The legendary 1st generation K-pop Queen Lee Hyori expressed her respect and affection for the vocal and performance powerhouse girl group MAMAMOO in the music documentary MAMAMOO's "Where Are We Now".

In the documentary, Lee Hyori meets MAMAMOO by the bank side to share a meal and a drink. The members reminisce and share their journey, discussing experiences from their trainee days to their current success as soloists and a group. Lee Hyori offers valuable insights and heartfelt advice during this intimate gathering.

During a special confessional shoot, Lee Hyori, alone, expresses her affection and respect for MAMAMOO. She states, "No matter how long a girl group trained for, all they do are the dances and the songs being appointed to them. There will be times when they will give out the robot kind of vibes on stage. But MAMAMOO doesn't give out that kind of vibes," echoing her previous sentiments about the group.

In a 2017 interview, three years after MAMAMOO's debut, Lee Hyori was asked about juniors that caught her eye. She responded, "Out of the many juniors, MAMAMOO shows off so much talent on stage nowadays. They sing well and have good skills. There's a difference between skill that comes from practice and talent you are born with... MAMAMOO's members are overflowing with talent. I've always known MAMAMOO would find success." She continues to express her affection and respect for the group and their undeniable talent.

Lee Hyori's predictions rang true as MAMAMOO became one of the most successful girl groups of the 3rd generation, despite originating from a small company. The relationship between Lee Hyori and the group, especially HwaSa, has grown over the years. They've participated in variety programs, tours, and shared personal time, forming a close bond off stage. Lee Hyori's support and mentorship underscore her role as a fan and a sister figure to these younger artists.

Fans of both MAMAMOO and Lee Hyori cherish the mutual respect and bond between these top performers across generations, eagerly anticipating more interactions in the future.