(Picture credit score: Agata Serge)
You do not have to be conversant in Korean pop music (or Okay-pop) to know its magnitude. Teams reminiscent of BTS and BLACKPINK have dominated world charts and expanded their fervent fan bases because of snappy music, eye-catching aesthetics, and shockingly synchronized choreography. As with every billion-dollar business, there’s stiff competitors, however that makes success all of the extra extraordinary. When success snowballs into world stardom, nicely, that is a far-off dream that few have reached. LE SSERAFIM will quickly be amongst them.
LE SSERAFIM is a five-person lady group that has all the trimmings of a profitable Okay-pop act and extra. I am connecting with the members through video name, and because the black display screen lights up, I am met with 5 expectant faces—Kim Chaewon, Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae. They’re contemporary off their first-ever efficiency at Coachella (I am catching them between weekends one and two), and in the event that they’re drained from a schedule chock-full of rehearsals, fittings, and radio and TV interviews, they do not present it. In actual fact, they’ve a fresh-faced confidence about them. Though they fluctuate of their assorted streetwear seems, every member has clear, glowing pores and skin and minimal make-up. Chaewon has her hair minimize into a stylish bob. Sakura has lengthy, icy-blonde lengths flowing over her shoulders. Eunchae has an effortless-looking, beachy texture to her darkish hair. Yunjin has vibrant purple strands that stand out on the display screen. Final however not least, Kazuha has opted for a easy, simple claw-clip type.
As they’re sitting collectively on a few couches within the studio the place our cowl shoot is about to happen, you’d assume they had been an extraordinary group of associates, and in a approach, they’re. Seeing them work together on this approach—off-stage and out of the highlight—I would by no means guess that they’ve solely been a gaggle for such a short while, having made their official debut in Could 2022. “We actually felt like a workforce from the beginning I believe, however as time goes on, we additionally really feel like household,” Yunjin says. “There’s a lot that clicks between us that it is form of laborious to wrap my head round the truth that we’re all collectively and folks like [my groupmates] really exist. It is actually particular.”
(Picture credit score: Agata Serge; Styling: On Kim Chaewon: No.21 prime and skirt; Commando bandeau; Vanessa Schindler earrings; On Kazuha: Rick Owens gown; Vanessa Schindler earrings)
Turning into a Okay-pop artist—or “idol” as is the technical time period in Korea—would not occur in a single day. Every member of the group took a separate path to the identical stage. After particular person coaching durations (sure, Okay-pop idols undergo formal coaching that may contain years of rigorous singing, dancing, appearing, and media coaching classes), it took just a little over a yr for all of the members to return collectively and formally type LE SSERAFIM.
Chaewon belonged to a unique Okay-pop group referred to as IZ*ONE up till 2021. The group was fashioned as a part of a contest present, and when their contract ended, she seemed to her subsequent transfer. “After that was over, I used to be form of misplaced at one level,” she says. “I did not know what to do, and I had a tough time. Like future, I obtained an opportunity to change into part of LE SSERAFIM.” Chaewon would go on to finish one other yr of coaching earlier than debuting as a part of the group.
At 26 years previous, Sakura is the oldest member of the group and one in every of two who hail from Japan. She initially debuted as an idol on the younger age of 13, finally turning into a member of IZ*ONE with Chaewon. After that specific chapter ended, LE SSERAFIM was her subsequent transfer. “I considered LE SSERAFIM as my final group,” she says. “After my final birthday, I noticed I’ve spent half my life as an idol artist.”
(Picture credit score: Agata Serge; On Huh Yunjin (prime): Hugo Kreit earrings. On Sakura (backside): Tory Burch earrings)
Yunjin is Korean American and was born and raised in upstate New York. “I began coaching fiveish years in the past,” she says. “I in the end thought that perhaps turning into a singer wasn’t my path. Although I stored desirous to do it, I felt very hopeless. I made a decision to return and end my research. Within the span of two months, I did my SAT, ACT, and wrote all my essays. The day after I put in my tuition, I obtained a name saying, ‘There’s this workforce, and we actually need you in it. Are you as much as be a part of?’ I used to be like, ‘There needs to be some larger that means to all of this as a result of how do I get this name actually not even 24 hours after I put in my freaking tuition?'”
