compilation album
  14. ↑ Diva seventh album Renaissance
  15. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20060427224924/http://www.riak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200403.htm
  16. ↑ Diva released their last album
  17. ↑ Diva different from other girl groups
  18. ↑ "2001 MMF part 1". MAMA. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  19. ↑ "2004 MKMF part 1". Mwave. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
  20. ↑ "2005 MKMF part 1". Mwave. Retrieved 2014-08-28.