First-gen K-pop girl group Fin.K.L formally reunites after 21 years

Girl group Fin.K.L, one of K-pop’s first-generation icons, is returning to formal group activities for the first time in 21 years.

“Lee Hyo-ri, Ock Joo-hyun, Lee Jin and Sung Yu-ri have reunited under the name Fin.K.L,” the group's agency Gemstone E&M said Monday. “We are preparing for Fin.K.L’s return as a full group.”

The upcoming activities will mark the first time in 21 years that Fin.K.L has formally resumed group activities since releasing the digital single “Forever Fin.K.L” in 2005.

The four members previously reunited for JTBC's reality show “Camping Club” in 2019 and released the track "Like the song remains," though the reunion was largely a one-off project tied to the program.

“This is more than a one-off reunion and marks a new beginning for Fin.K.L to continue activities under the group's name,” the agency said. “We will gradually unveil a variety of activities for longtime fans who have continued to wait for and support Fin.K.L over the years.”

Fin.K.L debuted in 1998 and became one of the defining first-generation K-pop groups with a string of hits including “Blue Rain” (1998), “To My Boyfriend” (1998) and “Forever Love” (1999).

The members later focused on their individual careers. Lee Hyo-ri pursued a solo music career with hits including “10 Minutes” (2003), “U-Go-Girl” (2008) and “Bad Girls” (2013), while also becoming a prominent television personality. Ock Joo-hyun established a career in musical theater, while Lee Jin and Sung Yu-ri turned to acting and television.

BY KIM EUN-BIN [[email protected]]