Yunjin trusted her instinct and took the leap. “I believe LE SSERAFIM was the top of all of my life classes and expertise,” she says. “It was like, ‘For this reason you went by way of all that.’ Even now, I am always studying and rising as an individual and as an artist. I am actually, actually grateful that every little thing aligned.” I inform her it is Okay-pop kismet.
Kazuha, who can be Japanese, is a former ballerina. Once I ask whether or not her ballet coaching was helpful in studying LE SSERAFIM’s advanced choreography, I get a thumbs-up. “I began ballet after I was very younger,” she says. “I believe the outcome itself is essential, however I additionally assume getting there may be vital.” Now, as she hones a unique artistic ability, she says she cherishes her time within the group.
The one member of LE SSERAFIM who had a standard path towards stardom is Eunchae. She’s the youngest member of the group at solely 17 years previous. She was additionally the final member to affix after the coaching interval was over. “I’ve at all times been an enormous fan of Okay-pop,” she says. “I dreamed of turning into an idol singer.” Along with her entrance, LE SSERAFIM was full. “I keep in mind when [Eunchae] got here,” Yunjin says. “It felt like a workforce lastly. She was the lacking puzzle piece. I believe she provides so much to the group. She has this freshness about her.”
(Picture credit score: Agata Serge; Styling: On Hong Eunchae: GCDS gown; Grace Lee earrings; On Kazuha: Rick Owens gown; Vanessa Schindler earrings)
Since success is rarely assured, particularly in an business like theirs, it is smart that they so simply acknowledge the benefits of their work—fostering relationships with their followers. I discover all of them to be so genuinely grateful. “If I wasn’t an artist, I would not have the ability to meet this many individuals around the globe,” Sakura says. “I believe it is also very particular that we obtain plenty of love from our followers. We attempt to make it worthwhile.” Eunchae agrees. “We do not need our followers to really feel distant simply because we’re idol singers. We wish them to really feel like we’re the identical folks, residing in the identical period, sharing the identical worries and issues. Via our tales, we need to cheer folks up and empower them, and I hope they really feel near us,” she provides.
Their real positivity and pleasure are evident, however I do know there’s extra to their experiences than meets the attention. In any case, with intense coaching durations, busy schedules, and a relentless journey itinerary, the lifetime of a Okay-pop idol is just not all roses and sunshine. Sakura responds, “We now have to proceed to develop ourselves and enhance and refresh ourselves to point out new issues. We won’t be complacent. I imagine that is probably the most difficult a part of being an idol.”
That actual problem got here into play forward of the group’s Coachella debut. They had been the one Okay-pop lady group to be featured within the music competition’s 2024 lineup, they usually obtained the speediest invite of any Korean act ever—solely a mere 1.5 years into their profession. “Coachella was like a dream come true for us,” Chaewon tells me. “We did not count on this to return so rapidly in our profession, and it was such an honor to carry out. As a result of we had been doing this for the primary time, we put plenty of effort into it. We tried so laborious as if we had been debuting once more.”
(Picture credit score: Agata Serge; Styling: Hugo Kreit earrings; Sportmax prime)
The group’s setlist included “EASY,” one in every of my favourite LE SSERAFIM songs and the title observe to their most up-to-date mini-album, EASY, which debuted at quantity eight on the Billboard 200. It is adopted carefully by their track “SMART.” Each are catchy sufficient to reside in my head rent-free, however they’re additionally accompanied by music movies that show the group’s experimental and editorial strategy to magnificence. I ponder aloud if the group has an agreed-upon magnificence aesthetic or if their seems are an amalgamation of their particular person kinds. “We’re all very open when it comes to experimenting with totally different seems,” Yunjin says. “For every album, we’re all making an attempt issues for the primary time. We at all times do a ton of elaborations and check out on totally different colours. We’re at all times as much as attempt new seems. I believe everybody on our glam workforce could be very formidable. We’re at all times new concepts.” Once I share that I liked their seems within the “EASY” music video, Yunjin laughs and says, “We’ll let our make-up artist know.”
