Its members are:
* Lee Hyori (이효리; 李孝利)
* Oak Joo Hyun (옥주현; 玉珠鉉)
* Lee Jin (이진; 李真)
* Sung Yu Ri (성유리; 成宥利)
Fin.K.L won numerous music awards until its unofficial end in 2002, when all of the members pursued solo careers in different areas. Although they regrouped for a digital single in 2005, the group has since unofficially disbanded again, as each member had left their record company DSPent signing with different companies. There has been no official word on the group's status.
The first member to be discovered for Fin.K.L was its lead singer, Ock Ju-Hyun. She was discovered through a radio singing contest, which she won by singing Mariah Carey's Hero. Ock told her friend Lee Jin about this group and encouraged her to join; she was selected after singing Eco's 행복한 나를 for her audition. The next member to be selected was Sung Yuri, who was discovered while on a school field trip. As for the fourth member, Annie Lee (now of Tashannie) was accepted, but decided to depart after a few months. Hyori was brought in instead, who was found while in a mall taking sticker pictures with friends.
Fin.K.L debuted in 1998 with its first album Blue Rain. Although the trend of late 90's K-pop was to have groups sing cute, catchy music, Fin.K.L's initial strength was in strong R&B ballads lead by Ock Ju-Hyun's powerful vocals; this was shown by their first single, the title song from the album. Fin.K.L's next hit "내 남자친구에게 (To My Boyfriend)" appealed to a broader fan base, as this song was just as catchy as other pop songs of that time. (Yuki Hsu, a Taiwanese singer, sang a remake version of "To My Boyfriend" not long after the song's success in Korea.) They capped off their first album activities with a third single 루비, which was a sad lament over a lost love, and giving that love up for the good of everyone involved. As most Korean groups only release a couple of singles, it was a rare event to see Fin.K.L promote a third single. What made Fin.K.L even more unique was the fact that they actually made a video for a fourth single (which was eventually just left as a video and not promoted)
Fin.K.L's success in the following year continued with their next album White.Fin.K.L appealed to the teenagers with pure and cute images, as both these songs were very upbeat and poppy. Two hit songs from this album were "영원한 사랑 (Forever Love)" and "자존심 (Pride)". However, ballads were mostly ignored, although the slow R&B song Waiting For You was performed occasionally. Also, Fin.K.L began limiting their music videos to one or two per album; a video was never made for "Waiting For You". Like their first, this album was very successful.
Fin.K.L was one of the many K-Pop artists to release a "decimalized" or "half" album (which usually signifies either a limited or special release, such as a cover album or a themed record). Their first, their 2.5, was released in the winter of 1999, and their two most famous songs from this album were "나의 왕자님께 (To My Prince), a strong ballad, and White, the latter being a joyful pop song about winter love. This S.P.E.C.I.A.L. album also contained a remake version of 인디언 인형처럼 (Like An Indian Doll), a popular song sung by 나미 in 1989. Interestingly, no music videos were made in support of the album's release.
Fin.K.L's third album emphasized the physical maturity of Fin.K.L members. Unlike the previous catchy tunes and cute outfits, Fin.K.L members were dressed in semi-formal attire for performances for the hit single Now (this album's title song). Feel Your Love, another hit single from this album, was with winter school uniforms that signified transformation from a girl to womanhood (Incidentally, rival group S.E.S. was also performing at the time wearing very similar outfits.) Only Now was properly promoted with a music video (which was very sophisticated and stylized, unlike their earlier videos which mainly relied on the physical appeal of the girls) and a busy performance schedule; the second single was relatively ignored. However, the album managed to perform admirably.
Fin.K.L released their second "half" album in 2001, a special concept album consisting of remakes of Korean hits from the 80's and 90's. Instead of targeting their main fanbase of teenage listeners, this album appealed to adults in their 20s and 30s by arousing nostalgia. Singles from this album include 이예린's 늘 지금처럼 (Come On Baby Tonight) (originally from 1996), and 혜은이's 당신은 모르실거야 (You Wouldn't Know) (from 1981). Like their third album, Memories & Melodies only had one music video promoting the album (the one for 당신은 모르실거야). However (like their last video), much effort went into this video, as it recreated scenes from four popular and classic movies, one for each of the girls. (It also didn't have much lipsynching, in order to add to the dramatic feel.)
Because of its release date, Fin.K.L created a "winter" theme for their performances and dressed in wintery outfits to promote the carol-like tunes in this album. To complete the theme, they often had fake snow falling during their White performances; however, this created a problem in that the snow was quite slippery, causing members and back-up dancers to slip and even occasionally fall. Due to the limited release of the album, though, Fin.K.L did not promote this album for very long, perhaps saving them from serious injury. However, both of these 1999 albums helped Fin.K.L win a 대상 (Daesang, the Korean equivalent of a Grammy) at the end of the year.
