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K-pop fans thrilled about Hyori's return

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Lee Hyo-ri / Korea Times file

By Kim Jae-heun

K-pop idol Lee Hyo-ri will return with a new album after a four-year hiatus and K-pop fans seem thrilled, looking for another sensation.

According to Lee’s agency Kiwi Media Group, the singer is set to return during the first half of this year. Many insiders predict it will be in June as Lee has just finished shooting a music video for her new single and her new album entered the final stage of mastering.

Lee has, once again, worked with her old colleague Kim Do-hyun, who wrote the singer’s hit-song “10 Minute” which made her a super diva.

Lee has reportedly participated in writing many of the songs on her new album herself, after she showed potential as a music producer with her last hit song “Miss Korea.” Her performance on stage is drawing high expectations among her fans as Lee is well known as a dancer and a fashionista.

The singer will also appear on the new variety show “Hyori’s Guest House” on cable channel JTBC set to premier in mid-June. Lee will host a guesthouse on Jeju Island with her husband, guitarist Lee Sang-soon of the rock band Roller Coaster, and provide accommodations to travelers free of charge. Some 5,000 people have reportedly booked Hyori’s guesthouse within a few hours after the show began to take applicants. It is her first appearance on a TV show in three years since she last appeared on SBS talk show “Magic Eye” with actress Moon So-ri.

Lee debuted as a member of K-pop girl group Fin.K.L in 1998 and successfully turned solo five years later with her first album “Stylish” that landed her an Artist of the Year award.

Lee became the highest-paid female singer in Korea when she signed a contract with Mnet Media of C&J Entertainment for 2.2 billion won in 2006.

In 2013, Lee tied the knot with her husband and left Seoul to live on Jeju Island.

Since then, Lee joined an animal rights group and has been active as an advocate for animal welfare and animal rights. She is also widely known for her vegetarian diet.