Funnily sufficient, their off-stage magnificence aesthetics are fairly the other, and every member describes their most popular strategy to hair and make-up. Yunjin says she likes her pure wavy hair texture, which is why she retains it just a little bit “messy.” Chaewon has a equally easy desire. “I prefer to maintain my hair brief,” she says. “I just like the bob cuts.” Sakura spices up her minimal magnificence aesthetic with do-it-yourself hats. “I prefer to knit as a pastime,” she provides. Yunjin will not let the second cross with out hyping up her bandmate. “She crochets her personal tops and her personal beanies,” she interjects. “It is loopy!” I’ve to agree. After seeing a couple of examples of her work, I remorse telling her that I am studying to crochet as nicely. She’s a professional.
(Picture credit score: Agata Serge; Styling: On Hong Eunchae: GCDS gown; Grace Lee earrings; On Sakura: Courrèges prime; Tory Burch earrings)
The identical might be stated about their off-duty vogue. Each single member describes their vogue aesthetic with one in every of three phrases—easy, cozy, or informal. At first, I discovered this shocking. After watching a couple of music movies and catching glimpses of their Coachella efficiency, I figured they wore boundary-pushing designer items always. Chaewon offers perspective: “As artists, we gown up so much, and we put on plenty of fancy and glamorous garments, so for my each day seems, I normally go for [something] easy, cozy.” In different phrases, they reserve the statement-making seems for the stage.
“Our workforce’s aesthetic begin was primarily based on runway ideas,” Yunjin says. “Ever since our debut, we have been doing runway exhibits and catwalk trailer movies. With every album, our album aesthetic adjustments, and our styling aesthetic adjustments. For those who consider LE SSERAFIM, you’ll be able to consider mannequin strolling and modern, cool silhouettes.” I add “editorial” and “experimental” as potential descriptors. Yunjin provides a agency “Sure,” and the remainder of the group nods.
(Picture credit score: Agata Serge; Styling: On Huh Yunjin: Sportmax prime and skirt; Hugo Kreit earrings; On Kim Chaewon: No.21 prime; Vanessa Schindler earrings)
“Generally, folks have a sure thought about how an idol normally clothes, however we attempt to break away from that,” Sakura says. “For instance, I actually liked Yunjin’s outfit within the idea trailer for EASY. It was very daring. I believe that nicely represents our workforce. That’s us. [Fashion] helps categorical who we’re.”
That boundary-pushing type is smart, particularly contemplating the identify LE SSERAFIM is an anagram of “I am Fearless.” The group’s ethos is constructed on confidence and empowerment, and clearly, vogue performs an enormous half. “We do not actually prefer to constrain ourselves,” Yunjin says. “We actually prefer to experiment and check out new issues. It would look some strategy to others’ eyes, however we prefer to cross traces and cross borders.”
It is clear why they had been signed on as Louis Vuitton model ambassadors. Each LE SSERAFIM and Louis Vuitton look to the longer term whereas honoring custom. “Louis Vuitton is de facto iconic and an enormous family identify model that has a deep, wealthy historical past,” Yunjin says. “We weren’t in a position to wrap our heads round the truth that they wished us. It was completely unbelievable, and we had been so stoked to be part of the workforce. I positively assume we resonate with plenty of the elements of the Louis Vuitton model. They’re a family identify. We might additionally like to have that kind of tradition in Okay-pop. They helped create our seems for Coachella for weeks one and two. It is at all times an honor to work with them.”
