LE SSERAFIM: "We Became Stronger by Facing Our Fears... Embracing Each Other as Sisters"

Second Full Album "PUREFLOW pt.1" Released
Title Track "BOOMPALA" Samples "Macarena"
Honest Stories from the Members Across 11 Tracks
"Fearless 2.0": Embracing Fear
A Strong Sisterhood as Their Fourth Year Weapon

The group LE SSERAFIM posed ahead of an interview on the 19th at a cafe in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. (From left) Heo Yunjin, Kazuha, Sakura, Hong Eunchae. Photo by Source Music

"We who once declared that we were fearless have now learned to truly become strong by acknowledging and accepting our fears. This album is LE SSERAFIM's 'Fearless 2.0.'"

On May 22, the group LE SSERAFIM will release their second full-length album, "PUREFLOW pt.1." This is their first full album in three years since the release of "UNFORGIVEN" in 2023. In the meantime, they completed their first world tour, and with the single "Spaghetti," they quickly climbed global charts. When we met the members of LE SSERAFIM at a cafe in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the 19th, their faces reflected not the nervousness of an upcoming comeback, but rather a sense of composure and inner strength they have developed.

Since their debut with "Fearless," in which they declared not to be swayed by others' opinions, the group has chosen "change" and "growth" as the key themes for this album. The title "PUREFLOW" was inspired by a phrase from the classic novel "Frankenstein." Originally, the phrase symbolizing the team was "I am fearless, therefore I am powerful," but it has been reinterpreted as, "We are not people without fear, therefore we are even stronger."

Heo Yunjin said, "In the past, we shouted that we were strong because we were fearless, but after performing on countless stages, I realized that fear is a necessary step for growth." She added, "I personally suggested the album title 'PUREFLOW' by rearranging the letters in 'POWERFUL.'" Instead of denying fear, LE SSERAFIM now defines strength as embracing fear as it is and moving forward.

The title track "BOOMPALA" is, paradoxically, a cheerful and exciting song born from heavy contemplation. Based on the Latin house genre, it samples the 1990s global hit "Macarena." With an easy-to-follow dance paired with a rhythm familiar to everyone, the song lightheartedly blows away the stress and anxiety of modern life with its upbeat energy.

Beneath the bright dance track lies the Buddhist concepts of Emptiness (Sunyata) and Nothingness as described in the Heart Sutra. Kazuha explained, "In a rapidly changing world, I often feel loneliness or anxiety. But in the end, even the fears we feel are just illusions without a fixed reality," adding, "The teaching that nothing is eternal resonated with me, and through the mantra 'BOOMPALA,' we wanted to encourage listeners not to be trapped by unnecessary thoughts, but to enjoy the present and keep moving forward."

The choreography and music video also reflect the song's message. Directed by Lee Hyein, the music video offers surreal visuals, such as anxiety transforming into rhythm through meditation and festival scenes atop parade floats. The members interpret breaking free from fear through intuitive movements that blend repetition and pauses.

The members' participation in album production is also notable. All five members actively contributed their opinions from the planning stage and filled the 11 tracks with their honest stories. The pre-released lead single "CELEBRATION," which dropped on April 24, features contributions from Kim Chaewon and Heo Yunjin. Mixing melodic techno and hardstyle, the track powerfully celebrates the moment of gaining inner strength to face fear.

"Irony," which Heo Yunjin worked on after being inspired at a songwriting camp last summer, is a baile funk-style track. She explained, "Rather than desperately clinging to the perfect image I had long pursued, I found that letting it slip away like grains of sand brought a sense of lightness and liberation."

LE SSERAFIM 2nd Full-Length Album Concept Photo. Provided by Source Music

Sakura said, "We focused on infusing LE SSERAFIM's unique style into a variety of genres." She continued, "Inspired by John Koenig's book 'The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows,' I wrote the pop track 'Sonder,' which depicts another person's universe; the dance-pop song 'Saki,' featuring globally recognized Gen Z rapper Aliyah Interlude; and the rock-based track 'Creatures,' which expresses our choice of freedom in the face of oppressive gazes. Each track received our special attention." There is also a skit track, "Liminal Space," which captures the members' authentic conversations during car rides.

The driving force that helped them overcome fear under the spotlight is the strong "sisterhood" among the members. They confessed that they felt true solidarity not when they were happy, but when they revealed their most shameful and vulnerable sides to one another.

Heo Yunjin recalled a day last year when she was preparing for an end-of-year awards show. During practice, she was suddenly overwhelmed by fear and anxiety and ended up in tears. "I was scared that others would notice I was afraid to go on stage, so I just wanted to hide by myself," she revealed. "But when I mustered the courage to share my feelings with the members, everyone understood. By honestly exposing my weak points and receiving their comfort, I gained the power to overcome and become stronger."

Sakura, who grew up as an only child and initially found it unfamiliar to live like sisters with others, nodded in agreement. She said, "We see each other more often than family, even when we want alone time. Instead of trying to force each other to change, we've chosen to acknowledge our differences as they are. Once we found that approach, we truly became sisters."

This sisterhood is also reflected in tracks like "How Can We Get Even Closer" and "Trust Exercise." These songs express, in honest language, the desire to bridge differences in personality and communication style and slowly draw closer, much like a cat's cautious affection.

It has now been four years since their debut. LE SSERAFIM is preparing for their second world tour, which begins in July. The tour will include many European cities, including Amsterdam in the Netherlands, where Kazuha once studied ballet. Kazuha shared her excitement, saying, "It's a special feeling to return to places full of memories from my student days, this time with my LE SSERAFIM members."

Heo Yunjin vowed, "The most frightening moments are when I lose confidence in myself, but I will turn that emotion into the driving force for my growth." She added, "At debut, I knew nothing and just ran forward with all my energy. Four years later, I have learned to make eye contact with the members and enjoy the stage. Whenever I meet fans who have supported us unwaveringly from before our debut and throughout these four years, I feel a great sense of responsibility. If anyone is struggling with anxiety or loneliness, I hope our music gives them the courage to face it head-on with confidence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.