LE SSERAFIM Unleashes Their Western Side in First Full-Length Album 'Unforgiven'

"Many people think of ambition and fierceness when it comes to LE SSERAFIM, but this time, you can expect a more relaxed vibe and enjoy the stage itself." Sakura said.

LE SSERAFIM, one of the leading contenders in the '4th Generation Girl Group' craze, has continued its meaningful challenge with the release of its first full-length album 'Unforgiven' on the 1st.

At the album release showcase held in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, LE SSERAFIM introduced the album as "a collection of our new sides that we didn't even know about ourselves."

'Unforgiven' is an album that conveys the determination to forge one's path without caring about others' evaluations. It expresses the resolve not to care about being judged by others for their choices and not to seek forgiveness for it.

Hong Eun Chae said, "Since it's our first full-length album, I feel the emotions from our debut and first comeback rushing in. We've prepared diligently with love, and I'm excited and looking forward to seeing how fans react."

The album contains thirteen tracks, including the title track 'Unforgiven,' 'Burn the Bridge' with a message of going beyond the world, the uniquely themed 'Eve, Psyche, and Bluebeard's Wife,' and LE SSERAFIM's first fan song 'Bloom.'

The ninth track 'No-Return' is the theme song of the webtoon 'Crimson Heart.' HIVE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk was inspired by Kim Chaewon's confident back and wrote the lyrics.

Sakura shared, "There were more songs, so the recording period was much longer. We prepared the album while we were in Japan, and recorded all the new songs there. We tried to adapt to the atmosphere of various genres during recording."

The title track 'Unforgiven' samples the main theme OST of the American Western film 'The Unforgiven,' featuring legendary guitarist and music producer Nile Rodgers on guitar.

Sampling the OST was suggested by HIVE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk. LE SSERAFIM's side requested permission from Giovanni Morricone, the son of Ennio Morricone, a master of film music, and gladly received it.

As a result, a Western film atmosphere permeates the 'Unforgiven' music video and stage costumes. Scenes of riding a white horse in the music video shot in Thailand and dancing in an exotic restaurant enhance the vibe.

Huh Yunjin explained, "During recording, we were directed to be witty but not too serious, and we tried to be witty and fun in our expressions."

Also, "When I first heard the song, it felt like going from New York to Texas. It was like a scene from a Western movie, so I was excited about how the Korean lyrics would fit."

Kazuha said, "I received horseback riding training for the shoot. I remember going outside for makeup touch-ups because I thought the horse might be uncomfortable with many people around."

LE SSERAFIM debuted in the music industry last May and built a solid fandom with hits like 'Fearless' and 'Antifragile.' They also showcased their popularity by appearing in local year-end special programs in Japan like NHK's 'Kohaku Uta Gassen.'

This first full-length album has already received over 1.38 million pre-orders, heralding their ascent as million-sellers.

Sakura said, "I couldn't believe the pre-orders were more than double the last album. I was so happy and proud that our fans recognized our hard work. It was possible because of the best efforts of all the members."

Kazu added, "When we debuted, the thought of doing what was in front of us was overwhelming, but now, we have a greater desire to try new things." They reflected on the changes they've experienced over the past year.

Sakura, the oldest member of the group, has already debuted three times as an idol with HKT48, IZ*ONE, and now Le Sserafim. A year ago, when she debuted with Le Sserafim, she said, "I believe that people need to keep feeling pressure in order to grow."

Sakura continued, "When we debuted with 'Fearless' a year ago, I was incredibly nervous and felt a lot of pressure, but now, I can enjoy the stage itself. I think we'll be able to show a more relaxed side of ourselves in the future." She also mentioned, "I am slowly improving my Korean language skills and variety show sense through the YouTube show 'Fearless Sakura.'"

When asked if they had ever had an experience where they didn't need forgiveness, like the title 'Unforgiven' suggests, Heo Yunjin replied seriously, "You can only recognize success if you've had failures."

Huh Yunjin added, "When there's something I want to do, I usually give it a try. Even when people say 'it's always been like that,' I question why it's like that and try to break the mold. When I want to grow and do something, I don't think there's a need to worry about other people's opinions or be conscious of their eyes."

Meanwhile, leader Kim Chaewon addressed the criticism that 'Unforgiven' was similar to the singing style of Spanish singer Rosalía. She said, "Le Sserafim's songs and concepts contain our stories and messages, so we would appreciate it if you see them as our unique creations."

"The idea that we don't need forgiveness means that we don't need to be swayed by others' words or evaluations. If we had always done things as we always had or as others wanted, we wouldn't have achieved such great results," she concluded.