DIA 디아
Still from photoshoot for "Pink Venom" Left to right: Ruby Jane, Natty, Yeji, Solar
Background information
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	K-pop
Years active	2021–present
Labels	Diamond Soul Factory
Associated acts	CARAT XY, Janus, Royal Flush, LeDeux, TOP, aurora, ONE, Seohyun, Tiffany Young
Korean name	디아
Romanization	di-a

This article contains Korean text.Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Hangul and hanja.

DIA (Korean: 디아, RR: dia) is a South Korean girl group, represented by the label Diamond Soul Factory. The group is comprised of four members: Solar, Ruby Jane, Yeji and Natty. Their official debut was at midnight on September 20, 2021 with the release of their first EP, with title songs 'A' and 'Bang!'. Their official fandom name is "Moonshine" and their official color is moonlight silver. They are the sister-group to Janus, announced and debuted at midnight on the same day.

You can find the profile of DIA members here.

Pre-debut

Prior to debuting with DIA, some members had already been active in the entertainment industry. Solar was a contestant on the survival show 24CARAT, but was eliminated at the final.

Career

September 2021: Debut EP

On September 11, 2021, DSF started teasing the debut of their first official groups over social media. It was announced as a "double debut" and the teasers were released in duos - each member of DIA with a corresponding member of Janus. After multiple photo teasers and a video teaser each - at midnight between September 19 and 20 the official releases dropped on all streaming platforms.

A was created by a solidified household name - producer Kwon Eunbi - with some help from member Yeji on the choreography. Yeji also was credited with taking part in the production of the track. The song's key point dance is the "ab dance", where the girls lift their shirts. YouTube restricted the song to audiences "15 and up". 

Bang! had a bigger creative team behind it. Once again the composer and producer seats were taken by Kwon Eunbi, who penned the lyrics along with Yeji. On the other hand, Yeji once again took part in choreography. The single's concept displayed the group wearing y marching band outfits, courtesy of styling duo Jessica and Chrystal Jung, who were inspired by the marching band style and rhythm of the song and wanted to do a marching band concept looks to match.
 

January 2022: Comeback with "Love", lineup changes 

On December 17, 2021, DSF started teasing DIA's (and Janus') comeback.
It was revealed that this comeback will be preceded by a pre-release track, called "Hands up". Finally, on December 29th, 2021, The pre-release track was posted along with a music video, featuring the girls in office attire for some of the scenes, and in neon tracksuits in others. The song was created by labelmate Shin Ryujin, who previously worked on their debut EP.
An energetic trap and dance track, "Hands Up" samples the melody of "Für Elise" by Beethoven, which runs throughout the song and hooks listeners from the get-go, peppered with 808s. 

On January 10th, 2022, DSF released the first music video teaser for the title track of the actual mini-album, called "What is Love?". It features all the members, hyperfocusing on a remote control. Mini-album dropped on January 19th.
The song is about "the love girls would dream about or imagine after learning about it through books, movies, or dramas". It has a bright melody and uptempo dance beat incorporating trap. Critics described the song as having "retro electro-pop styling" and an "addictive choral hook", with "digital quirks, sparkling chimes, and staccato'd percussion over the bubblegum melody".
In the MV the members portray characters from famous films. Hwangbi is Mia from The Princess Diaries, Yeji portrays Molly and Meiqi - Sam from Ghost, Meiqi and Natty are Vic and Matthieu from La Boum, Meiqi and Nene are Mia and Vincent from Pulp Fiction, Nene and Yeji are Romeo and Juliet from Romeo + Juliet, Solar and Yeji are Itsuki/Hiroko and male Itsuki from Love Letter, Yeji and Nene are Mia and Sebastian from La La Land, and Natty and Ruby Jane are Léon and Mathilda from Léon: The Professional.

