Le Sserafim (stylized in all caps as LE Sserafim) is a rising South Korean girl group formed under Source Music’s guidance. The group, consisting of five talented members, Sakura, Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha, and Hong Eun-chae, made their official debut on May 2, 2022, with the release of their first extended play, “Fearless.”
The group’s name, Le Sserafim, holds a special meaning as it is an anagram of the empowering phrase, “I’m Fearless.”
Pre-debut Activities (2011–2021)
Prior to their debut, several members of Le Sserafim pursued various paths to stardom. Sakura began her journey in the entertainment industry in 2011 with an acting debut in the movie “Ano Hito Ano Hi.” Subsequently, she joined the Japanese idol group HKT48 and eventually became a full-fledged member of HKT48 Team KIV.
Sakura, Kim Chae-won, and Huh Yun-jin participated in the reality competition series “Produce 48” in 2018. While Sakura and Chaewon were chosen as members of the project girl group Iz*One, Yunjin gained recognition for her talent despite not making it into the final lineup.
Kazuha, another member of Le Sserafim, had a background in professional ballet before she was scouted by Big Hit Music founder, Bang Si-hyuk, during her studies at the Dutch National Ballet Academy in the Netherlands.
Hong Eun-chae, the final member of the group, had her own journey in the dance world, having been a student at Def Dance School before joining Source Music in 2021.
Debut and Success (2022)
The highly anticipated debut of Le Sserafim was officially announced by Source Music on March 14, 2022, with Sakura and Kim Chae-won confirmed as the first members. Their debut EP, “Fearless,” was released on May 2, 2022, and quickly gained popularity, selling over 175,000 copies on the day of its release. Eight days later, the group achieved their first music show win on SBS MTV’s “The Show.”
Amidst their initial success, the group faced controversy surrounding Kim Ga-ram, who was accused of bullying. Despite the allegations, Hybe Corporation stood by Kim and refuted the claims, allowing her to remain in the debut lineup. However, she later departed from the group in July 2022, and Le Sserafim continued as a five-member group.
Continuing Triumphs (2023)
Le Sserafim kept soaring with their second EP, “Antifragile,” released on October 17, 2022. The EP marked their first release as a five-member group and reached an impressive number 14 on the Billboard 200 chart, making them the fastest K-pop female group to debut on the chart.
Expanding their reach, the group made their debut in Japan on January 25, 2023, with the Japanese single “Fearless.” They are set to release their first studio album, “Unforgiven,” on May 1, 2023. Additionally, Le Sserafim is gearing up for their first tour, “Flame Rises,” scheduled to begin in August 2023.
Le Sserafim’s journey is nothing short of remarkable, with their music resonating with fans worldwide and their determination to succeed propelling them forward. As they continue to inspire with their fearless spirit, the future is undoubtedly bright for this talented South Korean girl group.
