LE SSERAFIM is the newest artist in Billboard Japan’s month-to-month characteristic interview collection which presents numerous artists and works which have caught its eye. Making its debut in Could 2022, they’re the primary lady group produced by SOURCE MUSIC and HYBE, the label behind BTS and numerous different international artists.
In January of this yr, LE SSERAFIM launched their first Japanese single, “FEARLESS,” and held a showcase occasion to commemorate it. In Could, the group launched its 1st studio album, UNFORGIVEN. The album took the highest place on Billboard Japan‘s “Sizzling Albums” total album chart, the “High Albums Gross sales” weekly album gross sales chart, and the “Obtain Albums” chart.
A Japanese model of the album’s title observe, “UNFORGIVEN,” was launched in August as their second Japanese single. “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers, Ado) -Japanese ver.-” options Ado, and a Japan-exclusive observe, “Jewellery (Prod. imase)” was produced by imase, producing buzz in Japan. Billboard Japan spoke to LE SSERAFIM about what’s occurred within the yr since their debut, their well-received album and newest single, and their first solo tour. (As a result of scheduling points, HUH YUNJIN was not ready to participate within the interview with the remainder of the group and was interviewed on her personal at a later date.)
It’s been roughly a yr since your debut. May you inform us the place every of you thinks you’ve achieved essentially the most private development over the course of this yr?
KAZUHA: My best development has been in how a lot my Korean has improved.
What about you, KIM CHAEWON?
KIM CHAEWON: Earlier than our debut, and proper after our debut, I wasn’t but in the fitting way of thinking to take pleasure in myself whereas I used to be acting on stage. Now, although, I’ve develop into comfy sufficient to have enjoyable on stage. I believe that’s an space the place I’ve grown so much.
May you discuss a bit about what makes LE SSERAFIM distinctive and what your strengths are?
SAKURA: A number of our lyrics are based mostly on our precise life experiences, so I believe our songs can encourage and resonate with people who find themselves going by comparable experiences. I believe our energy lies in the truth that we sing about our philosophy of how one can reside your life.
What about your reside performances?
KIM CHAEWON: Once we stand up on stage, we attempt to create a reside present along with all of our followers, as a gaggle effort. For instance, we put in name & response sections in order that the viewers can reply.
In Could, you launched your first studio album, UNFORGIVEN. I’ve heard that you simply recorded a number of of the songs in Japan. Did you could have any insights or discoveries in the course of the recording course of?
SAKURA: On this album, there have been lots of songs in genres that I didn’t have a lot expertise with, for instance, “Hearth within the stomach” which has lots of Latin-influenced sounds. So after we have been recording, I found new voices I didn’t know I had. Generally it was arduous, however I believe with UNFORGIVEN, listeners will have the ability to take pleasure in all types of genres by the complete album.
What did you do to arrange for recording?
KAZUHA: We started recording “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)” in Japan, and my method was to sing the opening phrases “Unforgiven, I’m a villain, I’m a” in a sort of darkish, cool manner. However I received some recommendation to attempt singing it with a little bit of a lighter tone, and once I tried it out, the producer was additionally like, “proper there, that’s it.” That half sticks with you, and the producer stated he wished to make it an addictive hook, so I’m glad I used to be in a position to pull off that half so properly. I believe the recording of this album allowed me to expertise the very best recording course of, regardless of the time limitations we have been below.
KIM CHAEWON: We didn’t have that a lot time for recording, so I took lots of care to verify my voice was in its finest situation.
HONG EUNCHAE: I sang a considerably lengthy half in “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers).” It was my first time doing that, and I wished to do rather well, so I practiced to point out the most effective model of myself.
I really feel like your first studio album, UNFORGIVEN, was made with this need to pave your personal manner, with out being held again by how different folks see you or what they assume. The album has gained help from lots of followers and reached the highest of the hit charts. What do you assume which means for you and the way do you’re feeling in regards to the response to the album?
KIM CHAEWON: Our objective wasn’t breaking into the charts after we have been getting ready for the recording. We simply wished to do what we may and to specific ourselves by music. That’s what we have been targeted on after we made the album. We figured that folks would see what we achieved and recognition would observe.