Later, in February, member Meiqi flew to China to participate in a solo schedule and it was announced that she will remain there and will not participate in the future group schedules of DIA for the time being.
In March, member Nene was chosen to be a jury in the Thai survival show I-Land. Her participation in the show would interrupt her participation in group activities.
In May, member Hwangbi had to take a hiatus due to health challenges.

June 2022: Comeback with "My Pride"

On June 6, 2022, DSF started teasing DIA's (and Janus') comeback.
It was revealed that this comeback will be preceded by a pre-release digital single track, called "All Mine".
On June 11, "All Mine" was released during the teasing period and showed good results, being the group's first - and so far only - digital release. It also marked the group's official comeback as a quartet.

On June 17th, the album "My Pride" was released on all streaming services, as well as physically as a CD. 
It contained 12 songs, with the title track being "I Don't Need a Man" - composed and produced by household name Kwon Eunbi and written by Miso of aurora, who also choreographed the dance for it, the song has a bright melody and sings about young women who work hard and live confidently without depending on a man.

Notable B-sides to be promoted on shows later were "Only You" and "How You Like That".

"How You Like That" is an EDM, hip hop, trap, club, and pop song, it was written and produced by member Ruby Jane, while the choreography was credited to then in-house choreographer LISA. The track is said to be about "not being daunted by dark situations and not losing the confidence and strength to stand up again". A "thrillingly bombastic lead single", Billboard wrote, the track "fuses pop, trap, and hip-hop with regal horn blasts and a braggadocious hook."
Albeit not very successful on music shows, "How You Like That" reached the top of many charts, especially for its MV, which became the group's most-viewed MV in its history. In the beginning scene of the music video, all four sit like queens atop steps. The members are depicted dancing in several locations, including a jungle, a trapezoidal hall, and the Arctic, all while rocking a parade of high-fashion looks. In the end, they are united in a dance break in a grand domed hall where the quartet is surrounded by backup dancers.

October 2022: Japanese debut with "ALIVE"

On October 2nd, 2022, DSF surprisingly released a full Japanese album by DIA, with 11 tracks in Japanese, right as they were on the Japanese leg of their tour "Fair Game".
The album, called "ALIVE", consisted of 10 tracks previously released in Korean and now adapted with Japanese lyrics and one original new track - "Vampire" - which was performed for the first time at the Osaka concert, as a surprize gift to fans, right before the album's official drop.

This release was also the first where DIA and Janus did not share their trademark same-name-title track, which threw fans a bit out of the loop, seeing as it is not on brand for them to do so. DSF officials never commented on this.
 

November 2022: Comeback with "DAYDREAM"

As DIA (and Janus) were wrapping up their world tour "Fair Game" - their official channels started teasing an upcoming comeback. The set date as per the teasers was November 30 - the date of their Seoul encore concert.
On November 30, 2022, the EP "DAYDREAM" was released and the title track "Monster" was first performed live during the encore of Fair Games in Seoul. It featured the duo "DIA - RED SUN", consisting of two members of DIA - Solar and Ruby Jane. The EP debuted at number five on the Billboard World Album Chart.
During this time it was also confirmed that members Meiqi, Nene, and Hwangbi had not renewed their contracts after the tour ended, and DIA would continue as four.
 

June 2023: Four-part Project starts with "NEW MOON"

In May, 2023, company insiders revealed to Soompi that the sibling groups were gearing up for a grandiose four-part comeback project later in the same month. The upcoming albums were said to be a thread of EPs, all connected into one project of 4 parts, each showcasing a member's colors and curated to fit the featured member. DSF also confirmed that each member of the groups has actively taken part in creating their designated EP, making this 4-part project one of the most personal and genuine releases lately.
On June 8th, 2023, the first EP of the project - NEW MOON - was released on all streaming services. It focused on and was curated by the leader and main vocalist Solar. 

The title track of the EP "I Love You" was produced by DSF's long-time collaborator Ronny Lee. Musically, "I Love You" is described as an affectionate, lush, and "moody synth" dance-pop track that infuses elements of electronic and traditional Korean trot music to create a "different sound" and "new genre of music", whilst still showing the beauty of Korean culture. 

