LE SSERAFIM Continues Amid Kim Chaewon’s Hiatus

LE SSERAFIM Pushes Ahead With ‘PUREFLOW pt.1’ Amid Kim Chaewon’s Temporary Hiatus

K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM is continuing preparations for its highly anticipated second full-length album PUREFLOW pt.1 despite leader Kim Chaewon temporarily suspending some activities due to health concerns.

On May 19, LE SSERAFIM unveiled the official highlight medley for PUREFLOW pt.1 through the HYBE Labels YouTube channel and Source Music’s social media accounts. The preview showcased snippets from all 11 tracks on the album, revealing the group’s widest musical spectrum yet with influences ranging from Latin pop and punk to house and electronic music.

The album’s title track, “BOOMPALA,” stands out as a Latin house-inspired song built around the addictive repetition of the word “BOOMPALA.” The track also samples the globally famous hit “Macarena,” creating an energetic and playful atmosphere designed for maximum crowd appeal.

As this marks LE SSERAFIM’s first full-length album in three years, the group appears focused on expanding its artistic identity through a diverse collection of genres and emotionally layered storytelling.

The opening track “Pureflow” blends punk-inspired instrumentals with lyrical emotion, while previously released lead single “CELEBRATION” continues the album’s themes of growth and resilience. Songs like “Creatures” emphasize the members’ determination to break free from limiting expectations, combining pop, rock, and electronic elements into a powerful sound.

Meanwhile, “iffy iffy” explores the vulnerable moment of finally acknowledging fear, while “우리 어떻게 더 사귈 수 있을까” (“How Can We Continue Loving Each Other?”) serves as an emotional bridge between the album’s first and second halves.

Fans also quickly noticed the return of the mysterious “SAKI” storyline through “Saki (feat. Aliyah’s Interlude),” which connects back to lyrics from the group’s earlier track “1-800-hot-n-fun.”

Member participation plays a major role throughout the project. Huh Yunjin contributed to eight tracks including “CELEBRATION,” “iffy iffy,” “Sonder,” “Irony,” and “Liminal Space,” further strengthening her reputation as one of K-pop’s most actively involved idol songwriters.

In particular, “우리 어떻게 더 사귈 수 있을까” reportedly reflects Yunjin’s honest emotions about navigating relationships within the group, addressing how people with different personalities gradually learn to understand one another.

“Trust Exercise,” co-written by Kim Chaewon, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae, also explores relationships but from a gentler perspective, focusing on slowly building trust rather than rushing emotional closeness.

However, excitement surrounding the comeback was tempered by news regarding Kim Chaewon’s health. Earlier the same day, Source Music announced that the singer recently received hospital treatment for neck pain and was advised by medical professionals to rest and monitor her recovery.

The agency stated that Chaewon’s health and safety remain the top priority, adding that she will temporarily miss certain schedules including university festivals, concerts, and music program appearances in order to focus on recovery.

Despite the setback, anticipation for PUREFLOW pt.1 continues to grow rapidly, with fans praising LE SSERAFIM’s evolving artistry, emotional storytelling, and increasingly hands-on creative involvement ahead of the album’s full release.

Minji Park

Park Minji is a K‑pop writer and journalist who delivers sharp insights and engaging stories on Korean music and culture for global readers.

📧 Contact: trustdouble@naver.com