SAKURA: UNFORGIVEN dropped the day earlier than we celebrated our first anniversary, and you may see the arduous work we put in over the course of that yr. Lots of people found us by “ANTIFRAGILE,” and I believe the expectations folks had for us had a very good impression on us. The actual take a look at might be the place we go from right here. I need us to proceed making the sort of music that solely we are able to.
HUH YUNJIN: I can really feel the love that so many individuals have for our songs and performances, and I’m so glad that the message we’re attempting to share is reaching folks. I need us to be a group that has a optimistic affect on individuals who see us carry out, serving to them courageously be part of palms and maintain pushing ahead.
May you discuss a bit about your second Japanese single, “UNFORGIVEN?” One of many songs on the only is a Japan-exclusive produced by imase titled “Jewellery (Prod. imase)” What are the highlights of this tune?
KIM CHAEWON: The lyrics are lovely. A number of LE SSERAFIM songs have a cool, refined ambiance, however “Jewellery (Prod. imase)” is a vivid, cheery tune.
SAKURA: I believe it’s an actual ear-pleaser, good for listening to on late-night drives. A number of LE SSERAFIM songs are rap-oriented songs, however after we recorded this tune we tried to make our voices actually shine.
KAZUHA: Normally, throughout recording, I break issues down very exactly, like, “on this half, I’ll do that, and on this half, I’ll do that.” With “Jewellery (Prod. imase),” although, I simply felt the vitality and had a blast singing.
HONG EUNCHAE: The phrase “glowing” seems a couple of occasions within the lyrics, and once I sang the tune I envisioned lovely, glowing scenes and vibed as I sang.
HUH YUNJIN: I really like the town pop style, and each the music and lyrics are fantastic.
The title tune, “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers, Ado) -Japanese ver.-” options the Japanese singer Ado. How did you’re feeling when the choice was made to collaborate together with her?
HONG EUNCHAE: I knew that Ado was a really well-known artist, so I couldn’t consider it once I discovered she’d be collaborating on one in every of our songs.
KAZUHA: Ado has a really distinctive singing voice, so I used to be excited to listen to how she’d sound on her collaboration with us.
HUH YUNJIN: It was so surprising, I couldn’t consider it. I keep in mind being impressed with what a beautiful artist Ado was the primary time I heard her. I by no means anticipated to have the ability to work together with her.
You began your first solo tour, 2023 LE SSERAFIM TOUR ‘FLAME RISES,’ with a efficiency in Seoul on August 12. In Japan, you performed in Nagoya, Tokyo, and Osaka. The place did the “FLAME RISES” within the tour identify come from?
SAKURA: It refers to us burning the trail we walked behind us so there can be no going again, our solely selection can be to maintain going ahead. It’s additionally as a result of we wished to placed on a blazing scorching present.
What has the response been like?
KIM CHAEWON: Even earlier than we debuted, we had our eyes set on placing on concert events. I used to be so glad to have the ability to placed on our first LE SSERAFIM tour. I’ve had a tough time even believing it. We’re ensuring to take excellent care of our well being, and hopefully we are able to deliver the tour to a profitable conclusion.
SAKURA: A number of concert events finish with a quiet, soulful tune, however we’re ending our concert events with a extremely thrilling tune that will get the viewers amped up. Just like the picture evoked by our tour identify, “FLAME RISES,” we wish to be on fireplace up on stage. At our exhibits, we’ve seen the viewers having fun with the present with each fiber of their being, so it’s been a thrill for us, too.
HUH YUNJIN: It’s been so enjoyable. I’m so grateful that folks have taken outing of their busy schedules to return see us. I need us to maintain having fun with ourselves in our exhibits, staying wholesome and placing on spectacular performances.
Do you could have any remaining message for our readers or your followers?
KIM CHAEWON: I hope you place our second Japanese single, “UNFORGIVEN,” on heavy rotation, and in case you come to one in every of our exhibits, I hope you could have the time of your life.
SAKURA: I’m so glad to have the ability to expertise first-hand the love folks really feel for our music. We’re going to maintain placing on nice exhibits for the remainder of this tour, after which obtain even additional development in preparation for our subsequent tour, so we sit up for your ongoing help.