Solar's designated solo track off this EP - Adrenaline - received a special performance video instead of an MV, portraying the young woman sitting on a high stool and singing on a handheld mic. The track was soon after announced to have been chosen for the OST for the crime-drama series "Luciano". The song is sung entirely in English, and a special Italian version was released later by singer Aalia, while industry all-rounder Jessica Jung lends her talents for the lyrics. With its key in C Major, the track showcases the powerful vocals of Solar and compliments the color of her voice.

gogobebe (rock ver.) is a reimagined rendition of the original track of the same name, with encapsulating guitar riffs and a drum beat to match. The song features recently debuted at the time DSF k-rock band Royal Flush as the rock backing in live stages as well as the recording.

The last track on the record was So Hot a remix cover of the iconic 2nd Gen girl group Wonder Girls with a personalized twist to accentuate DIA's own light, with customized verses by the two rappers. DIA covered the song before, live on their Fair Game Tour, and finally fans could enjoy it recorded. Trainee Moon Sua has lent her hand in amending the lyrics and arrangement to fit DIA, with the help of the renowned rapper T.O.P; Pixie worked on the music, and in-house DSF choreographer Lee Know has been credited with the hard-hitting choreography for live stages.

July 2023: Comeback with "BLOOD MOON"

In July 2023, right after a successful run with "I Love You", DIA announced and subsequently released their second installment of the 4-part project, the EP "BLOOD MOON". The featured member for this EP was Yeji, and she was heavily involved in the creation of the songs and final release.

The EP was released and distributed by Diamond Soul Factory on July 9th, 2023. It consists of four songs, including the title track "Something". A music video for the title track was also released on July 9th. Other promoted songs include "Stay" and "Danny", the latter being Yeji's solo. "Stay" also received a music video.

DIA also performed "Stay" as part of the YouTube Originals special Dear Earth, in which they delivered a speech about the importance of dealing with climate change. The music video for "Stay" was directed by Han Sa Min.

August 2023: Comebacks with "FULL MOON" and "BLUE MOON"

On August 1st, 2023 DIA released the third installment of the 4-part project, the EP "FULL MOON". The featured member for this EP was Ruby Jane, and she was heavily involved in the creation of the songs and final release.

The EP was released and distributed by Diamond Soul Factory on August 1st, 2023. It consists of four songs, including the title track and digital single "Crush". A music video for one of the b-sides - Gotta Be You - was also released on August 1st. Other promoted songs include "Crush" and "Pretty Savage".
Stylistically, the album incorporates a broad range of musical influences, utilizing a variety of genres such as R&B, hip hop, dance, electronic, and reggae.

Later the same month, exactly at midnight between August 30th and 31st, DIA released their fourth and final installment of the series, a mini-album named "BLUE MOON", featuring member Natty. The title track was "SAVAGE" and Natty's solo song was the blooming "flowerain". In addition, DIA showed confidence in the mini-album by producing music videos for all of the tracks in it. "Savage", "Decalcomanie", "Wind Flower" and "Slay" were also promoted on music shows as well.

The MV for Decalcomanie was rated for "Audiences 15 and up". Curiously, model Troy, who starred in the MV, has revealed that they are gender-fluid, leading fans to hold even more respect for DIA for their decision to work with them, even in a conservative country like South Korea.

