This story is a part of Billboard‘s Okay-Pop Concern.
With EP titles like Fearless and Antifragile, in addition to a devoted fandom named FEARNOT, LE SSERAFIM’s model of empowered ferocity is crystal clear — and its music is rapidly connecting with audiences.
The month after its launch, Antifragile entered the Billboard 200 at No. 14 in November 2022, making LE SSERAFIM the quickest Okay-pop woman group to enter the tally, simply six months after its debut. “I’ve solely heard of the Billboard chart; I’ve by no means actually thought of charting underneath our title,” group chief Kim Chaewon says. “It gave me a transparent aim to work even tougher to chart increased subsequent time.”
That point is quick approaching: Chaewon and bandmates Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha and Hong Eunchae will launch Unforgiven, LE SSERAFIM’s first full-length, on Might 1. Recorded because the multinational outfit cut up time between promotion in South Korea and Japan (Sakura and Kazuha had been born in Japan, whereas Chaewon, Yunjin and Eunchae had been born in Korea), the album options contributions from Nile Rodgers and songwriting credit for all 5 members.
“Unforgiven is about our willpower as LE SSERAFIM to interrupt out of others’ gaze and restrictions imposed on us,” explains Eunchae, 16, who’s the youngest of the group and eight years Sakura’s junior.
“When you’ve got true ambition, I consider you maintain the ability to beat any discomfort that may maintain you again,” the New York-raised Yunjin provides. “All 5 of us have that spark in us: It’s what drives us to push our limits and combat to develop into higher folks, performers and artists. It’s additionally what has made us and continues to make us tighter and nearer as a workforce. We actually are one physique and soul.”
LISTEN TO: “Antifragile,” “Fearless,” “Bitter Grapes,” “Impurities”
This story initially appeared within the April 22, 2023, situation of Billboard.