Le Sserafim (/lə ˈsɛrəfɪm/ lə SERR-ə-fim;[4] Korean: 르세라핌; RR: Reuserapim; stylized in all caps) is a South Korean girl group formed by Source Music. The group consists of five members: Sakura, Kim Chaewon, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae.
Le Sserafim | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background information | |||||||
Origin | Seoul, South Korea | ||||||
Genres | K-pop | ||||||
Years active | 2022–present | ||||||
Labels | |||||||
Members | |||||||
Past members | Garam | ||||||
Website | Official website | ||||||
Korean name | |||||||
Hangul | 르세라핌 | ||||||
| |||||||
Japanese name | |||||||
Katakana | ル・セラフィム | ||||||
|
Le Sserafim debuted on May 2, 2022, with the extended play Fearless, which broke the record for the highest-selling debut album by a K-pop girl group in first-day sales. It was followed in October with their second extended play, Antifragile, which became the group's first release to sell over a million copies and made them the fastest K-pop girl group to debut on the US Billboard 200. Both EPs' title tracks reached the top ten of South Korea's Circle Digital Chart and were certified platinum for streaming in South Korea and Japan.
Le Sserafim's first studio album, Unforgiven (2023), marked their first number-one album on the Circle Album Chart and their first top-ten album on the Billboard 200. The album's singles "Unforgiven" and "Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard's Wife" peaked at number two in South Korea and were certified gold for streaming in Japan. The group's first English single "Perfect Night" (2023) became their first number-one song on the Circle Digital Chart, topping the chart for six weeks. In 2024, Le Sserafim earned their second number-one album in South Korea and top-ten album on the Billboard 200 with their third extended play Easy. The EP's title track was their first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Name
The group's name, Le Sserafim, is an anagram of the phrase "I'm Fearless"[5] as well as a reference to the heavenly beings with six wings, seraphim.[6]
History
2011–2021: Pre-debut activities
Sakura made her acting debut in the movie Ano Hito Ano Hi in 2011.[7][unreliable source?] That year, she joined the Japanese idol group HKT48 as a first generation trainee. She was promoted to a full member of HKT48 Team H in 2012 and transferred to HKT48 Team KIV in 2014. After being with the group for 10 years, Sakura officially graduated on June 27, 2021.[8][9]
Sakura, Kim Chaewon and Huh Yunjin participated in the reality competition series Produce 48 in 2018.[10][11][12] Yunjin represented Pledis Entertainment, which at the time was not owned by Hybe Corporation, Source Music's parent company, while Chaewon represented Woollim Entertainment, her former label.[13][14] After finishing in second and tenth place, respectively, Sakura and Chaewon were named to the final lineup of the show's project girl group Iz*One,[15] promoting as members until its disbandment on April 29, 2021.[16][17] Yunjin finished in 26th place and was eliminated in episode 11.[18]
Prior to joining the group, Kazuha trained as a professional ballerina. After passing an audition, she was personally scouted by Big Hit Music founder Bang Si-hyuk during her studies at Dutch National Ballet Academy in the Netherlands.[19] Kazuha also previously attended the Bolshoi Academy in Moscow, Russia and the Royal Ballet School in the United Kingdom.[20]
Hong Eunchae was a student at Def Dance School for two years. She previously auditioned for JYP Entertainment and Pledis Entertainment before joining Source Music in 2021.[21]
2022: Fearless, Kim Garam's departure, and Antifragile
On March 14, Source Music announced that they would launch a new girl group, with Miyawaki Sakura and Kim Chaewon set to be the first members.[22][23] On March 21, Hybe confirmed the group would officially debut in May.[24] The members were revealed in "The First Moment of Le Sserafim" teasers from April 4 to April 9 (in order: Sakura,[25] Kim Garam,[26] Hong Eunchae,[27] Kim Chaewon,[28] Kazuha,[29] and Huh Yunjin).[30] On April 13, Source Music announced that Le Sserafim would release their debut extended play (EP) Fearless, on May 2.[31] Pre-orders for the EP surpassed 270,000 copies in seven days and 380,000 copies in sixteen days.[32] On the day of its release, Fearless sold more than 175,000 copies.[33] On May 10, eight days after their debut, the group earned their first music show win on SBS MTV's The Show.[34]
Prior to the group's debut, Kim Garam became a subject of controversy. She was accused of bullying other students at her middle school and engaging in underage smoking and drinking. Hybe Corporation denied the allegations, claiming that Kim was the victim, not the perpetrator of bullying. They expressed that they would take legal action against those who spread false rumors, and Kim was not removed from the debut lineup.[35] On May 20, Hybe Corporation and Source Music issued a joint statement regarding Kim Garam's bullying allegations, announcing that she would take a hiatus due to the pending investigations and that Le Sserafim would temporarily promote as a five-member group.[36] On July 20, the companies announced that Kim Garam would depart from the group and that her contract had been terminated, with Le Sserafim to continue as a five-member group.[37][35]
Le Sserafim released their second EP, Antifragile, on October 17. It marked their first release as five members, following Kim Garam's departure.[38] The album reached number 14 on the Billboard 200, making Le Sserafim the fastest K-pop girl group to debut on the chart.[39] On November 24, Hybe released a webtoon, titled Crimson Heart, based on the group's message to "advance without fear" through the platform Webtoon.[40]
2023: Japanese debut and Unforgiven
On January 25, 2023, Le Sserafim made their debut in Japan with the release of the Japanese single Fearless.[41] It contained Japanese versions of "Fearless" and "Blue Flame", along with an original Japanese song, "Choices".[42] "Choices" served as the theme song for Japanese drama 3000 Yen: How to Enrich Life.[43] On March 16, 2023, Source Music reported that Le Sserafim would be making a comeback in early May.[44] On April 3, they announced their first studio album, Unforgiven,[45] which was released on May 1.[46] In June, it was announced the group would embark on their first tour, Flame Rises, beginning in August.[47] On July 25, the group released their second original Japanese song "Jewelry" from their second Japanese single, Unforgiven.[48] The single, released on August 23, also featured Japanese versions of "Unforgiven" and "Antifragile".[49]
On October 12, Source Music announced that the group would be releasing their first English-language digital single, "Perfect Night" on October 27 in collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment to promote Overwatch 2.[50][51] An in-game event featuring cosmetics and game modes themed after the group ran from November 1 to November 20. The group performed at BlizzCon on November 4. On November 19, the group released "Dresscode", which serves as the theme song for the Japanese live-action television series adaptation of the manga series Sexy Tanaka-san.[52]
2024–present: Easy, Coachella and Crazy
On January 22, 2024, it was confirmed that Le Sserafim would release their third EP Easy on February 19.[53] The English versions for the lead single of the same name and "Smart" were released on February 23 and March 22, respectively.[54][55] In April 2024, the group performed at Coachella with Nile Rodgers, where they debuted a new song titled "1-800-Hot-N-Fun".[56] The group confirmed in late June 2024 that a comeback was scheduled in August 2024.[57] On July 10, the music-themed Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, California announced that a special K-pop exhibit will take place in August 2024, displaying the accessories and performance gear worn by artists under Hybe, including Illit, Le Sserafim, Fromis 9, and BTS.[58]
On August 5, it was announced that Le Sserafim would be releasing their fourth extended play titled Crazy on August 30.[59] The English version and various remixes for the lead single of the same name, including a collaboration with American performer Dashaun Wesley, were released on September 2.[60] On September 4, a lead single remix featuring English singer PinkPantheress was released, followed by another lead single remix with French producer David Guetta on September 9.[61][62] On September 11, Le Sserafim performed "Crazy" and "1-800-Hot-N-Fun" at their first-ever MTV Video Music Awards and won the PUSH Performance of the Year award for "Easy".[63][64] The group's third Japanese single Crazy would be released on December 11.[65]
Members
Current
- Sakura (사쿠라)
- Kim Chaewon (김채원) – leader[28]
- Huh Yunjin (허윤진)
- Kazuha (카즈하)
- Hong Eunchae (홍은채)
Former
- Kim Garam (김가람) (2022)
Endorsements
In March 2023, Le Sserafim revealed to be 'Vita 500 Zero' model.[66] In May 2023, Le Sserafim joined as a model for Goobne's product.[67] On October 13, 2023, Le Sserafim was selected as Louis Vuitton House Ambassadors.[68]
On June 3, 2024, Jim Beam launched a global campaign called 'Enjoy it, our way!' with Le Sserafim.[69] In September, Sony selected Le Sserafim as their Global Ambassador,[70] and Le Sserafim also became the Global Ambassador for Gelato Pique.[71] That same month, after the release of Crazy, Le Sserafim collaborated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Empire State Building to light up the building up in "fearless blue".[72][73]
Discography
- Unforgiven (2023)
Videography
Music videos
Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
"Fearless" | 2022 | Guzza (Kudo) | [74] |
"Antifragile" | Soonsik Yang | [75] | |
"Impurities" | Jihye Yoon (Lumpens) | [76] | |
"Fearless" (Japanese ver.) | 2023 | Soonsik Yang | [77] |
"Unforgiven" (featuring Nile Rodgers) |
[78] | ||
"Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard's Wife" | Jihye Yoon (Lumpens) | [79] | |
"Unforgiven" (Japanese ver.) (featuring Nile Rodgers, Ado) |
Soonsik Yang | [80] | |
"Perfect Night" | Woogie Kim | [81] | |
"Easy" | 2024 | Nina McNeely | [82] |
"Smart" | Yong Seok Choi (Lumpens) | [83] | |
"Crazy" | Yunah Sheep | [84] | |
"Crazy" (English ver.) | Guzza (Kudo) | [85] |
Other videos
Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
"Fearless Trailer 'The World Is My Oyster'" | 2022 | Soonsik Yang | [86] |
"Antifragile Trailer 'The Hydra'" | NDVisual | [87] | |
"Unforgiven Trailer 'Burn the Bridge'" | 2023 | Woogie Kim | [88] |
"Easy Trailer 'Good Bones'" | 2024 | Kwanggoeng Yu | [89] |
"Crazy Trailer 'Chasing Lightning'" | Boseung Kim, Jaedon Lee (Studio Bone) | [90] |
Filmography
Web shows
Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2022–present | Le Play | Behind the scenes shorts of the members' activities | [91][unreliable source?] |
Episode | Behind the scenes of the members' activities | [92][unreliable source?] | |
Fim-Log | Vlog content of the members | [93][94][unreliable source?] | |
2022 | Day Off | Reality show series | [95] |
2022–present | Leniverse | Weekly variety shows | [96][97][unreliable source?] |
2022 | Le Sserafim – The World Is My Oyster | Documentary on the group's predebut period | [98] |
2023 | Day Off 2 in Jeju | Reality show series | [99] |
Day Off 3 Vacance | [100] | ||
2024 | Day Off 4 in Japan | [101] | |
Le Sserafim – Make It Look Easy | Documentary on the group's journey in the past year | [102] |
Tours
Le Sserafim Tour "Flame Rises"
Date (2023) | City | Country | Venue | Attendance | Revenue |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 12 | Seoul | South Korea | Jamsil Arena[103] | 10,500[103] | $7,900,000[104] |
August 13 | |||||
August 23 | Nagoya | Japan | Nippon Gaishi Hall | 60,000[105] | |
August 24 | |||||
August 30 | Tokyo | Yoyogi National Gymnasium | |||
August 31 | |||||
September 6 | Osaka | Osaka-jō Hall | |||
September 7 | |||||
September 30 | Hong Kong | China | AsiaWorld–Expo Hall 10[106] | — | |
October 1 | |||||
October 3 | Jakarta | Indonesia | Jakarta International Expo[107] | — |
Cancelled shows | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date (2023) | City | Country | Venue | Reason | Ref. | |
October 7 | Bangkok | Thailand | Thunder Dome | Cancelled due to members' health.[108] | [109] | |
October 8 |
Awards and nominations
Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee(s)/work(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asia Artist Awards | 2022 | Best Musician Award | Le Sserafim | Won | [110] |
Rookie of the Year – Music | Won | ||||
DCM Popularity Award – Female Singer | Nominated | [111] | |||
Idolplus Popularity Award – Music | Nominated | [112] | |||
2023 | Popularity Award – Singer (Female) | Nominated | [113] | ||
Asian Pop Music Awards[upper-alpha 1] | 2023 | Top 20 Songs of the Year (Overseas) | "Unforgiven" (featuring Nile Rodgers) | Won | [115] |
Record of the Year (Overseas) | Nominated | [116] | |||
Circle Chart Music Awards | 2023 | Artist of the Year – Global Digital Music (May) | "Fearless" | Won | [117] |
Artist of the Year – Global Digital Music (October) | "Antifragile" | Won | [118] | ||
New Artist of the Year – Digital | "Fearless" | Nominated | [119] | ||
New Artist of the Year – Physical | Antifragile | Nominated | |||
2024 | Artist of the Year – Digital | "Unforgiven" (featuring Nile Rodgers) | Won | [120] | |
Artist of the Year – Streaming Unique Listeners | Won | ||||
Artist of the Year – Global Streaming | Nominated | [121] | |||
Mubeat Global Choice Award – Female | Le Sserafim | Nominated | [122] | ||
The Fact Music Awards | 2022 | Next Leader Award | Won | [123] | |
Fan N Star Choice Award (Artist) | Nominated | [124] | |||
Four Star Awards | Nominated | [125] | |||
Idolplus Popularity Award | Nominated | [126] | |||
2023 | Best Music – Summer | "Unforgiven" (featuring Nile Rodgers) | Nominated | [127] | |
Idolplus Popularity Award | Le Sserafim | Nominated | [128] | ||
Genie Music Awards | 2022 | Best Female Rookie Award | Nominated | [129] | |
Golden Disc Awards | 2023 | Rookie Artist of the Year | Won | [130] | |
Best Digital Song (Bonsang) | "Fearless" | Nominated | [131] | ||
2024 | Best Album (Bonsang) | Unforgiven | Won | [132] | |
Best Digital Song (Bonsang) | "Unforgiven" (featuring Nile Rodgers) | Won | |||
Album of the Year (Daesang) | Unforgiven | Nominated | |||
Song of the Year (Daesang) | "Unforgiven" (featuring Nile Rodgers) | Nominated | |||
Most Popular Artist (Female) | Le Sserafim | Nominated | [133] | ||
Hanteo Music Awards | 2024 | Artist of the Year (Bonsang) | Won | [134] | |
K-Global Heart Dream Awards | 2022 | K-Global Best Music Video Award | Won | [135] | |
K-Global Super Rookie Award | Won | ||||
2023 | K Global Best Music Award | Won | [136] | ||
Korea First Brand Awards[upper-alpha 2] | 2023 | Best Rookie Idol (Female) | Won | [137] | |
Korean Music Awards | 2023 | Rookie of the Year | Nominated | [138] | |
Best K-Pop Song | "Antifragile" | Nominated | |||
Best K-Pop Album | Antifragile | Nominated | |||
MAMA Awards | 2022 | Favorite New Artist | Le Sserafim | Won | [139] |
Artist of the Year | Nominated | [140] | |||
Best Dance Performance Female Group | "Fearless" | Nominated | |||
Best New Female Artist | Le Sserafim | Nominated | |||
Song of the Year | "Fearless" | Nominated | |||
Worldwide Fans' Choice Top 10 | Le Sserafim | Nominated | |||
2023 | Favorite Dance Performance Female Group | Won | [141] | ||
Album of the Year | Unforgiven | Nominated | [142] | ||
Artist of the Year | Le Sserafim | Nominated | |||
Best Dance Performance Female Group | "Unforgiven" (featuring Nile Rodgers) | Nominated | |||
Best Female Group | Le Sserafim | Nominated | |||
Song of the Year | "Unforgiven" (featuring Nile Rodgers) | Nominated | |||
Worldwide Fans' Choice Top 10 | Le Sserafim | Nominated | |||
Melon Music Awards | 2022 | Best Performance – Female | Won | [143] | |
Hot Trend Award | Won | ||||
Artist of the Year | Nominated | [144] | |||
Best New Artist | Nominated | ||||
Netizen Popularity Award | Nominated | ||||
Top 10 Artist Award | Nominated | ||||
2023 | Millions Top 10 Artist | Unforgiven | Won | [145] | |
Top 10 Artist Award | Le Sserafim | Won | |||
Album of the Year | Unforgiven | Nominated | [146] | ||
Artist of the Year | Le Sserafim | Nominated | |||
Best Female Group | Nominated | ||||
Favorite Star Award | Nominated | ||||
Song of the Year | "Unforgiven" (featuring Nile Rodgers) | Nominated | |||
MTV Europe Music Awards | 2024 | Best K-Pop | Le Sserafim | Pending | [147] |
Best New | Pending | ||||
Best Push | Pending | ||||
MTV Video Music Awards | 2024 | Push Performance of the Year | "Easy" | Won | [148] |
Seoul Music Awards | 2023 | Rookie of the Year | Le Sserafim | Won | [149] |
Popularity Award | Nominated | [150] | |||
Hallyu Special Award | Nominated | ||||
2024 | Main Award (Bonsang) | Nominated | [151] | ||
Popularity Award | Nominated | ||||
Hallyu Special Award | Nominated |
Listicles
Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Forbes | 2023 | 30 Under 30 – Asia (Entertainment & Sports) | Placed | [152] |
Notes
- Hosted by the Hong Kong Asia Pacific International Group and Sunway Records, the Asian Pop Music Awards bases its winners on the "Asian Pop Music Chart" which opened in September 2019.[114]
- The 2023 Korea First Brand Awards selected promising brands that are predicted to lead in the year 2023 based on criteria such as consumption trend analysis, extensive nationwide consumer surveys, and evaluation by experts.[137]
References
External links
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.