Who Is Subin Dal Shabet? The Untold Story Behind The K-pop Star

Subin Dal Shabet stands as one of K-pop's multifaceted talents, evolving from a girl group member to a versatile solo artist. Better known as DALsooobin, Park Su-bin (born February 12, 1994) first debuted as a member of Dal Shabet on January 6, 2011, with the group's first mini-album "Supa Dupa Diva".

Standing at 174 cm (5'8") and weighing 50 kg (110 lbs), Park Subin earned the nickname "Giant Baby" as she was both the tallest and youngest member of Dal Shabet. Furthermore, her career expanded significantly when she made her solo debut on May 12, 2016, with the digital single "Flower". Beyond singing, she has established herself as a songwriter, actress, television host, and DJ, currently majoring in Theatre at Konkuk University alongside Girls Day's Lee Hye-ri.

Early Life and Education

Born on February 12, 1994, Park Su-bin originally hails from Gwangju, South Korea. As the eldest daughter among three sisters, she grew up alongside her siblings, with one of her younger sisters named Dabin. Her early family life took a significant turn when her parents divorced during her childhood, an event that would later shape her path toward independence.

Birthplace and family background

Park Su-bin's roots in Gwangju, specifically in Juwol-dong (now part of Gwangju Metropolitan City's Nam-gu district), provided the foundation for her early years. Despite her eventual rise to fame in Seoul's entertainment industry, her provincial origins remained an important part of her identity. Following her parents' separation, Su-bin made the life-changing decision to relocate to Seoul independently, seeking opportunities in the entertainment industry.

"After my parents divorced, I came to Seoul to start being a trainee and became independent at the age of 15," she revealed during a candid interview. This remarkably early independence would become a defining characteristic of her journey.

Education and early interests

During her formative years, Park Su-bin attended Hanlim Arts High School, where she was enrolled in the entertainment department. Though initially focused on entertainment studies, she found herself naturally gravitating toward music composition while spending time with friends from the practical music department.

Her academic journey continued at Konkuk University, where she pursued a major in Theatre alongside fellow K-pop idol Lee Hye-ri from Girl's Day. Throughout her education, she cultivated hobbies that would complement her artistic endeavors, particularly photography and singing.

How she got into music

Music ran deep in Su-bin's blood, largely thanks to her mother's profound influence. "I have been influenced by my mother who loves music and art since elementary school," she once shared. Her childhood memories include falling asleep under her mother's speaker playing various music genres and reading hundreds of lyrics her mother showed her.

At just 15 years old, Su-bin made what she called a "bomb announcement" by signing with a model academy in Seoul despite her father's opposition. Her determination was evident in her recollection: "I was not accustomed to shoes and [walking on] the subway. I remember when I was walking around all day long and only had a single energy bar a day [for a diet] but I was so happy because I had a dream".

After approximately a year in Seoul, she connected with Dal Shabet's CEO, who initially expressed concern about her young age. Undeterred, Su-bin responded with remarkable conviction: "It is never too early to learn". This encounter marked the beginning of her journey toward becoming a K-pop idol.

Debut with Dal Shabet

Park Subin made history as part of the first idol group to debut in 2011 when Dal Shabet (stylized as Dal★Shabet) entered the K-pop scene. The group quickly established themselves as rising stars in an increasingly competitive industry.

Joining Dal Shabet in 2011

On January 3, 2011, Dal Shabet officially debuted with their first mini-album Supa Dupa Diva under Happy Face Entertainment. After approximately a year of training, Subin had successfully convinced the company's CEO to give her a chance despite her young age. The group, created by producer duo E-Tribe, began their promotional activities with their first stage performance on January 6 on Mnet's M! Countdown. Their debut single proved remarkably successful, topping many real-time and music station charts throughout its promotional period.

Role as main vocalist and maknae

Within Dal Shabet's six-member lineup (alongside Serri, Ah Young, Jiyul, Kaeun, and Viki), Park Subin held dual positions as the main vocalist and maknae (youngest member). Additionally, she was designated as the "Face of the Group". Standing at 173.8 cm (5'8.5"), she earned the nickname "Giant Baby" as she was simultaneously the tallest and youngest member. Her powerful vocals became a distinctive element of Dal Shabet's sound, establishing her importance within the group dynamic.

