SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA,
1999
MAY 6 (NB) -- By Martyn Williams, Newsbytes. Mark this one in the
history books: the first Japanese singer to release a CD in South Korea
exists only on a computer. Cyber-idol Diki is currently popular among
Korean teens as she attempts to bridge the gap between Korean and
Japanese cultures.
Since releasing her first CD on March 26, Diki has been growing in
popularity with young people in Korea and picking up radio and TV
airplay for her debut single "Albatross."
Her Web site, at http://www.diki.co.kr, has also become a popular cyber
hangout for kids, who can listen to her songs, watch her video clips,
find out about her likes and dislikes and chat with others.
If Diki looks familiar, it's because it's not the first time she has
hit the charts. In 1996 she made history in Japan, under the name Kyoko
Date "DK-96", when she made here CD debut with "Love Communication."
For her Korean debut, she assumed the name Diki, added the tag "DK-99,"
and acquired a few extra features from a local digital artist.
She wasn't reinvented through. Still the daughter of a sushi-
restaurant owner, Diki turns 20 this year.
Her debut in Korea was made possible by a relaxation of government
rules that had previously banned Japanese culture, such as music and
movies. The ban had been in place since Japan's occupation of Korea
ended with the end of the Second World War.
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More
than just a cyber-stunt, Diki carries a
message to Korean teens.
Her album title "Between" is said to represent the jump between both
the real and cyber worlds and also the Korean and Japanese cultures.
The Web site includes photos from Japan, information about the music
Japanese youth are currently listening to, Japanese pop culture and
snippets of news on Korean culture in Japan.
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Reported By Newsbytes News Network, http://www.newsbytes.com
(19990506/WIRES ASIA, ONLINE/DIKI/PHOTO)
COPYRIGHT 1999 Newsbytes News Network
