How LE SSERAFIM proved themselves at MMA

Park So Yeon: We figured it was better to put proper emphasis on what kind of group LE SSERAFIM is rather than do something new just because it’s an end-of-year performance. Since it hasn’t been long since they debuted, we wanted the performance to be all about them. We started with trying to convey the idea of the Hydra to show how they’re “ANTIFRAGILE.” We split up the members’ individual parts of the dance based on when they speak in the song so people would focus on the lyrics. It also let the members express their spoken words through the way they move. I really think the words “I will rise over and over again” are so cool. I thought about how they could express this part—how they could speak through their movements. We tried to capture the sense of rising by having them bend back and use their core strength to slowly rise again and having them look really confident. We wanted to show them flying up after falling in the “the dance I dance as I fall” part. Falling and flying are two sides of the same coin, after all. We wanted to give the image of cool women who are always relaxed, and I think that part was really immersive even though it was short—maybe thanks to CHAEWON. SAKURA’s the Hydra’s leader in the dance break in the trailer. She was the first to come to mind when I pictured the Hydra’s leader, so I entrusted the role to her. To be honest, SAKURA’s been through a lot. During group practice, she kept practicing during break time until she was pouring sweat and could do all the moves. I was applauding her too when they finally put on the performance because I was amazed how good she made it look. She proved to me that I didn’t make the wrong choice. I think SAKURA’s greatest strength is her passion and the scorching energy she gets from it. It feels like the word “passion” doesn’t quite do her energy justice though. (laughs) All the members had a really strong desire and will to do a good job with this performance. I’m someone who thinks the more you practice, the better, so I don’t usually say things like this, but I even said, “Should we stop here and go home? When are we leaving?” (laughs) They put so much effort into this performance and I was really hoping they’d be able to convey that. I wanted the audience there in person to see how strong our performance is. So even though it was pre-recorded, we decided to go all out from the beginning till the end as if we were performing live. We also wanted people to focus solely on their dance, so we didn’t use any background videos or special effects. The members and the backup dancers all worked so hard to come together as Team LE SSERAFIM and get in sync so they could show off what they did. And the fact that the performance was acknowledged through winning Best Performance made me even prouder and more thankful. (laughs)

To our dear members

Park So Yeon: The LE SSERAFIM members are really sincere in their performances. I hope they never stop wanting to put on good performances. I think we’re still at the first step. Luckily we could show people a lot of things in taking this first step, but let’s not get too excited yet. (laughs) But anyway, you worked really hard and did a great job! (laughs) I want to tell them something like that. I just really like working with LE SSERAFIM. There were actually a lot of ups and downs while promoting “ANTIFRAGILE” but that made it all the more fun. (laughs) We all joked and said, “Yep—that’s LE SSERAFIM!” Sometimes you miss things when things go too smoothly. I think that sometimes you have to take a little detour so you can find your footing again and keep moving forward. I consider myself an ambitious achiever and the members are similar. They’re almost too ambitious and have a hard time walking away from anything. I couldn’t ask for more than being with artists who, like me, are so ambitious and want to do so many different things. There’s nothing better than that. I was talking with CHAEWON recently in the practice room and told her, “I think it’s really lucky that I met you five. It makes me so happy when I present the big picture I have in mind and you all keep an open mind and always do your best.” I think all the performances they’ve done so far were made possible because they’re LE SSERAFIM and they’re themselves. I’m honestly scared how far we’ll be able to go sometimes. Naturally I feel worried sometimes, but LE SSERAFIM will keep singing about themselves and I think all they need to do when they’re on stage is to show what they’re capable of. I hope people can see them for exactly who they are. When something’s hard, they say it’s hard, and they can admit to being the kind of people who make mistakes. We’re going to keep doing even better. We’re going to keep working even harder. We still have a long ways to go. (laughs)