From exposure controversy to being targeted by Min Hee-jin “How long will LE SSERAFIM’s adversity last?”

Since the beginning of this year, LE SSERAFIM (Kim Chaewon, Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, Hong Eunchae) has been unable to escape from a series of controversies.

In January, the first controversy surrounding LE SSERAFIM was the provocative exposure of their “pantless look”. Alongside the release of the first trailer for their third mini-album “EASY”, Kim Chaewon and Huh Yunjin’s bold pantless outfits garnered significant attention and sparked various opinions.

There were concerns raised, such as “worries that teenagers might imitate”, “too provocative” and “uncomfortable” due to the unexpectedly short bottoms that evoked thoughts of underwear.

Despite some positive interpretations, viewing it as LE SSERAFIM’s new attempt and trendy style, concerns about the “provocative exposure” controversy were significant even before their comeback.

Shortly after, Taiwanese singer-actor Huang Weijin sparked controversy by sexually harassing LE SSERAFIM on a Chinese broadcast program.

Huang Weijin made sexually harassing remarks while watching LE SSERAFIM eat sweet potato balls with bamboo skewers, and received criticism from the cast on-site for making a “verbal slip”.

When news spread that LE SSERAFIM had been sexually harassed, fans from both domestic and international scenes poured criticism on Huang Weijin. He apologized, stating that it was “part of the broadcast” and that he “instinctively wanted to react”.

Recently, even before the glorious title of “entering Coachella in the shortest time since debut” could shine, LE SSERAFIM fell into disgrace as they were embroiled in a controversy over their singing ability.

Although LE SSERAFIM performed a total of 10 songs on the stage of the largest music festival in the United States “Coachella”, their unstable pitch, awkward demeanor and tense appearance led to a lukewarm response from the public.

Especially in a setting like Coachella, where high expectations for live performance skills are held, the public’s evaluation of LE SSERAFIM’s lack of skill was harsh. Criticism of LE SSERAFIM surged after their first performance, only fueling concerns about their next performance.

To make matters worse, Sakura fueled the controversy by making a self-assured statement. By stating “We may look immature in someone’s eyes, however, it is obvious that no one is perfect and this was the best stage we have ever performed”, she countered the “skill controversy”.

The public’s backlash against Sakura’s statement grew stronger. Some criticized her for being oblivious to the situation. In a situation where the negative atmosphere caused by Sakura was maximized, the controversy over Kim Chaewon’s “finger cursing” was added.

Not long after facing criticism over their singing abilities, LE SSERAFIM became embroiled in another controversy during “NewJeans’ mom” Min Hee-jin‘s press conference. ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin claimed that NewJeans could not become HYBE’s first girl group because of LE SSERAFIM.

Eventually, LE SSERAFIM’s agency Source Music released a lengthy notice on April 26th, expressing deep regret for the unpleasant emotions caused by Min Hee-jin’s remarks, which included inaccurate information and disrespectful expressions about other artists.

Source Music announced that they would strengthen their legal responses to malicious posts, including indiscriminate insults, spreading false information, sexual harassment, malicious defamation and ridicule, to protect the artists.

They warned that any false claims and actions to shape public opinion with false information would be treated as spreading false information, and all forms of ridicule and insults, including verbal abuse and sexual harassment, would be prosecuted.

Source: Daum