The album debuted at number one on the weekly Gaon Album Chart, becoming Ive's second number-one album, and also topped the monthly chart for April, selling 544,339 copies in its first month of release. It has since been certified triple platinum by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) for surpassing 750,000 units.
On March 15, 2022, Starship Entertainment announced Ive would be releasing their second single album titled Love Dive on April 5.[1] Three days later, the track listing was released, with "Love Dive" confirmed as the lead single.[2] On March 21, a promotional video titled "Dear Cupid" was released.[3] On April 4, the music video teaser for "Love Dive" was released. The highlight medley video was also released on the same day.[4]
The lead single "Love Dive" was described as a "dark modern" pop song with "addictive chorus and percussion sound" with lyrics that "reinterpret cupid of the new era planning to shine on the stage". The second track "Royal" was described as a dance-pop song with "groovy and funkyhouse-type baseline" and "smooth and souful synth sound" that "gives the elegant and intense [vibe] of catwalk in a fashion show". The song's rap lyrics was contributed by members Gaeul and Rei.[5]
Tássia Assis from NME gave Love Dive a 4 out of 5 star rating, describing the single "Love Dive" as "the definite, luxurious plunge", which despite being "more subdued" than the group's previous single album "Eleven", is a "chaebol crush" that matches the extravagance and confidence that defines IVE. Assis then describes the B-side "Royal" as "classy", stating that "not only do [Ive] look expensive, but they also sound expensive", setting the overall tone of the single album as alluring and enticing.[6]Uproxx named it one of The Best K-Pop Albums of 2022.[7]
Love Dive debuted at number one on the week 15 issue of South Korea's Gaon Album Chart for the period dated April 3–9, 2022,[8] and went on to top the April monthly chart with 544,339 cumulative copies sold.[9] Per the year-end Circle Album Chart, it was the 21st best-selling album of 2022, having sold 861,185 copies overall.[10]
^Cheon, Yoon-hye (March 15, 2022). "아이브, '러브 다이브'로 4개월 만 컴백..4월 5일 컴백 확정[공식]" [Ive, comeback after 4 months with 'Love Dive'..April 5 comeback confirmed [Official]] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Pan-seok (March 18, 2022). "아이브, 새 앨범 '러브 다이브' 트랙리스트 공개..사랑의 큐피드 변신" [Ive unveils new album 'Love Dive' tracklist..Transformation of Love's Cupid] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (March 21, 2022). "'컴백' 아이브, 신곡 'Love Dive' 티저 공개 '6인6색 비주얼 센터'" ['Comeback' Ive, new song 'Love Dive' teaser released 'Six-person, six-color visual center'] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (April 4, 2022). "'컴백 D-1' 아이브, 보자마자 '숨멎'..큐피드로 돌아온 'LOVE DIVE' MV 티저 오픈" ['Comeback D-1' Ive, 'Breathtaking' as soon as I saw it..'Love Dive' MV teaser opened as Cupid] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jo, Hye-jin (April 5, 2022). "아이브, 오늘(5일) 컴백...큐피드 화살로 가요계 정조준" [Ive, comeback today (the 5th)...Aim straight in the music industry with Cupid's arrow] (in Korean). X-port News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Naver.
^"2022년 15주차 Album Chart" [Week 15 of 2022 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). April 3–9, 2022. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
^Jeon, Hyo-jin (May 12, 2022). "빅뱅, 4월 가온차트 디지털·스트리밍 1위...임영웅 4관왕·아이브 앨범 1위" [Big Bang topped the Gaon Chart Digital and Streaming in April...Lim Young-woong 4 crowns·Ive album 1st place] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved May 12, 2022 – via Naver.
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