Notable group releases and performances

Throughout 2011, Dal Shabet maintained impressive momentum with multiple comebacks. Their second mini-album Pink Rocket dropped on April 11, showing a more elegant and feminine side to the group. Subsequently, they released their third mini-album Bling Bling on August 10, which became their most successful early release by breaking into the top ten on Gaon's music charts. By the end of their debut year, "Supa Dupa Diva" had earned recognition as the second most addicting song with the second most popular choreography in a celebrity survey conducted by Sports Seoul. Moreover, their rookie year garnered them awards from both the 19th Republic of Korea Entertainment News Awards and the 2011 Bugs Music Awards.

Dal Shabet Subin's early public image

Alongside her group activities, Subin quickly expanded her presence through various entertainment avenues. She joined the cast of Koreana Jones in March 2011 and participated in eight episodes. Together with fellow member Serri, she contributed to the OST for OCN's series Quiz of God 2 with the track "Turn Your Head" released on June 23, 2011. Furthermore, she became a co-MC on KBS2's TV program Poker Face Season 2 from July to September 2011. Her early graduation photos from Guangju surfaced online, showing her natural beauty and creating buzz among netizens who noted her innocent appearance and cute poses.

Solo Career and Reinvention

In 2016, five years after her group debut, Park Subin took a momentous step in her artistic journey by branching into solo territory. This marked the beginning of her evolution from girl group member to independent artist with creative control.

First solo single 'Flower' and its impact

On May 12, 2016, Subin unveiled her first solo digital single album "Flower" while still active with Dal Shabet. This pivotal release included two tracks: "Hate" serving as the title track alongside "Flower". Notably, both songs were written, composed, and produced entirely by Subin herself. "Hate," based on piano melodies, poignantly depicted the emotions experienced after a romantic separation. Although not the most technically perfect singer according to some critics, her music resonated emotionally with listeners, earning praise for its atmospheric quality and distinctive sound that diverged from Dal Shabet's typical style.

Stage name change to DALsooobin

After departing from Happyface Entertainment in December 2017 alongside fellow members Serri and Ah Young, Subin announced a significant rebranding. On February 18, 2019, she revealed her new stage name: DALsooobin. This rebrand coincided with the announcement of her comeback single "Katchup," released on March 5. Regarding this transition, DALsooobin reflected, "Compared to other albums in the past, I was able to produce this upcoming album by interacting with my fans more".

Creative control and self-produced music

Even before her solo debut, Subin had demonstrated her compositional talents. She made K-pop history as the first girl group member to produce an entire album for her group with Dal Shabet's "Joker is Alive". Her first self-composed and written song, "Just Pass By," featured BTOB's Ilhoon and appeared on Dal Shabet's mini-album "B.B.B" released on January 8, 2013. In contrast to writing for her group, DALsooobin noted, "writing songs for myself allows me to focus solely on expressing my own self, so I think I am a bit more at ease".

Joining KeyEast and later A2Z Entertainment

On February 6, 2018, KeyEast Entertainment announced Subin's signing. The company emphasized, "Subin is not only a musician, but she's a multi-talented artist who can do variety, MC-ing, and acting". By 2019, she established her own one-person label called "DALSOOOBIN COMPANY". Eventually, on July 28, 2023, she signed an exclusive contract with A2Z Entertainment to resume activities as a DJ under the name DJ SUVIN, further expanding her artistic repertoire.

Beyond Music: Acting, Hosting, and More

Beyond her musical endeavors, Park Subin has built an impressively diverse entertainment career spanning television, acting, and even DJing.

TV hosting and variety show appearances

Park Subin established herself as a variety show personality almost immediately after debut. Within her first month with Dal Shabet, she quickly gained recognition for her entertainment skills, earning repeat invitations to KBS 2TV's "Happy Together 3" after impressing viewers with her country dialect. She became co-MC for KBS2's "Poker Face Season 2" from July to September 2011, hosted eight episodes of SBS M's "Studio C" with Mighty Mouth in 2012, and joined MBC's "Music Storage" alongside Yang Hee-eun and other artists. Her hosting abilities truly shone when she led MBC's "Music Talk Talk Ma Bling" for 117 episodes in 2013.

