Le Sserafim is back to top off their trilogy—and all we have to say is that it’s super hot. The album, also coincidentally titled Hot, is the final chapter of their ambitious musical saga, following mini albums Easy and Crazy.
The girl group knows how to ride the pop machine’s momentous arc. Their subversively fierce and edgy sound and dance moves pushed at the boundaries of the K-pop sphere, and made them one of the earliest rookie K-Pop groups to perform at Coachella. It probably helps that three out of the five members (Chaewon, Sakura, and Yunjin) were contestants in Produce 48, Korea’s toughest music survival program, which has produced some of the country’s top idols. On TikTok, you’ll find hundreds of fans making dance videos to their songs or trying to recreate the girls’ makeup and hairstyles.
Beyond music, the group’s influence even extends to fitness. The most recent TikTok trend sees fans follow Le Sserafim’s workout routine—a hundred jumping jacks and burpees set to their song “Crazy.”
But Hot is all about exploring a new, unfamiliar terrain for the group. Fans will know that in 2024, the group weathered some controversies with other groups, as well as lipsynching allegations after their Coachella performance. But “Ash”, of the album’s tracks, co-written by the group’s main lyricist Huh Yunjin, is about “burning yourself to be reborn from the ashes. I wrote the lyrics about the beauty found in the pain of that process.” This rebirth signals an era that’s all about rebellious music, jaw-dropping fashion, and even hotter dance moves.
Below, Le Sserafim and their stylist Yoon Cho give Vogue an inside look at the making of the “Hot” music video.
Can you tell us about some of your favorite looks from the music video?
Chaewon: I really love the Abra coat I wore! There’s a part of the choreography where we swing the coat, so I think this outfit suits our concept the best.
Sakura: I love the suit look as well. It gives a hot, yet cool vibe, which makes it unique.
Yoon Cho: There’s a scene in the second verse of the “Hot” music video where the members appear in long black coats, which is my absolute favorite look. The styling itself is minimal and sophisticated, with the members wearing suits and coats. [It’s a] new style we haven’t tried before. The scene was shot in black and white against a black background, and the contrast between black and white turned out beautifully, especially with the members’ blonde hairstyles. The fluttering coat hems also complemented the choreography perfectly.
Le Sserafim have been known to wear a variety of designers, from Louis Vuitton to Simone Rocha, do the girls have a favorite brand to wear these days?
Yoon Cho: The main concept we wanted to express with Hot is ‘boho-chic.’ Since Le Sserafim is musically returning with a completely different side of themselves, we wanted the visuals to highlight this transformation, creating a new atmosphere distinct from their previous signature styles. While the group has been known for powerful, confident choreography in oversized pants or sporty outfits, we actively incorporated feminine clothing pieces from brands like Chloé and Mirror Palais with flowing silhouettes.
This is the group’s fifth mini album, can you give us a little bit of insight on what we can expect from this album and what your favorite songs might be?
Yunjin: This album features a unique vocal style, emotion, and mood that’s new to us! Out of all the tracks, I really like the song “Ash.” It’s about burning yourself to be reborn from the ashes, and I wrote the lyrics about the beauty found in the pain of that process.
Chaewon: Everyone will be able to experience a completely new side of Le Sserafim, and it will be very different from the genres and styles we have shown so far! My favorite song is “Come Over.” It’s such a fun song, and I think it pairs perfectly with the performance.
The Le Sserafim workout that you guys did ahead of your last comeback has been going viral on TikTok again. How are you guys preparing this time around? Is there a Le Sserafim workout 2.0 that you guys might be dropping?
Yunjin:I personally have been into using the stairclimber lately. I find it really good for blood circulation, and it seems great for improving my stamina as well.
Kazuha: Let me drop it now. Le Sserafim’s workout before focused more on strength training, but I’ve recently been into interval training. I’d recommend walking for two minutes, then running for three minutes on the treadmill, repeating it for about 20 to 30 minutes. You sweat a lot, but it leaves you feeling so refreshed.
Last year the group performed at Coachella, are there any bucket list items that you want to do in 2025?
Eunchae: I’d love to perform on the VMAs stage again in the future! I’d really love for us to perform on the main stage this time.
Kazuha: I really want to perform at Tokyo Dome some day!
Sakura: We’re so excited for all the opportunities lined up this year, especially our upcoming world tour, Easy Crazy Hot! I can’t wait to perform at places we haven t been to yet and meet our fans [Fearnot] around the world.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