February 2024: Compilation Album "CRESCENT"

Following the success of their 4-part project in 2023, there had been much speculation and several announcements in regards to their then-upcoming compilation album. Before the release of the first part's single "I Love You", DSF CEO Tiffany Young announced that she intended for them to release 4 EPs eventually leading up to a new album. In late January 2024, DSF began teasing the new release with a series of teaser pictures and videos. Following the teasers, DIA were reported saying, "we prepared each song with a lot of sincerity and affection." Additionally, member Ruby Jane commented, "I am confident and I look forward to our comeback. I am happy to be able to express the musicality of DIA in various ways."  The agency announced that the full-length album would consist of 12 tracks in total, with 9 of them being the most successful tracks from the 4 previous EPs, and 3 whole new tracks - the title tracks "Come Back Home", "HIP" and "Ddu-du ddu-du"

It was announced that the release of the album would coincide with the celebration of the Lunar New Year in 2023, as well as the night of the Lunar Festival Awards - on February 10th, 2024.
Unfortunately, due to the accident that happened on the red carpet of the Lunar Festival Awards, music show promotions of the album were postponed, so Solar would have time to recover.

Lead single "COME BACK HOME" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its musical style and production. The music video for the song, directed by Dee Shin was noted for its high production value and use of computer-generated imagery. The video, reminiscent of the film The Matrix (1999), incorporates an array of dystopian and futuristic elements intertwined with the concept of a "virtual paradise". The group is seen living in a futuristic world where one can escape reality and enter the "virtual paradise" with a special machine. The dystopian-like real world features a normal girl (played by Natty) whose boyfriend is addicted to the virtual paradise and would rather be in the fantasy environment than with her. As a result, all four members go from their real world and transform into warrior rebels to infiltrate the virtual environment in order to destroy it from the inside. Filled with elaborate sets, special effects, and unique wardrobes, the video garnered notability for its high production value of half a million dollars to effectively exude a futuristic atmosphere and has been compared to the likes of science fiction movies.

The second lead single off the album - HIP -  is a dance-pop song with a retro feel. "HIP" was written by members Ruby Jane and Solar, later joined by Hanbin (Janus) for composition, and he also did the production. The single was met with positive reception upon release and became a commercial success, peaking within the top ten in South Korea and becoming a number-one hit on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart. The song was certified platinum by the Korea Music & Content Association (KMCA) for surpassing 100 million streams. The single debuted at number five on the Billboard World Digital Songs Sales chart, before peaking atop the chart the next week. Contrary to previous promotional cycles, the group explicitly focused on choreography, exchanging their trademark handheld microphones for headsets. Group leader Solar remarked that the choreography for "Hip" had been their most complex and hardest to learn so far. While appearing on a KBS talk show, she elaborated that this change was inspired by previous criticism over the group not having intricate, demanding dance routines and being self-choreographed. "Hip" is a dance-pop song with swing and hip-hop influences, noted by Billboard as a "powerful, anthemic melody" and "brassy take-down" of the group's haters.

The third single DDU-DU DDU-DU is an EDM trap and pop-rap song infused with bubblegum pop sounds, composed and produced by Hanbin (Janus). It utilizes oriental percussion rhythms and whistling while its title imitates the sound of a gunshot. Ruby Jane commented how the group reacted when they were given the demo for the song: "When we first listened to the demo track of 'Ddu-du Ddu-du,' we all thought, 'This is it.'" Its lyrics contain messages of strength and self-assurance. The song reached number one on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100 and World Digital Songs charts. In South Korea, "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" debuted at number three on the Gaon Digital Chart. The following week, the song ascended to the number one position.

August 2024: Mini-Album "Le Destin"

"Le Destin" is the 3rd mini-album of the group, released on August 28th, 2024, and consisting of 8 songs, with heavy accreditation to the members of the group themselves, other DSF producers, idols, and staff. It was a double-title release - with "Playing With Fire" and "Pink Venom" serving as the mini-album's title tracks. As usual it was released together with the sibling-group Janus's "Lé Poeme" after a long period of releasing teaser pictures and videos over the span of 2 weeks.
Some of the tracks were "unveiled" via teaser videos during the teasing period, and received MVs of their own to promote the release. The mini-album also featured a unit track - I'm Your Girl? - featuring Ruby Jane and Yeji.

