LE SSERAFIM's 'UNFORGIVEN': Aiming for Chart-topping Success with Unique Originality
K-pop group LE SSERAFIM (Kim Chae-won, Sakura, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha, Hong Eun-chae) has made a comeback with their first full-length album, once again stirring up a whirlwind in the music industry.
On May 1, LE SSERAFIM held an online and offline media showcase at the Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, ahead of the release of their first full-length album 'UNFORGIVEN'.
LE SSERAFIM's first full-length album 'UNFORGIVEN' has released on May 1 at 6 PM (KST). The album features a total of 13 tracks. The title track "UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)" carries a message of breaking free from the rules set by the world and following LE SSERAFIM's unique path. 'World-class' musician Nile Rodgers participated in the guitar feature, and the song samples the main theme OST of the American Western film 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly', boasting an addictive quality that draws listeners in instantly.
Before the album's release, LE SSERAFIM members shared various stories about the album, its tracks, and their determination for upcoming activities during the showcase. First, the members expressed their feelings about the comeback.
Huh Yunjin said, "We worked hard to show a performance that would exceed our fans' expectations, so please look forward to our upcoming activities."
Kim Chaewon added, "We came back after 7 months since our second mini-album. We were busy attending year-end award ceremonies, releasing our Japanese debut single, and holding fan meetings. I think we were excited and looking forward to this comeback because our fans loved our stages so much. Thank you."
Kazuha mentioned, "Time flies as this is already our second comeback. We prepared with the mindset of showing more growth and cooler sides of ourselves. We'll show you stages that surpass our fans' expectations, so please look forward to it."
Sakura shared, "I'm happy that we're making a comeback the day before our first debut anniversary. The album's release date feels meaningful. Since it's our first full-length album, we tried hard to show our growth."
Hong Eun-chae stated, "I think the emotions I felt during our first debut and comeback came back since it's our first full-length album. We prepared with love and dedication. I'm so excited and curious about how our fans will react. Please give lots of love to 'UNFORGIVEN'."
The members also explained their first full-length album. Kim Chaewon said, "The album embodies our determination to break free from the judgment of others and pave our own path as LE SSERAFIM. It consists of a total of 13 tracks, including those from our first and second mini-albums. You can also enjoy seven new songs."
Hong Eun-chae continued, "The title track and new songs connect well with the album's theme, forming a single storyline. It's an album where you can enjoy finding these connections."
Kazuha added, "The album includes various genres such as hip-hop, funk, Latin pop, and country rock. You can listen to it without getting bored."
Sakura concluded, "The last track is 'Fire in the Belly.' It's so fresh that you'll be surprised that it's LE SSERAFIM's work. It's an album that contains our new voices that we didn't even know about. Please look forward to it."
The members also shared information about the title track "UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)."
Kim Chaewon explained, "It's a song that blends hip-hop and funk rhythms. I think it's a different kind of track compared to 'FEARLESS' and 'ANTIFRAGILE'. In my opinion, it's a song that best showcases LE SSERAFIM's attitude towards the prejudices and judgments of the world."
Hong Eun-chae added, "It's a song that talks about breaking free from the rules set by the world and moving in the direction we believe is right. We were asked to sing with a laid-back attitude during the recording. The emotional line was definitely different from our previous title tracks."
With the release of 'UNFORGIVEN', LE SSERAFIM is poised to captivate fans once again with their unique sound and determination to forge their own path in the music industry.
Huh Yunjin then added, "I received a request to record it in a witty way, as if teasing someone or playing a prank. I wondered what it would feel like to break away from the rules and thought it would be nice to do it in a light-hearted, fun, and witty manner, so I tried to express it that way." LE SSERAFIM members also talked about what they would like their fans to notice in this album.
Huh Yunjin said, "In the past, when people thought of LE SSERAFIM, they thought of sharp group dances, but now each of us has our own distinct character, and I hope people will pay attention to that. I hope they would feel like playing along with us and that they would want to overcome any difficulties." Kim Chaewon added, "Since it's our first full-length album, we put a lot of effort not only into the title track but also the B-side tracks, especially Thunder Bridge. That track is a song that directly translates our previous interviews and writings into lyrics. It's a song that tells our story, so I hope you'll listen to it carefully. There are many killing parts. I'd like to aim for the modifier 'Killing Part Factory.'"
Kazuha said, "When we debuted, we had a lot of thoughts about doing what was right in front of us, but now we want to show a different side, a new side. When I heard the guide for 'UNFORGIVEN,' I was happy that the part I thought was cool became my part. I worked hard on recording it." Sakura said, "Thinking about it now, when we were practicing for 'UNFORGIVEN,' the phrase we heard the most was 'bring out your individuality in freestyle.' I hope you'll look forward to it because the song contains the charms of each member. And for the first time in LE SSERAFIM's activities, I tried rapping. I tried to give off a cool, older sister vibe, so I hope you'll watch my new challenge well."