Their last album was released in the spring of 2002. The first single, 영원 (Forever), was a very depressing ballad about waiting forever for a lost love. This was accompanied by a very depressing video, which was similar to their last video in that there were four separate stories. However, these stories were tragic stories mainly about the loss of innocence: Yuri became a prostitute, Juhyun was a sick housewife, Jin became a moody artist who eventually killed herself, and Hyori was a boxer who lost a finger. This song became very popular, although it was not as heavily performed as their other lead singles. Their second single, Don't Go Away, was chosen by the fans via the group's website, because they felt that Fin.K.L did not have an upbeat single for a while. However, this single was performed for only a short time and was abruptly dropped, perhaps due to World Cup Fever.
Like their rivals S.E.S., they decided to go their separate ways, although not officially breaking up. Members Lee Hyori and Ock Ju Hyun have since released two solo albums each, while Lee Jin and Sung Yuri have acted in dramas and hosted various shows. At the end of 2005, they released a digital single titled Fine Killing Liberty that had 4 songs (including the title track) and a music video. However, due to lack of promotion, the single failed to make a dent in the charts. Instead of ignoring the single, though, they have since released a special Fin.K.L Forever set that had two DVDs (one with their music videos and the other with various performances) and a photobook that also had the Fine Killing Liberty single in CD form.
They continue to work and stay in the public eye. Sung Yuri has continued acting, starting with the drama 나쁜 여자들 (Bad Girls) and receiving positive attention for 천년지애(A Love for a Thousand Years). Sung Yuri also played the lead roles in the dramas Prince's First Love and Platoon. Her most recent drama series, One Fine day and Snow Queen, received high praises and awards for both performances in 2006. Lee Jin has also worked in television, hosting various shows and even joining a popular comedy show for a season. Both Sung Yuri and Lee Jin won "Best Actress" in their respective categories (drama and comedy) at the end-of-year awards in 2002. Ock Ju Hyun has recently become very popular due to her significant weight loss. Crediting it to hard exercise and yoga, she has now become a poster child for yoga in Korea, even launching her own yoga studio. Lee Hyori, though, has been the standout solo member, releasing one hit album which catapulted her to the top of the charts (and many advertising contracts). However, she encountered controversy on her second album's lead song Get Ya.
In the fall of 2006, all the members of Fin.K.L have left DSPent and have signed on with different companies. There is continued speculation on the status of the group, Fin.K.L has not officially broken up as a group.
Fin.K.L reunited and performed together on December 19, 2008 during a concert by Lee Hyori, but it is unlikely that they will reform and can be assumed they split once again after the concert in 2008.
Maybe
Fin.K.L Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One two
That's good
Eyy
Mama loves me
Papa left me
Big brother raised me
Born in the '80s
They drove me crazy
Are we gon be alright
I'm thinking maybe
I'm thinking maybe (Eyy)
I'm thinking maybe (Eyy)
Gotta a lot of flows real wavy
My nigga still off the road real glazy
The game's got lotta clones real fugeyzis
And all the shit I seen really crazy
That shit was boot camp more like the navy
Lot of my days were cold mostly rainy
Seen a lot of dreams go all hazy
Those that were born good were all lazy
My uncle dodging cops that shit amaze me
And heathens on their knees like God save me
Women all lost their minds dumping babies
And I done seen it all few things phase me
Mama loves me
Papa left me
Grandma raised me
The streets made me
Born in the '80s
They drove me crazy
Are we gon be alright
I'm thinking maybe yeah
I'm thinking maybe ahh
I'm thinking maybe ahh
Papa left me
Who should I follow
Most of my days were cold
Filled with sorrow
Till I found some joy
Through a bottle
Drink my pain away
Till it got hollow (Oww)
Chances of making it
Seem like a model (Yeah)
Eish be'ku nyiwa mfana
Ni'khala njhalo
Nga pressa nga pusha nga phanda
Nga bhala njhalo (Yeah)
Yeah rappers therapeutic
Became a gospel (Hallelujah)
Man I was young and reckless
Always in trouble (Mmm)
And living in a moment
Not tomorrow (Yeah)
I went from nothing homie
Became colossal (Hoo)
Now I'm flexing I'm so special like mavado wow
Mama loves me
Papa left me
Grandma raised me
The streets made me
Born in the '80s
It drove me crazy
Are we gon be alright
I'm thinking maybe
I'm thinking maybe
I'm thinking maybe
On my knees again
Hands upon the bible
I pray you keep my friends
Who represent survival
Been through all of it
We tryna mend a cycle
Our sons will never feel alone like daddy don't like you
Chilling right at all
In fact this shit is spiteful
How dare he call you son
But he could never tell you
Life is amazing man
And nothing is entitled
But God has greater plans
Just something to excite you
You just need to spark
Just something to ignite you
So you can breach the dark
So you can see the light too
And maybe reach the mark
You got your heart as sized too
And pray you see the sharks
Who swim across to bite you
Loving you is unfair to me
Daddy never really cared for me
But mama loves me
And that's enough for me yeah
Mama loves me
Papa left me
Grandma raised me
The streets made me
Born in the '80s
They drove me crazy
Are we gon be alright
I'm thinking maybe yeah
I'm thinking maybe ahh
I'm thinking maybe ahh
"Maybe" by Fin.K.L is a song that talks about the struggles and hardships that the singer has faced throughout their life. The lyrics are very personal and emotional, as the singer talks about their family, their upbringing, and their experiences with the world. The song is mainly divided into three sections, each dealing with a different topic.