 The mini-album was promoted with a long promotion period on music shows as well as other participation by the group in variety shows and abroad. The music video of "Playing with Fire" was directed by Seo Hyun-seung. Soon after the official release, the group also posted a choreography video of "Playing With Fire". The choreography itself was created by member Yeji, who, together with DSF choreographer Lee Know and fellow labelmate Lisa, is responsible for most of the album's choreography. Curiously, this album also marks the return of Choice37 as a collaborator with DIA, after their 2023 lawsuit against the group and the DSF label. No official statements have been made on either side, but the only song on the tracklist, created by Choice37 - Falling In Love, was not promoted live until a later time in the promotion cycle of the album.
In the United States, Le Destin debuted on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart at number 13 and on the Billboard World Albums chart with 1,000 copies sold in its first week of release. The following week, the album rose to a peak of number 2 on the World Albums chart for the chart. The album stayed on the World Albums chart for a total of 22 non-consecutive weeks. Apart from it, each single off the album also sold out physically as well as digitally.

Awards and achievements

DIA's accolades include eight nominations - for "MV of the Year", "Best Vocal (group)", "Best Dance Performance (female group)", "Best Female Group", "Worldwide Fans' Choice", "Album of the Year", "Song of the Year" and "Artist of the Year". All nominations are for 2022.
Out of those nominations, DIA won two awards - "Song of the Year" for How You Like That and "Artist of the Year".

Separately, different members of the group received their own nominations and awards, as follows:
Solar was nominated for "Best Collaboration" for the song Honey Bee along with Kate Kim and Hwasa, and for the song Some alongside Janus' Hanbin and Romeo. 
Ruby Jane was nominated for two categories - "Style Icon of the Year" and "Best Dance Performance (female group)" for the song POSE along with NO:ZE, fellow DIA member Yuqi and aurora. Ruby Jane won both nominations.

Additionally, Moonshine - DIA's fandom - won the category "Fandom of the Year". DIA honorably accepted the award in Moonshine's name.

In the 2023 Waterbomb Summer Festival Awards, DIA participated on Day 2 with the songs "gogobebe", "Something" and "Pretty Savage", and member Ruby Jane had a solo stage of her own with the song "Vengeance". Yeji had a solo stage on Day 3 with her song "Danny".
DIA was nominated in the following categories: "Global Icon", "Hot Global Artist", "Best Female Video", "Album of the Summer", "Song of the Summer" and "Artist of the Summer". Member Yeji was also nominated in the "Best Songwriter" category for her efforts in various songs, such as "Stay", "Daydream" and "Danny", and in the "Best Collaboration" category for the song "Ice Cream" with Selena Gomez.
DIA won the trophy in the "Best Female Video" category for the song "Gotta Be You", and the coveted "Artist of the Summer" daesang.

At the 2024 Lunar Festival Awards, DIA and certain members were nominated in various categories, and won awards in the following ones: Fans Choice Award, Best Vocal Performance (Group) for Decalcomanie, Best Dance Performance (Female) for Savage, and the daesang for Song of The Year for Decalcomanie again.
Members of DIA participated in several special stages on the Lunar Festival - Yeji collaborated with Janus' Hyunjin on a dance cover of two songs; Ruby Jane took part in a lineup of idols covering T.O.P's "Flower Road", and Yuqi had a special stage cover of Jessica Jung's Lilac, along with Eun of LeDeux and two more idols.
DIA were also scheduled to perform a solo stage of their own - performing their track CRUSH as an intro, followed by their comeback track COME BACK HOME, but due to Solar's red carpet accident, she had to sit it out, and only Ruby Jane, Yuqi and Yeji performed a slightly shortened variation of their stage.

DIA at The Lunar Festival Awards red carpet backstage in 2024.

Members

On November 1st, 2022 DSF announced that Meiqi officially left DIA and DSF Entertainment in order to pursue a career outside of the idol scene. The split was amicable and the entertainer and company are keeping a good relationship.

Discography

On September 20, 2021 the full EP was released on all streaming platforms.