JAKARTA - Le Sserafim used to come to K-pop with the message "fearless". Now, four years after debut, they have chosen a more mature direction: fear does not need to be denied, but faced.
According to a Yonhap report quoted on Friday, May 22, the message is the core of Le Sserafim's second studio album, Pureflow pt. 1, which was released on Friday at 13.00 Korean time.
This album takes inspiration from Buddhist teachings. The idea is simple that fear can be just an illusion. The important thing is not to sink into anxiety and keep moving.
"Overcoming fear is cool, but we feel that acknowledging fear and cultivating the strength to move forward is a cooler attitude," Hong Eun-chae said in a group media interview on Monday.
Group leader Kim Chae-won was not present for the interview as he was resting from activities due to health problems.
Huh Yun-jin said this new message feels closer to listeners now.
"It's hard for everyone to say, 'No, I'm not afraid, I'm going to destroy everything,'" he said. "I think people might need someone to give them comfort and say it's okay to be afraid."
Sakura also admitted that the members initially did not feel afraid when they debuted because they did not know many things. However, fear arose at many important points in their careers, including when deciding which songs to release.
This change of theme cannot be separated from the group's experience of facing public criticism. Le Sserafim was highlighted for their vocal ability, which was considered unstable, especially after performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2024.
"Every team faces difficult times," Yun-jin said. "What's important is the attitude we take. By accepting and facing the fear we felt at the time, we found a new side of ourselves."
The title Pureflow is an anagram of the word powerful. The concept starts from the quote in the classic novel Frankenstein: "For I am fearless, and therefore powerful." They turned the phrase into a new idea: because they are not free from fear, they are strong.
Boompala's lead single carries that message into a lighter, more danceable track. The song samples the global hit Macarena with a Latin house twist.
Boompala is also inspired by the Heart Sutra, one of the widely known Buddhist texts. The song carries the idea that fear can change its meaning depending on how one sees it.
The album also includes Celebration, a song that was first released on April 24. The song was co-written by Yun-jin and Chae-won, with the theme of courage in the face of anxiety.
From the stage, Le Sserafim still carries their signature. Boompala uses the melody and iconic Macarena movement, while Celebration features energetic jumps and headbanging.
Yun-jin said Macarena's sample had personal meaning. She grew up in the United States with the song.
"I never imagined I would meet that song again while working in the K-pop world," he said.
After Spaghetti in 2025 and three years after Unforgiven's first full-length album, Le Sserafim wants to maintain their cheerful energy, but with a more mature message.
"Because Boompala contains cheerful and positive energy, I want to hear people say this song is fun and we are great on stage," said Kazuha.
Yun-jin hopes this album will give listeners a sense of comfort.
"I also hope this album gives them the courage to face their own fears," he said.
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