Hong Eun-chae added, "When I first heard the guide for 'UNFORGIVEN,' I thought there was a part that was meant to be a vocal part. It became my part, so I practiced a lot on my own. I got a lot of praise from the PD on the recording day. It feels like a very meaningful song. The messages in the album and the song are so cool that I hope the listeners will think, 'Let's move forward like LE SSERAFIM.'"
Huh Yunjin and Sakura shared their thoughts on breaking the 1.38 million pre-orders for 'UNFORGIVEN.' Heo Yunjin said, "We achieved half a million sellers with pre-orders for 'FEARLESS' and 'ANTIFRAGILE.' That's an incredible record, too. We were so happy and grateful at the time. But this time, we were shocked to hear that we surpassed 1.38 million. We're grateful to our fans and will work even harder." Sakura said, "The number is more than twice as much as our previous album, so at first, I couldn't believe it. I felt proud that our fans recognized our hard work. I think it was possible because we always have members who do their best, and we will show our loving fans satisfying performances."
Regarding the possibility of hitting a million sellers consecutively with 'UNFORGIVEN,' Kim Chaewon said, "We'll do our best. I think the most important thing is to be determined to work hard, as the results will follow. We want to continue this good atmosphere and achieve good results on the music charts as well. This song is good to listen to on its own, but it's even better when you watch the performance as well. Our goal for this promotion is to reach number one on the music charts," expressing their ambitious goals.
The members of LE SSERAFIM also talked about the choreography for "UNFORGIVEN." When asked if it was as difficult as "ANTIFRAGILE," Kim Chaewon said, "Our choreography is quite well-known among our fans. This choreography is not easy either. It has a different kind of difficulty. The dance moves are not too hard, but the focus was on practicing facial expressions and emotional expressions."
Hong Eun Chae added, "There are many changes in facial expressions on stage. We go from looking cute and innocent to suddenly turning into villains. We also express feelings of being wronged before transforming into strong characters. We practiced various emotional expressions very hard." Sakura said, "Many people think of ambition and fierceness when they think of LE SSERAFIM. There is that kind of performance in this stage as well, but this time it feels more relaxed and enjoyable. I think the audience will be able to feel that."
In addition, Kazuha talked about how LE SSERAFIM released four albums in the past year, becoming known as 'hardworking icons,' and whether or not it was difficult to work on the songs. "Releasing an album whenever we have a story we want to tell and being able to communicate frequently with our fans is a great feeling. As we release more songs, people look forward to our solo concerts. We chose this path because we love music and performances, so being active makes us happy."
Heo Yunjin also shared her thoughts on producing the album's track "Bloom (Between you, me and the lamppost)." She said, "All of us participated in writing the lyrics. We wrote the lyrics thinking about our fans and the stories we wanted to tell. It's our first fan song, so we have a lot of affection for it. It's also the first song I've produced, so it's very special to me."
The members of LE SSERAFIM shared their feelings on their one-year debut anniversary. Kim Chaewon said, "I can't believe it's been a year since our debut, time has flown by so quickly. Over the past year, we've debuted and performed on stage, and it's been a year full of gratitude." She continued, "I want to take on more responsibility and work even harder."
Sakura also shared, "A year ago, I felt a lot of pressure, but now I enjoy being on stage. Through our YouTube content 'Fearless Sakura,' my variety skills and Korean language abilities have improved, and I am determined to show even more growth in the future."
During the showcase, LE SSERAFIM addressed the similarity claims between their title track, which was partially revealed earlier, and Spanish singer Rosalía's song "Chicken Teriyaki." They said, "We believe that our song and concept, which contain our own stories and messages, are unique creations and we hope that people will view them as such."
At the showcase, Kim Chaewon was asked, "Have you ever had an experience in your life where you felt you didn't need to seek forgiveness from others? If so, what lesson did you learn from that experience?" She confidently replied, "I've come to accept that there is no need to be swayed by what others say. When LE SSERAFIM debuted, I brought a lot of changes because I love trying new things. Of course, some people were unfamiliar with it at first and didn't like it. But I learned that it's important to believe in yourself and not be swayed by others' opinions. If you're confident and true to yourself, people will eventually come to understand and accept you. This experience taught me to trust myself and keep moving forward without seeking forgiveness from others."
The LE SSERAFIM members concluded the showcase by expressing their gratitude to their fans and promising to work even harder in the future. Hong Eun Chae said, "Thank you for always supporting and loving us. We'll continue to grow and show you a better side of ourselves. Please look forward to our future activities."
With their unique performances, strong vocals, and remarkable stage presence, LE SSERAFIM has already proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the K-pop scene. As they continue to evolve and bring their distinct style to the world, there is no doubt that their star will continue to shine brightly.
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