LE SSERAFIM Interview on Facing Criticism and Finding Strength

LE SSERAFIM interview with Starnews explores how each member copes with public criticism and personal struggles. The group faced harsh backlash in the past year but responded with career-defining achievements and emotional resilience. Through honest reflection, they shared personal strategies for staying grounded and focused during difficult times.

A Challenging Year: LE SSERAFIM Face Public Scrutiny

In a recent interview with Starnews Korea, LE SSERAFIM opened up about the struggles they experienced over the past year. The group has been under intense public scrutiny, especially after ADOR’s CEO Min Heejin brought them up during a press conference. This comment sparked a wave of online negativity, with people quick to criticize their Coachella performance and question their stage presence.

More troubling were the baseless accusations surrounding alleged pro-Japanese sentiment. These rumors, lacking any real foundation, spread primarily because members Sakura and Kazuha are Japanese. Many fans and netizens found this deeply unfair. Communities like MLBPARK even posted messages sympathizing with the group’s mental burden. Amidst these challenges, the group’s silence often spoke louder than any direct response. Instead of fighting words with words, they chose to face adversity through growth and performance.

Turning Criticism Into Motivation: LE SSERAFIM Interview on Resilience

In their Starnews interview, LE SSERAFIM explained how they transformed negativity into motivation. Rather than getting discouraged, they focused on what they do best: music and performance. In 2024, the group reached a new peak in their career. Following the release of their first English digital single “Perfect Night,” they continued their momentum with “Smart,” “EASY,” and “CRAZY.” Each release gained attention, with “CRAZY” becoming their highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at No. 76. This marked the highest position achieved by a K-pop girl group on that chart in 2024.

Additionally, LE SSERAFIM became the first 4th generation K-pop girl group to place three consecutive albums in the Billboard 200 Top 10. Their growing global presence was further confirmed by multiple awards. They won “Push Performance of the Year” at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, and became the first K-pop girl group to perform at the MTV Europe Music Awards, where they also took home the “Best Push” award. The group’s music, not their words, became their answer to doubt.

I Trust Time: Calm Perspective by Eunchae

In the same interview, Eunchae reflected on her personal way of dealing with hard times. She explained that when she feels overwhelmed or uncertain, she doesn’t try to fix everything all at once. “I believe in time more than anything else in this world,” she said. “When I’m having a hard time, I remind myself that time continues to move forward.” For her, there is comfort in the idea that most problems lose their weight as time passes. Rather than forcing herself to overcome everything immediately, she allows herself to flow with time. “Once time has passed,” she added, “things often turn out to be less serious than they felt in the moment.” Her words revealed a calm strength—a quiet patience that helps her weather the storms.

Overcoming Frustration: LE SSERAFIM Interview with Chaewon

During the interview, Chaewon shared how she manages inner conflict and frustration, especially when her efforts fall short of her expectations. She confessed that she’s quite ambitious, and that ambition sometimes makes her feel disappointed in herself. “There are times when I practice really hard and polish my performance,” she said, “but the outcome still doesn’t satisfy me.” When this happens, she feels let down—but she doesn’t let it drag her down for long. “I try not to sink too deep,” she explained. “Instead, I think, ‘I need to show a better version of myself next time,’ and I start practicing again.” Her strategy is simple: keep moving, keep improving. She sees each challenge as a chance to grow stronger and show a new side of herself.

Reflection by Yunjin: Living with Questions

Yunjin, known for her thoughtful personality, shared a deeply reflective perspective in the interview. “I always have a lot on my mind,” she said. “There’s a quote I love—‘Live with the question before you find the answer.’ That really speaks to me.” She believes that constantly questioning and reflecting is part of life’s journey. Even when things feel uncertain or confusing, she embraces that discomfort. “It’s similar to what Eunchae said,” she added, “because the questions themselves are meaningful.” Yunjin described herself as someone who feels emotions intensely—both joy and sadness. “I cry a lot, and I laugh a lot too,” she said with a smile. She chooses to experience everything fully, believing that each emotion brings her closer to understanding herself.

Journaling Through Struggles: LE SSERAFIM Interview with Sakura

For Sakura, writing has been a valuable tool in overcoming hardship. She tends not to talk about her worries with others, preferring to sort through her thoughts on her own. “I often write in a journal,” she said. “Sometimes I go back and read old entries. I realize how I felt back then, and I see how far I’ve come.” This reflection gives her strength and helps her stay optimistic. “When I see that I overcame those things, I feel like I can get through my current struggles too.” Sakura’s coping method highlights self-awareness and emotional independence. She trusts her past experiences to help guide her through the present.

Clear Thinking in Tough Times: Kazuha on Staying Grounded

Kazuha spoke about how she often struggles with low self-esteem during difficult times. “When something hard happens,” she said, “I tend to overthink and feel worse about myself.” But through experience, she learned that dwelling on negativity doesn’t help her grow. “That kind of thinking doesn’t change anything,” she explained. “So I try to simplify things. I ask myself, ‘What’s missing right now? How can I fix it?’” This shift in mindset helps her focus on solutions instead of problems. Kazuha believes that thinking clearly and acting simply helps her move forward, even in dark moments.

LE SSERAFIM Interview Reflects on Awards and Global Growth

LE SSERAFIM interview showed their rise from rookies to global stars, recalling moments from the Asia Artist Awards. They thanked fans, shared achievements, and expressed joy about their comeback and world tour.

Here’s a link to MLBPARK.

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