Acting roles in dramas and films

Alongside Dal Shabet members, Subin made her first screen appearance with a cameo in KBS' hit series "Dream High". Her filmography expanded to include appearances in the movie "Wonderful Radio", tvN's "Plus Nine Boys," SBS's "Shady Mom-in-Law," and the web drama "Title for Members Only". On December 25, 2013, she made a cameo in the popular SBS series "My Love from the Star". Recently, she has been building her acting credentials through short-form dramas like "Running Mate" and the film "Sweet Home".

Participation in 'Miss Back'

In September 2020, DALsooobin joined MBN's reality show "Miss Back," a program following female idols who debuted in groups but gradually faded from public attention. Alongside fellow former idols including Sera (9MUSES), Raina (After School), and others, the show provided a platform for these artists to share their stories and seek another chance at success.

DJ SUVIN and OSDS debut

Ultimately, Subin reinvented herself as DJ SUVIN in 2023 after signing with A2Z Entertainment. By April 2025, she reached another milestone joining OSDS, reportedly the world's first EDM girl group. The group made their official debut on April 24, 2025, with the digital single "Bluetooth". A2Z Entertainment noted, "Since Dal Subin is in the process of growing into a producer-type DJ and creating her own space, the team was prepared with utmost effort".

Personal Life and Fun Facts

Behind the music and performances lies Park Subin's vibrant personal story, filled with unique details that showcase her individuality beyond the spotlight.

Subin Dal Shabet body and height facts

Park Subin's official measurements show her standing at 173.8 cm (5'8.5") with a weight of 50 kg (110 lbs). Her blood type is AB. Essentially, these physical attributes contribute to her distinctive presence in the industry, with her company clarifying she stands at 174 cm rather than 175 cm as sometimes reported.

Her clothing brand 'NIKITA'

NIKITA represents more than just a clothing line—it's actually Subin's alter ego. "Nikita is a friend that helps me overcome my shyness," she explained. "She influences me with her free-spiritedness and gives me confidence". The two even interact on Instagram, with Subin noting that Nikita might eventually enter the music scene herself.

Hobbies and ideal type

Outside her professional life, Park Subin enjoys photography and singing. As for romance, her ideal type doesn't focus on physical appearance: "Height, face, and body don't really matter [to me]. I like someone with charisma". Primarily, she identifies as Catholic and admits chicken is her favorite food.

Overcoming a serious car accident

In May 2014, Subin experienced a life-changing incident when her van overturned completely on a road near Ulsan. "I couldn't feel my arm from the waist downwards when I returned to consciousness, and my upper body trembled like crazy," she recalled. This accident forced Dal Shabet to pause activities, with Subin requiring right foot surgery.

Unfortunately, history repeated itself on November 17, 2020, when she was involved in a four-car collision at Yeonpung Tunnel. Thankfully, her agency reported "no life-threatening injuries".

Unique achievements in K-pop

Most notably, Subin made history as "the first girl group member in K-POP to produce a whole album for her group 'Joker is Alive'", cementing her place as a groundbreaking female producer in the industry.

FAQS

Many fans have questions about Park Subin's journey beyond the spotlight. Here are the most frequently asked questions about the multitalented artist.

How serious was Subin's car accident?
The accident was life-threatening. Her car completely flipped over after a crash on a winding path near Busan. "I touched the ground and could feel grass. But there was no sensation in the lower half of my body while my upper half was shaking," she recounted. After regaining consciousness, she initially believed she had died. Subin ultimately took a year-long hiatus as she suffered from seizures caused by the trauma.

What hardships did Subin face during her trainee days?
In reality, Subin experienced homelessness during her early trainee period. "I ran out of money to pay rent at the dormitory but couldn't ask my mother for allowance. I started staying at a 24-hour hamburger restaurant after buying coffee. I would sleep there". If necessary, she would visit saunas just to wash up.

How does Subin support her family?
After debuting with Dal Shabet, Subin became her family's primary breadwinner. Her sister expressed gratitude saying, "We moved to a better home thanks to Subin. She supported my education and allowed us to do everything we wanted. She played the role of a father figure".

What's her approach to dating?
Interestingly, Subin once revealed that idols typically date actors rather than fellow idols because "both actors and idols yearn to meet someone from a completely different field".