Way Back Wednesday: Fin.K.L.’s ‘Ruby’

Over the past few weeks, we’ve focused on the original idol groups of K-pop and their associated rivalries. All the old-school K-pop fans, fill in the blank: H.O.T. is to Sechskies as S.E.S is to _________?
Yep, you’ve guessed right – Fin.K.L.! (as if the article title wasn’t a dead giveaway, huh?)
DSP Entertainment brought together Lee Hyori, Ock Ju Hyun, Sung Yuri, and Lee Jin to form a four-member girl group; they debuted in 1998 and directly challenged S.E.S.’ hold over the music charts. Although the two groups were both essentially pop artists, they had a subtle difference in style: S.E.S. was more known for their catchy bubblegum pop, whereas Fin.K.L. became a favorite for their smooth ballads.
What does Fin.K.L. stand for anyway? Strangely enough, it means “Fine Killing Liberty”.
To this day, I still laugh a little when I read the name in its entirety. I mean at first blush, it sounds like a totalitarian slogan. I can visualize anarchists holding temper tantrums against their ‘capitalist pig’ foes, screaming “FINE! [You're] KILLING LIBERTY!!!!”
Sigh.
Anyway, the name was decided through a general internet poll, way before the actual members were even selected. ‘Fin’ in Fin.K.L was derived from the French word for ‘end’; thus, when you look at Fin.K.L., you were supposed to read “End Killing Liberty” – a poetic battlecry for freedom over oppression. Admittedly, it’s an odd place to declare a philosophy, but it accurately reflected the sentiment of the times. The turbulent 20th century was drawing to a close, and a new millennium was waiting in the wings – people were certainly feeling more philanthropic and meditative during that time, wondering on the kind of person they’ll be for the new century, and how society could develop for the better.

1998…
In my memory, it was a solid year forever immortalized in these tiny sticker photos. If you weren’t living near a Koreatown, your best bet was probably found in the local Morning Glory or Artbox store. Friends would practically scramble over one another in this tiny, tiny booth throwing elbows here, crouching there. *click click click*, you’d stumble out gasping and laugh at the photos – more often than not, one of us would have picked a really corny frame with terrible konglish (“WEDDING ME!”).
Rocking Timberlands, you’d go over to the movie theatre and watch ‘Armageddon’ for the 5th time because damn it, you can’t get enough of the scene where Bruce Willis is a G and decides to stay on the oversized pebble from hell. But before he goes, he and Liv Tyler have a heartbreaking scene as the gruff father bids his daughter farewell – even a machete-wielding dictator would have cried over that goodbye. No matter where you went that year, you’d get all choked up and teary-eyed because someone belted out Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing”.

The ladies of Fin.K.L. enjoyed their joint career for four years. Ceasing activities in 2002, they each embarked on their own way.
Lee Hyori continued on in the music industry as a solo artist and has maintained a highly successful career. Yet a recent scandal over plagiarism has dragged down her reputation as a musician.  We can definitely expect her to reinvent herself once again, but in the meantime, she can rely on her modeling appeal.
Ock Ju Hyun, known for her powerful vocals, also continued on as a soloist but didn’t fare as well as her former groupmate in sales. In 2004, she became a hot topic with her substantial weight loss – Ock Ju Hyun attributed it all to practicing yoga, and indeed, became the top endorser for the exercise. She even released tutorial DVDs and opened her own yoga studios. Ock Ju Hyun also took a star role for the complex theatre performance, “Aida”. Currently, she’s a DJ for the radio program, “Music Square.”
Sung Yuri decided to take on acting, and debuted with the historical drama “Love of a Thousand Years.” Many were surprised by her abilities, but wondered if it was possibly a fluke. Her acting in the popular dramas “Snow Queen” and “Prince’s First Love” have proven otherwise.
As for Lee Jin, she’s been under the radar for some time. Initially, she too decided to become an actress, but more of a comedic one as opposed to her groupmate. After hosting some variety shows, and even starring in a movie, Lee Jin has somehow faded from the limelight.
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Earlier in September, the ladies reunited to congratulate Ock Ju Hyun’s new career as a radio DJ. To the delight of their fans, they performed many of their favorites, including “Blue Rain” and “To My Boyfriend”. Although they did not disband officially, it’s unlikely that the four of them will come together as a performing group again.
We’ve picked all of Fin.K.L.’s best hits for this article, so check them out below, and tell us your favorite from the list!
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“Ruby”
 

Blue Rain”


“To My Boyfriend”

“Forever Love”

“To My Prince”
 
“Pride” (자존심)



“Now”

“Feel Your Love”

“You Wouldn’t Know” (당신은 묘르실거야)


“Don’t Go Away”