Why fromis_9's From Our Memento Box Is Their Most Personal Album Yet

South Korean girl group fromis_9's "From Our Memento Box" achieved an impressive 160,000 stock pre-orders before its release, signaling the immense anticipation for their 5th mini album. Released by Pledis Entertainment on June 27, 2022, this EP marked a significant moment in the group's journey as it would be the final album to feature member Jang Gyu-ri, who departed from the group just one month later on July 28.

The fromis_9 comeback with "From Our Memento Box" proved to be commercially successful, ultimately selling 165,937 copies in South Korea. Additionally, the album showed impressive first-week performance with 138,170 copies sold according to Hanteo charts. Notably, the mini album contains five tracks, including the lead single "Stay This Way," which features an "exciting, addictive chorus" and a "bridge that lets you feel a danceable pop sensibility". The physical album was released in seven different versions: CD (Wish, Dream, Memory, and jewel case), Kit (Wish and Dream), and Weverse album, giving fans multiple ways to connect with this momentous release.

The comeback that marked a turning point

June 2022 proved to be a pivotal moment for fromis_9, as their fifth mini album "From Our Memento Box" marked a significant transition period in their journey as a group. This comeback featured three major developments that would reshape the group's future path.

Return of Baek Ji-heon from hiatus

The release of "From Our Memento Box" signaled Baek Ji-heon's welcome return to the group. She had previously stepped away from activities in February 2022 due to health concerns. Her comeback was officially confirmed by Pledis Entertainment in May, when they announced that fromis_9 would be making their summer comeback as a full group with all nine members. This marked the end of her four-month absence and brought excitement to fans who had been waiting to see the complete lineup perform together once more. Furthermore, this comeback represented fromis_9's first release in five months since their previous mini album "Midnight Guest" in January.

Jang Gyu-ri's final appearance with the group

While fans celebrated Ji-heon's return, they would soon learn that "From Our Memento Box" would be Jang Gyu-ri's swan song with the group. On July 28, 2022, Pledis Entertainment announced that Gyu-ri would be leaving fromis_9 following the expiration of her original contract. Unlike her eight groupmates who had signed new exclusive contracts when transferring to Pledis in August 2021, Gyu-ri had maintained the conditions of her original contract with her former agency. Her departure on July 31, 2022, meant that fromis_9 would continue as an eight-member group moving forward.

Impact of the car accident on promotions

Just before their highly anticipated comeback, five members—Song Hayoung, Park Jiwon, Lee Seoyeon, Lee Chaeyoung, and Baek Jiheon—were involved in a car accident on June 25, 2022. Although their injuries were not serious, they required medical treatment for muscle pain and bruises. Consequently, both their media showcase and fan showcase scheduled for June 27 were cancelled. Nevertheless, "From Our Memento Box" was still released as planned on June 27 at 6 p.m. KST. During subsequent promotional activities, these five members' ability to perform choreography was limited as they prioritized recovery.

The concept and visuals behind the album

Beyond its commercial success, "From Our Memento Box" stands out as fromis_9's most intimate artistic statement to date. The album's very title reveals its core concept—a collection of treasured moments carefully preserved and shared with listeners.

Exploring the 'From Our Memento Box' concept photos

The visual presentation of the album embraces a distinctive retro office aesthetic with vibrant, stand-out colors that immediately catch the eye. In the concept photos, the members appear in stylized settings that evoke nostalgia while maintaining a playful energy. These images create the sensation of flipping through an old photo album filled with cherished snapshots. Each frame captures the members in cozy, nostalgic environments, surrounded by trinkets and mementos that tell stories of their own. This warm, inviting atmosphere perfectly complements the album's overarching theme of memory preservation.

Symbolism in the album versions: Wish, Dream, Memory

The physical release of "From Our Memento Box" came in three distinct versions—Wish, Dream, and Memory—each representing different dimensions of personal recollection. Every version contains an 80-page photobook, clear deco stickers, two random photo cards, a bookmark (paper keyring), and a lyrics card set. First press editions also included a special random photo ticket. The three versions function as chapters in fromis_9's visual storytelling, with each one offering fans a different perspective on the group's journey and artistic vision.

How the visuals reflect personal memories

At its heart, the album serves as a time capsule that captures the essence of youth, friendship, love, and growth. The concept alludes to the group's desire to collect all their beautiful moments into one medium they can share with their audience. Throughout the visual elements, fromis_9 expresses gratitude toward their fans (known as Flovers), acknowledging how fan support has been a crucial source of strength and inspiration. In essence, the nostalgic theme and heartfelt imagery make "From Our Memento Box" a touching tribute to the shared experiences between the group and their devoted followers—a celebration of their collective journey and a promise to continue creating beautiful memories together.

