''Diva'' ( ko, 디바, translit=Diba) is a 2020 Korean

thriller film Thriller film, also known as suspense film or suspense thriller, is a broad film genre that evokes excitement and suspense in the audience. The suspense element found in most films' plots is particularly exploited by the filmmaker in this genre ...

directed by Cho Seul-ye, starring

Shin Min-a Shin Min-a (; born 5 April 1984) is a South Korean model and actress best known for starring in television dramas ''A Love to Kill'' (2005), ''My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox'' (2010), ''Arang and the Magistrate'' (2012), ''Oh My Venus'' ...

and

Lee Yoo-young Lee Yoo-young (; born December 8, 1989) is a South Korean actress. She debuted in the film ''Late Spring'' (2014) for which she won Best Actress at the 14th Milan International Film Festival, making her the first Korean to receive the honor. P ...

. The film marks the directorial debut of Cho Seul-ye and revolves around a competitive diver (Shin Min-a) and her best friend and rival (Lee Yoo-young), who goes missing after the two are involved in a car accident. It was released in Korea on September 23, 2020. The title of the film was suggested by director

Park Chan-wook Park Chan-wook ( ; born 23 August 1963) is a South Korean film director, screenwriter, producer, and former film critic. He is considered as one of the most prominent filmmakers of South Korean cinema as well as world cinema in 21st century. H ...

, who reviewed an early draft of the screenplay. Cho found that the word translated to "

goddess A goddess is a female deity. In many known cultures, goddesses are often linked with literal or metaphorical pregnancy or imagined feminine roles associated with how women and girls are perceived or expected to behave. This includes themes of s ...

" in

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

, but to "

demon A demon is a malevolent supernatural entity. Historically, belief in demons, or stories about demons, occurs in religion, occultism, literature, fiction, mythology, and folklore; as well as in media such as comics, video games, movies, ani ...

" in

Arabic Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic languages, Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C ...

; she appreciated the dual meaning, and so adopted it as the title of her film. The film received two nominations in the

41st Blue Dragon Film Awards The 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards () ceremony was held on February 9, 2021 at Paradise City, Incheon. Organized by Sports Chosun (a sister brand of Chosun Ilbo). It was aired live on SBS. COVID-19 pandemic Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandem ...

: for Best Leading Actress (Shin); and for Best Cinematography and Lighting.

Synopsis

Yi-young (

) has all the talent to be a ‘Diving Diva’. She misses her best friend Soo-jin (

), so she changes her event to synchronizing swimming. While into olympics selection practice, they are involved in a freak accident, Soo-jin disappears and Yi-young loses her memory. As she gets her memory back, she remembers strange side of Soo-jin. She begins to lose her control on the diving board.

Cast

as Yi-young ** Kwak Ji-hye as young Yi-young *

as Soo-jin ** Choe Dain as young Soo-jin *

Lee Kyu-hyung Lee Kyu-hyung (Korean: 이규형; born November 29, 1983) is a South Korean actor. Though primarily a musical actor, Lee has also appeared in a variety of Korean films and dramas. In 2017, Lee shot to fame with his portrayal of Yoo Han-yang in t ...

as Diving coach * Joo Suk-tae as CEO Lee *

Oh Ha-nee Oh Ha-nee is a South Korean actress. She is known for her roles in dramas such as ''Goodbye to Goodbye'', '' Tempted'', ''The Crowned Clown'' and ''Three Bold Siblings''. She also appeared in movies ''The Shameless'', ''A Special Lady'', ''Diva' ...

as Kang Cho-ah, super child *

Park Sung-yeon Park Sung-yeon is a South Korean actress. She is known for her roles in dramas such as ''Love Alarm'', ''Mine'', ''Abyss'', '' Reflection of You'', ''Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol'' and '' Record of Youth''. She also appeared in movies ''The Silenc ...

as Detective Oh * Yoongeum Sun-ah as Hwang Hyeon-shin * Park Choong-seon as president * Heo Hyeong-gyu as detective Kang * Bae So-young as nurse *

Oh Hee-joon Oh Hee-joon is a South Korean actor. He is known for his roles in dramas such as ''Gangnam Beauty'', ''How to Buy a Friend'', '' 365: Repeat the Year'', ''Cheese in the Trap'' and '' All of Us Are Dead''. He also appeared in movies '' The Accid ...

as Reporter at Hospital *

Ji Yi-soo Ji Yi-soo is a South Korean actress and model. She is best known for her roles in dramas such as ''Woman with a Suitcase'', ''Solomon's Perjury'' and '' When the Camellia Blooms''. Biography and career She was born on October 26 in 1991 in Jeol ...

as Lee Yeong's agency representative

Production

Filming began on July 16, 2018 and was wrapped up on November 5, 2018.

Release

The film was released theatrically on September 23, 2020 in South Korea. ''Diva'' was invited at

25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival The 25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (), an international film festival held in Bucheon, South Korea, took place from 8 to 18 July 2021, it featured 257 films from 47 countries. The film festival due to the impact of the COVID ...

held in July 2021. It was showcased in Korean Fantastic features section.

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* * * * {{KMDb movie, 17400 2020s Korean-language films South Korean sports films 2020 directorial debut films 2020 films 2020 thriller films