(Picture credit score: Agata Serge; Styling: On Sakura: Courrèges prime; Tory Burch earrings; On Kazuha: Rick Owens gown; Vanessa Schindler earrings)
At this level, I am unable to maintain within the one query I have been dying to ask. What artists are the members of LE SSERAFIM impressed by? They speak amongst themselves, agreeing on a number of dropped names and sometimes displaying a pained expression of utter admiration for a choose few. “I really like listening to Taylor Swift,” Chaewon says. “I additionally love listening to a Korean singer referred to as IU. I really like that every one of her lyrics are so genuine and embody her vulnerabilities, which anybody can relate to and resonate with.”
Kazuha chooses Doja Cat. “I liked listening to her songs earlier than I noticed her onstage, however after I noticed her onstage, it was simply astonishing. It was totally different from simply listening. As an artist, I need to change into a singer that may resonate with lots of people and provides plenty of surprises.” Yunjin agrees, including, “I get plenty of inspiration and non secular, musical steering from varied artists, however I like Doja Cat. She’s very concerned in her stage presentation and her work on the whole. She positively evokes me to be self-reliant in my artistic course of.” She provides a couple of extra artists to her record: “I additionally actually love Frank Ocean. … Clearly, who would not? And SZA. Her lyricism and her circulate are at all times so artistic. I positively really feel like she has a unique form of soul.”
Eunchae chooses Ariana Grande. “Again after I was coaching, I liked listening to Ariana Grande,” she says. “I’d simply decide one in every of her albums and take heed to the whole album or select a B-side observe. I’d like to see her onstage and in particular person.” Sakura is all about Beyoncé. “Whereas I used to be getting ready for Coachella, I used to be in a position to come throughout Beyoncé’s efficiency once more. I used to be identical to, ‘Wow, the place does she get this power? She’s wonderful.’ She’s like my position mannequin.”
(Picture credit score: Agata Serge; Styling: On Hong Eunchae: GCDS gown; Grace Lee earrings; On Kim Chaewon: No.21 prime and skirt; Commando bandeau; Vanessa Schindler earrings)
Yunjin factors at Sakura, saying “She fell in love with Sabrina [Carpenter] watching her at Coachella this yr.” Sakura smiles, admitting she would like to collaborate together with her: “She has this cute and lovable vibe, which I fell in love with. We have no summer time vibe songs, so if we get the possibility I would like to put collectively a summer time track with Sabrina.” Yunjin laughs. “She’s already planning. She already considered one thing,” she jokes.
I cross my fingers, hoping the collab can change into a actuality for them sooner or later. Why not? The pop-star energy could be plain. Balancing ambition with gratitude, the members mirror fondly on the successes they’ve had and the landmarks they’ve reached. “Coachella was a very huge factor for us,” Yunjin says. “To think about one thing at this scale once more is so loopy to us. We would be so grateful for something, to be trustworthy. Hopefully, we’ll have the ability to do a tour and go to extra international locations and cities. That will positively be an enormous aim for us.”
It is clear that LE SSERAFIM is on an upward trajectory—not simply to fame and fortune but in addition to an elite echelon of Okay-pop stardom. I get a sense that there are legions of individuals on the market who’re soon-to-be LE SSERAFIM superfans. They only do not know it but.
(Picture credit score: Agata Serge)
Photographer: Agata Serge
Stylist: Lauren Eggertsen
Hairstylists: Oh Yumi and Ha Min at Bit.Boot
Make-up Artists: Lee Myungsun and Kim Ina at Woosun
Manicurist: Kim, Suji
Set Designer: Ali Gallagher
VP of Artistic: Alexa Wiley
Government Director of Leisure: Jessica Baker
Director, Video: Samuel Schultz
Gaffer/AC: Kyle Hartman
Producer: Kellie Scott
Video Editor: Ji Lee/Samuel Schultz