A closer look at the songs and their stories

"From Our Memento Box" truly shines through its diverse yet cohesive tracklist, with each song revealing a different facet of fromis_9's musical identity and personal growth.

Up And – A fresh start with personal lyrics

The album opens with "Up And," an energetic track featuring "synth that express the refreshing sound with 2-step garage-based drums". What makes this song particularly special is Baek Jiheon's co-writing contribution to the lyrics, adding an authentic personal touch to the album's introduction. The track embodies motivation and forward momentum, serving as both a literal and metaphorical fresh start for the group after Jiheon's return from hiatus. Its upbeat tempo and empowering message invite listeners to "chase dreams and reach for the stars".

Stay This Way – A carefree anthem with deeper meaning

As the title track, "Stay This Way" captures the essence of youthful spontaneity with its "exciting, addictive chorus". Beyond its carefree surface, the song tells a meaningful story of "an impromptu trip, breaking free from the dull and exhausting days". The members themselves have acknowledged the universal appeal of the track, with Lee Sae Rom noting that it received "great response because of the funky, groovy mood that best suits the hot summer".

Blind Letter – Hidden emotions and vulnerability

"Blind Letter," the album's third track, shifts to a more introspective tone, "mixing trap beats with a sense of indie rock". The song stands out for its emotional depth, exploring "feelings of longing and unspoken emotions". Its poetic lyrics about "an unfamiliar letter that led to my heart" reveal a vulnerability rarely seen in fromis_9's brighter concepts, supported by "gentle piano melody and the members' expressive vocals".

Cheese – Playful yet introspective

"Cheese" injects playfulness into the album with its "house rhythm with bass riffs on top of an addictive chorus". This quirky track uses cheese as a metaphor "to express the happiness and warmth that come from everyday moments". Its upbeat tempo masks deeper reflections on finding joy in life's simple pleasures, showcasing the group's ability to blend lighthearted concepts with meaningful messages.

Rewind – Nostalgia and reflection

Closing the album, "Rewind" perfectly encapsulates the memento box concept with its "soothing melody and thoughtful lyrics". Based on Deep House and Future House styles, the song invites listeners to reflect on cherished memories. It creates a beautiful loop effect for the album, as it "suggests starting all over again", connecting back to the opening track. The bridge section is particularly noteworthy, with "production emulating the hands of a clock going backwards", reinforcing the theme of nostalgia.

How fans and charts responded

The success of "From Our Memento Box" resonated throughout the K-pop industry, shattering previous records for fromis_9 and cementing their position as rising stars in the competitive world of girl groups.

First-week sales and chart performance

Upon release, "From Our Memento Box" immediately demonstrated its commercial power with an impressive 80,656 copies sold on its first day. This remarkable first-day performance more than doubled their previous record of 49,712 copies set by "Midnight Guest". As momentum continued to build, the album reached 107,000 copies sold after just three days, already surpassing their previous first-week sales record. Ultimately, fromis_9's fifth mini-album achieved 138,170 copies sold in its first week (June 27 to July 3), according to Hanteo Chart. This outstanding performance allowed the album to simultaneously top both Hanteo's daily and weekly album charts.

The album's impact extended well beyond Korean shores. Internationally, "From Our Memento Box" topped iTunes Top Albums charts in five regions including Finland and Singapore. Moreover, the album ranked in the top 10 in 11 different countries. The title track "Stay This Way" proved especially popular in Japan, topping the Rakuten Music real-time chart for six consecutive days.

Music show wins and fan support

"Stay This Way" brought fromis_9 unprecedented success on music shows, earning them five consecutive music show wins:

First win on "The Show" (July 5, 2022)
Second win on "Show Champion" (July 6, 2022)
Third win on "M Countdown" (July 7, 2022)
Fourth win on "Music Bank" (July 8, 2022)
Fifth win on "Music Core" (July 9, 2022)

This clean sweep across multiple music shows demonstrated both the song's widespread appeal and the dedicated support of their fanbase, known as "flover."

Why this album resonated more than previous releases

"From Our Memento Box" connected with audiences on multiple levels beyond just its catchy title track. The bittersweet reality of Jang Gyu-ri's impending departure created an emotional resonance that added depth to the album's reception. Furthermore, the group's musical evolution showcased a more refined sound while maintaining their signature bright energy. The summer-themed concept proved perfectly timed for the season, offering an ideal soundtrack for listeners seeking upbeat yet meaningful music. Overall, this perfect storm of emotional connection, musical growth, and seasonal relevance helped fromis_9 reach new heights with what would ultimately become one of their most significant and memorable releases.