Old Fin.K.L studio photo resurfaces ahead of group reunion

Composer Yoo Jeong-yeon shared a 24-year-old photo of Fin.K.L at Booming Studio on the 27th, as the group prepares for full-group activities for the first time in 21 years. The image captures the members during the 2002 recording of "Forever," a song for which Lee Hyo-ri still receives copyright royalties.

A photo of Fin.K.L members in a recording studio from 24 years ago has been released, evoking memories for fans as the group prepares for its first full-group activities in 21 years. The youthful images of Lee Hyo-ri, Ock Joo-hyun, Lee Jin, and Sung Yu-ri gathered together show a charm that remains unchanged even when compared to the present. In particular, as the photo was identified as being taken during the recording of the hit song "Forever," which Lee Hyo-ri wrote, her past remarks regarding receiving copyright royalties even after more than 10 years are drawing renewed attention.

On the 27th, composer Yoo Jeong-yeon shared a photo taken with the members of Fin.K.L on her social media. She recalled the long-standing memory, adding, "A photo taken with the Fin.K.L members at Booming Studio while recording the song I made and Hyo-ri wrote. This was already 24 years ago." The photo captures the four Fin.K.L members gathered together, looking at the camera with Yoo Jeong-yeon at the center.

The members appear purely youthful as they spend time in the recording studio in comfortable clothing. Each individual's personality is clearly visible, from Lee Hyo-ri wearing a hat to Ock Joo-hyun with long straight hair, and Lee Jin and Sung Yu-ri wearing bright smiles. While the four women now maintain distinct presences in their respective fields, the photo captures the friendly atmosphere of Fin.K.L that was beloved by the public in the early 2000s.

The photo appears to have been taken during the recording of "Forever," the title track from Fin.K.L's 4th studio album released in 2002. The song, featuring lyrics written by Lee Hyo-ri and composition and arrangement by Yoo Jeong-yeon, was loved for its combination of sorrowful lyrics about love and waiting with the members' emotional vocals. Beyond being a simple group photo from the past, it is meaningful as it offers a glimpse into the moment the musical color of Fin.K.L was being formed.

Of particular interest is the fact that the song Lee Hyo-ri wrote directly continues to generate copyright revenue to this day. During the Mnet "Lee Hyo-ri Show" broadcast in May 2013, Lee Hyo-ri revealed she began writing lyrics during her Fin.K.L activities, stating, "I stealthily started writing lyrics during the Fin.K.L days. It was girlish, but I still receive royalties from that song." It was a confession that "Forever," released in 2002, was still generating income 11 years later.

While a singer's activities remain as records of the past as time passes, music in which they participated in the creation continues to live on in different ways. Even after the moments of singing on stage have passed, lyrics can be consumed again through digital music, broadcasts, and various musical uses. Lee Hyo-ri's past remarks show that creations left behind as a singer and lyricist can lead to economic value over a long period, beyond the memories of the Fin.K.L era. However, the actual amount of copyright royalties or recent revenue scale has not been disclosed.

This photo is being received as especially special because Fin.K.L recently formalized their full-group activities for the first time in approximately 21 years. This past September, the four members—Lee Hyo-ri, Ock Joo-hyun, Lee Jin, and Sung Yu-ri—announced they had reunited and were preparing for full-scale group activities. As this marks their first group activity together in about 21 years since the 2005 digital single "Forever Fin.K.L," expectations from fans are growing.

Gemstone E&M, which is in charge of the planning and operation of this project, plans to showcase various activities centered on new music and performances, including documentaries, variety shows, exhibitions, and brand collaborations over the next approximately two years. They also revealed a plan to continue activities until the 30th anniversary of Fin.K.L's debut in 2028. Interest is focused on whether this will lead to a project encompassing music and content, moving beyond a simple one-time reunion.

Recently, the members, including Lee Hyo-ri, have been gradually revealing movements toward the reunion by sharing photos from dance practice studios and verifying gifts sent by fans. With the release of the recording studio photo from 24 years ago, an atmosphere is being created where both past memories and expectations for new activities are being revived. Attention is focused on what kind of music and stage the four once-youthful members will present as a team again, as fans who have waited for Fin.K.L for a long time watch closely.

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