DKB (Korean: 다크비, pronounced "Darkbe"[1]) is a South Korean boy band under Brave Entertainment. The group consists of eight members: E-Chan, D1, GK, Heechan, Lune, Junseo, Yuku, and Harry-June. Originally a nine-member group, former member Teo departed from the group on November 6, 2023, after a drunk-driving incident.[2] The group made their debut on February 3, 2020, with the release of their extended playYouth and its lead single "Sorry Mama".
History
2020–2021: Debut and further releases
DKB is the first boyband to debut under Brave Entertainment since the debut of Big Star seven years prior.[1][3] Their name, DKB, is short for "Dark Brown Eyes", meaning that "those who have it will reach out to the world."[4] A representative of Brave Entertainment described the group as "a newcomer who will bring a new breeze to the music industry in 2020."[3] Various teasers were released throughout the second half of 2019 revealing the members of the group.[5]
On January 16, 2020, Brave Entertainment released a teaser image showing nine figures standing against a dark background with red lighting. The image also revealed the title of the EP, Youth, along with its release date, February 3.[6]Youth was released along with its lead single, "Sorry Mama", which was produced by Brave Brothers.[1] The group's debut showcase was held at the Spigen Hall in Gangnam the same day.[7] The EP entered the Gaon Album Chart at number 41 the following week.[8] DKB released their second EP Love, and its lead single "Still" on May 25.[9] On August 13, at the 2020 Soribada Awards, DKB won the "Next Artist Award", their first award since debut.[10] DKB released their third EP Growth and its lead single "Work Hard" on October 26.[11]
2021–present: First studio album and Teo’s departure
On March 30, 2021, DKB released their first studio album The Dice Is Cast and its lead single "All In".[12] On October 28, DKB released their first single album Rollercoaster and its lead single of the same name.[13]
On April 28, 2022, DKB released their fourth EP Rebel and its lead single "Sober".[14] On August 25, DKB released their fifth EP Autumn and its lead single "24/7".[15]
In February 2023, it was announced that DKB will be included among the 24 contestants in the JTBC idol survival show, Peak Time.[16] DKB was introduced in the show as Team 08:00, as show's contestants were represented with an hour of the day.[17] In the finale, DKB performed Monsta XJoohoney's song titled "Turning Point" and finished at 4th place.[18][19]
On June 14, 2023, DKB released their sixth EP I Need Love.[20]
On August 14, 2023, DKB released their sixth EP repackage We Love You.
On November 6, 2023, Teo departed from the band due to a drunk-driving incident. The band will continue to promote as an eight-member group.[21]
Members
List of members and their positions, adapted from Brave Entertainment.[22]
^ abKim, Ha-jin (September 30, 2019). 브레이브엔터, 7년 만에 新 보이그룹 다크비 출격…"실력파 특급 신인" [Brave enters new boy group DKB in 7 years… "Expert Newcomer"]. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
^Kim, Ha-jin (February 6, 2020). 다크비, 박봄 응원받았다…"新 보이그룹 파이팅" [DKB, Park Bom cheered on… "New Boy Group Fighting"]. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
^Kim, Soo-kyung (January 16, 2020). ‘용감한형제’표 신인 아이돌 그룹 다크비, 2월 데뷔 ['Brave Brothers' table newcomer idol group DKB debuted in February]. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
^Son, Bong-seok (January 17, 2020). 신예 9인조 아이돌그룹 다크비, 2월 출격 [New 9-member idol group DKB, launched in February]. Sports Khan (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
^Jin, Yeon-soo (February 3, 2020). 신인그룹 다크비의 준서 [Newcomer Group DKB's Report]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
^Kim, Su-kyung (May 11, 2020). 다크비(DKB), 5월 25일 컴백 대란 합류 [DKB joins the comeback battle on May 25]. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
^Yoon, Kibaek (October 12, 2020). 다크비, 10월 26일 컴백 확정… "5개월 만" [DKB has confirmed comeback on October 26... "After 5 months"]. Edaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
^Kim, Seoyoung (March 15, 2021). 다크비, 첫 정규 앨범 스케줄러 공개 [DKB reveals first regular album scheduler]. Edaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
^Yoon, Sanggeun (October 15, 2021). 다크비 컴백 카운트다운..감성+몽환美 기대 UP [DKB comeback countdown.. Emotion + dreamy beauty expectations UP]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved October 15, 2021.
^Kim, Noeul (April 15, 2022). 다크비, 28일 미니 4집 'REBEL' 발매…6개월 만 컴백 [공식입장] [DKB to release 4th mini album 'REBEL' on the 28th... Comeback after 6 months [Official position]]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^Lee, Ha-na (April 19, 2023). 다크비, 몬스타엑스 주헌 열혈 프로듀싱에 감격→이찬 부상 투혼(피크타임) [DKB, thrilled by MONSTA X Jooheon's passionate production → Lee Chan's injured fighting spirit (Peak Time)]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved June 17, 2023 – via Naver.
^Park, Ah-reum (April 23, 2023). 다크비 '피크타임' 4위 마무리 "팬들에게 자랑스러운 가수 뿌듯" [DKB's 'Peak Time' finished in 4th place "I'm proud of being a proud singer to my fans"]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved June 17, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kang, Da-yoon (May 29, 2023). '피크타임 TOP4' 다크비, 6월 14일 컴백 확정 [공식] ['Peak Time TOP4' DKB, comeback confirmed on June 14 [Official]]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved June 3, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Jung-yeon (November 7, 2023). "다크비 테오 음주 운전 적발…그룹에서 퇴출 [연예뉴스 HOT]" [Darkby Teo drunk driving arrested...out of the group [Entertainment News HOT]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2023 – via Naver.
^週間 アルバムランキング 2023年07月10日付 [Weekly Album Ranking on July 10, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
^AAA Special Reporting Team (December 2, 2021). "다크비 '2021AAA포커스 가수부문상 수상'[★포토]" [DKB's '2021 AAA Focus Singer Award' [Photo]] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved December 2, 2021 – via Naver.