Dal★Shabet: Family Through and Through
Breakups are sadly incredibly common in K-pop. At best, groups are created with a built-in expiration date, and very few survive long enough to have that contract renewed. At worst, they struggle through lineup changes and controversy throughout their entire lifespan – sometimes until the group no longer contains any of its original members. Dal Shabet, stylized as Dal★Shabet, is one of the unique South Korean girl groups that stayed together despite controversy, despite injuries and – remarkably – despite losing their contract.
The group was formed by E-Tribe under Happy Face Entertainment. They debuted on January 3, 2011, with the EP Supa Dupa Diva, originally consisting of six members: Viki, Serri, Ah Young, Jiyul, Kaeun, and Subin. Viki departed in 2012 and was replaced by Woohee in a lineup change typical for girl groups in their first year (Viki was called out to pursue a solo career). The group gained early success with hits like "Pink Rocket," which charted in the top twenty on the Gaon Digital Chart.
Controversy arose in 2013 when their song “Be Ambitious” received significant backlash due to the suggestive nature of its lyrics. A men’s rights group filed a formal complaint, claiming “The music video also contains scenes that depreciate the 600,000 soldiers that are working hard in their enlistment.” The lyrics were also decided to be unfit for public broadcast and would have to be changed during their TV appearances. Despite the controversy, the group weathered these challenges and continued on.
Problems didn’t stop there, however. In 2014 Woohee was hospitalized for a collapsed lung – purportedly a preexisting condition. She received surgery and suspended group activities to focus on recovery. That same year, Subin was involved in a “serious accident” on her way home to Seoul following the filming of 9 to 6 for MBC Every 1. Her van was completely overturned and totalled, and her injuries required surgery. Still, the lineup remained intact.
Over the years, Dal Shabet released a studio album and ten extended plays. The group continued even when Jiyul and Kaeun left in 2015 after failing to renew their contracts. No new members were added, but they continued on as a quartet until Serri, Ah Young, and Subin departed in 2017 and Woohee in 2018. Despite leaving Happy Face Entertainment, they insisted the group had not disbanded.
In
2019, Dal Shabet surprised fans by reuniting as a six-member group with the exact same lineup that had endured since Viki left: Serri, Ah Young, Jiyul, Kaeun, Woohee, and Subin. They marked this return with a photo exhibition and mini-concert, signaling a potential revival despite challenges. Dal Shabet's resilience and periodic reunions underscore their enduring bond and commitment to their fan base and to each other. Their journey reflects both the highs and lows typical of long-running K-pop groups, with their legacy marked by memorable music and a dedicated commitment to each other and their future.