The first section deals with the singer's family. They talk about how their father left them and how their mother raised them. They also mention a big brother who played a role in their upbringing. The singer highlights the fact that they were born in the 80s, a time that drove them crazy. The repeated line "are we gonna be alright I'm thinking maybe" serves as a reminder of the uncertainty of the future.
The second section of the song deals with the singer's experiences on the streets. They describe their life as crazy and the challenges that they faced. They also talk about witnessing disturbing things and how it affected them. The line "lot of my days were cold mostly rainy" paints a picture of a gloomy environment. They highlight that they had seen dreams go all hazy, a metaphor for the difficulties they encountered.
The final section is a plea to God, asking for protection and blessings for the future. The lyrics suggest that the singer and their friends have been through a lot and they are trying to mend the cycle. The repeated line "I'm thinking maybe" also takes on a different meaning here, as it suggests that the singer is unsure of their future despite their faith.
Overall, "Maybe" is an introspective song that explores the difficulties and uncertainties of life. The repetition of the line "Mama loves me, Papa left me, Grandma raised me, the streets made me, born in the 80s, it drove me crazy" throughout the song serves as a reminder of the singer's turbulent past and their struggles with acceptance and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama loves me
My mother cares for me and loves me
Papa left me
My father abandoned me and is not present in my life
Big brother raised me
My older brother took on the duty of raising me
The streets made me
Growing up in an urban environment influenced who I am today
Born in the '80s
I was born in the 1980s
They drove me crazy
The struggles I faced growing up had a negative impact on my mental health
Are we gon be alright
I question whether things will get better for me in the future
I'm thinking maybe
I am uncertain about my future, but I am hopeful that things will work out
Gotta a lot of flows real wavy
I have a lot of different styles when it comes to rapping, and they are smooth and effortless
My nigga still off the road real glazy
My friend is still involved in illegal activity and seems to be living life in a haze
The game's got lotta clones real fugeyzis
Many rappers in the industry sound the same and are unoriginal
And all the shit I seen really crazy
I have witnessed a lot of disturbing things that have affected me deeply
That shit was boot camp more like the navy
The difficult situations I faced growing up felt like intense training, like that in the navy
Lot of my days were cold mostly rainy
A significant portion of my life was filled with sadness and hardship
Seen a lot of dreams go all hazy
My aspirations and goals often feel unattainable or unclear
Those that were born good were all lazy
People who were born into privilege often do not work as hard to achieve success
My uncle dodging cops that shit amaze me
My uncle is able to avoid getting caught by the police, and I find it impressive
And heathens on their knees like God save me
People who do not behave morally are still calling out for divine intervention to save them
Women all lost their minds dumping babies
Women are making impulsive decisions and giving up their babies for adoption or abandoning them
Mama loves me
My mother's love is important and enough for me to feel loved and supported
Grandma raised me
My grandmother played a significant role in raising me
Who should I follow
I am unsure of who to look up to or follow as a role model
Till I found some joy through a bottle
I turned to alcohol to numb my pain and find temporary happiness
Drink my pain away till it got hollow
My drinking eventually stopped providing relief, and only left me feeling empty
Chances of making it seem like a model
My odds of succeeding in life feel unrealistic, like a perfect model
Eish be'ku nyiwa mfana
An expression in a South African language, meaning 'look how I have been wasting my time'
Now I'm flexing I'm so special like mavado wow
I am now successful and able to show off my accomplishments, feeling unique and special
On my knees again hands upon the bible
I am seeking guidance and strength from a higher power
I pray you keep my friends who represent survival
I ask for protection of my friends who have also faced adversity and are still fighting to succeed
Our sons will never feel alone like daddy don't like you
We aim to break the cycle of absent fathers and ensure our children never feel unloved and unsupported
Life is amazing man and nothing is entitled
Life is incredible, but we must work hard for what we want; we are not owed anything
But God has greater plans just something to excite you
Although we cannot predict the future, God has greater plans for us and we should be excited for what's to come
You just need to spark just something to ignite you
Sometimes all you need to find motivation is one small spark
So you can breach the dark so you can see the light too
Once you can overcome the darkness in your life, you can see the light and hope for a brighter future
And maybe reach the mark you got your heart as sized too
With effort and determination, it is possible to achieve our goals and fulfill our dreams
And pray you see the sharks who swim across to bite you
We must also be aware of those who aim to bring us down and avoid them
Loving you is unfair to me
Being in a relationship with you is not fair to me, as you do not treat me well
Daddy never really cared for me
My father showed little care or support to me
But mama loves me
Despite my father's absence, my mother's love is enough for me
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: LLOYD MELUSI MADONSELA, MAGUBANE GIFT, SEFAKO MOLOTO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind