'HYBE’s first girl group' Le Sserafim makes its much-anticipated debut

K-pop

Published: 02 May. 2022, 17:23 Updated: 02 May. 2022, 18:51

'HYBE’s first girl group' Le Sserafim makes its much-anticipated debut

Girl group Le Sserafim performs during its debut showcase on May 2 at the Jangchung Arena in central Seoul. [SOURCE MUSIC]

Girl group Le Sserafim, one of this year’s most-anticipated K-pop debuts, held its first showcase on Monday at the Jangchung Arena in central Seoul.

Dubbed “HYBE’s first girl group,” Le Sserafim is produced by Source Music, a label under the K-pop powerhouse known for boy band BTS.

Bang Si-hyuk — HYBE’s founder and mastermind behind BTS — participated in producing the title song “Fearless” and fourth track “The Great Mermaid” on the group’s first EP “Fearless,” which was released on the same day. The EP consists of five tracks in total.

The group of six is made up of Miyawaki Sakura, Kim Ga-ram, Kim Chae-won, Hong Eun-chae, Kazuha and Huh Yun-jin. Each member was revealed one by one in early April.

Sakura and Kim Chae-won are already well-known in the K-pop scene as former members of girl group IZ*ONE, a project girl group formed by the 12 finalists of Mnet’s hit idol audition program “Produce 48” (2018). Huh was also a contestant on “Produce 48."

“Our group name Le Sserafim is an anagram of ‘I’m fearless,’” said Sakura. “It’s even more special to us because producer Bang came up with the name himself.”

Le Sserafim performs during its debut showcase on May 2. [SOURCE MUSIC]

Source Music was also the producers of now-disbanded girl group GFriend (2015-21), another factor that raised K-pop fans’ expectations on what the agency has to offer with Le Sserafim.

“It would be a lie to say we didn’t feel pressure from the attention,” Sakura continued. “At the same time, we are so thankful for the attention. Us members and the production team told each other that instead of being too conscious of how other people see us, we should just show ourselves as we are.”

“I had a lot of thoughts when I chose a different path from ballet,” said Kazuha, who studied ballet in the Netherlands for 15 years. “Other members had their own concerns too. We talked about how we should convey these stories we have on the album."

BTS’s visual director Kim Sung-hyun is behind Le Sserafim’s album visuals.

“When I was told BTS’s visual director was going to be in charge of our debut album’s visuals, it felt surreal,” said Kim Ga-ram. “I thought to myself, I have to do this well.”

As of Friday, “Fearless” had sold over 380,000 copies in presales alone — an exceptional record especially for a girl group that had not yet debuted.

“When the news about the presales came out, Sakura was the first one to post it on our group chat,” said Kim Ga-ram. “We were all ecstatic, bombarding the chat with emojis.”

“I was up early that morning and saw the article,” Sakura laughed. “I sent the link to the group chat and then to my parents. I thank our fans so much.”

Le Sserafim poses during its debut showcase on May 2. [SOURCE MUSIC]

The group performed its debut song “Fearless” on stage. With a repetitive hook chanting “Whatchu looking at,” the number exudes a powerful yet carefree energy. Part of the impressive choreography routine, which starts with all members lying on the floor side by side, was created by the members.

Kim Chae-won and Huh also contributed to the lyrics of the EP’s third track “Blue Flame” and expressed their ambitions to participate in the production process in the future.

“We talked a lot with the production team about what story we want to tell,” Kim Chae-won said. “We were told that this album is about our story and to confidently say what we have to say. I’m glad I was able to get my name in the credits of our debut album.”

Monday marked Sakura's third debut, following her debut in 2011 as a member of Japanese girl group HKT48 and in 2018 as part of IZ*ONE.

“It’s my third time debuting, but I felt a lot of pressure,” she said. “I wanted to do well, and even felt a bit of fear. But I believe pressure is what makes people keep growing. I’m going to do my best, and I really want to receive a new artist award this year, since it’s something we can receive only once as a group.”

Le Sserafim performs during its debut showcase on May 2. [SOURCE MUSIC]

Kim Ga-ram has been the center of attention since earlier this month when multiple bullying accusations against her surfaced. Photos from her middle school days posing with sexually explicit doodles and obscene hand gestures also led to a publicity crisis. Amid criticism, as well as encouragement from fans, HYBE immediately shot down the bullying allegations.

“We are currently discussing this matter within the company and responding accordingly,” Kim Chae-won took the mic as the group’s leader when asked about the controversy. “It may not be appropriate for us to talk about it here. We will have opportunities to tell you about it in the future.”

“I ask for your understanding that it’s difficult for me to say something about that,” Kim Ga-ram added. “I will show my hard work in Le Sserafim.”

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]