Le Sserafim embraces fear as strength on new album 'Pureflow pt. 1'

By Shim Sun-ah

SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- Four years after arriving on the K-pop scene with a message of "being fearless," girl group Le Sserafim has adopted a wiser approach, acknowledging and embracing fear as a profound source of inner strength.

On its second studio album, "Pureflow pt. 1," scheduled for release at 1 p.m. Friday, it draws upon Buddhist teachings to suggest that fear may be nothing more than an illusion. Through the new album, it delivers a message urging listeners to seize the moment rather than dwell on their anxieties.

"Breaking through fear is cool, but we felt that acknowledging it and cultivating the strength to move forward is a cooler attitude," member Hong Eun-chae said during a group media interview Monday when asked what drove the group to change the theme.

Team leader Kim Chae-won was unable to attend the interview, taking a pause from activities due to health issues.

Huh Yun-jin noted that this shift is meant to resonate better with modern listeners. "It is hard for everyone to say, 'No, I'm not afraid, I will crush everything,'" she said. "I thought people might need someone to offer comfort and say it's OK to be afraid."

Japanese member Sakura admitted that she and her bandmates initially had no fear when they debuted "because we didn't know anything" but fear constantly emerged at every critical moment of their career, like "What kind of songs we should release this time."

This thematic shift toward embracing vulnerability also reflects the group's real-life hurdles, including the heavy public criticism for its unstable vocal skills, notably after its performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, a major U.S music festival, in 2024.

"Every team faces hard times," Yun-jin said, addressing the controversy. "What matters is the attitude you take. By accepting and facing the fear we felt then, we discovered a new side of ourselves. We talked a lot about how to work harder, and that process of growth made us who we are today."

The album's title, "Pureflow," is an anagram of the word "powerful." The concept was sparked by a line from the classic novel "Frankenstein" -- "For I am fearless, and therefore powerful" -- which the group reinterpreted into a new core theme: "For we are not fearless, and therefore powerful."

The lead track, "Boompala," carries this philosophical weight onto the dance floor. Sampling the global hit "Macarena" over a Latin House beat, the song draws inspiration from the "Heart Sutra," one of the most well-known Buddhist scriptures, suggesting that fear is merely a formless illusion depending on one's perspective.

The album also features "Celebration," the track unveiled on April 24 prior to the album's release. It is a festive anthem co-written by Yun-jin and Chae-won about gaining the courage to confront anxiety.

Both tracks feature highly engaging choreography designed to connect with audiences. "Boompala" incorporates the iconic melody and dance moves from "Macarena" while "Celebration" features energetic jumping and headbanging, according to the group.

Yun-jin, who is Korean American, said the sampling of "Macarena" held personal significance. "I grew up in the United States listening to 'Macarena' from a young age, so I never imagined I would encounter it again while working in the K-pop scene here," she said. "It's such a globally recognized song that transcends cultures and generations, so even younger listeners -- not just our generation -- can connect with it."

Following the success of its first single "Spaghetti," released in 2025, and arriving three years after its first full-length album "Unforgiven," Le Sserafim hopes to maintain its signature upbeat energy and comfort listeners with a more mature message.

"Because 'Boompala' contains so much cheerful, positive energy, I want to hear people say it's fun and that we are great on stage," Japanese member Kazuha said when asked what reactions the group wants to draw with the album.

"I hope this album brings comfort to listeners," Yun-jin added, "I also hope it gives them the courage to face their own fears."