What is 'love,' a feeling that all people share and express the most? According to the Standard Korean Dictionary, love is defined as 'a feeling of greatly cherishing and valuing a person or being.'

The group LE SSERAFIM is singing about love in their title track 'HOT' for the first time since their debut. Their love story, which has focused on 'me' since their debut, attracted public attention even before the album's release.

The members explained at the showcase held on the day of the album's release, “If you listen to the lyrics of this title track, you can tell that it is not necessarily about love between a man and a woman. It could be about love in general, or it could be about my incomplete self, and it could be about a person who loves and supports me, including my lacking aspects. I wanted to talk about inclusive love.”

In particular, Heo Yunjin, who participated in the song's production, defined her understanding of love by saying, “I believe I love to live. I love this team and those who support us, and I gain strength to live by loving this work itself. I approached this album with those feelings.”

LE SSERAFIM conveyed their stories through previous works, stating, “We will move forward without fear” (FEARLESS) and “We will break free from the rules set by the world and go our own way” (UNFORGIVEN). Notably, the lyrics of the mini-album's title track 'ANTIFRAGILE,' such as “Don’t forget the toe shoes I left behind” and “Don’t ignore the career I’ve built,” resonated with many, representing the lives of Kazuha, who became a K-pop artist after ballet, and Sakura, who has debuted three times.

'HOT' also encapsulates their thoughts and feelings. Lyrics like “So tonight, embraced in your arms” and “Hug me tight, my dear” evoke the typical image of romantic love. However, as you follow the lyrics, you can clearly see, as the members mentioned at the showcase, that the subject of love broadens significantly. Especially the lyric that captured many listeners' hearts, “If I can live as myself, then even if I become ashes, I’m okay,” distinctly shows that this song addresses not just love for others but also affection for oneself.

Last year, LE SSERAFIM faced many hardships. They released 'HOT' when they could have collapsed. The line “If I can live as myself, then even if I become ashes, I’m okay,” carries a resonance from a different dimension. It reflects their determination to burn everything and willingly dive in for what they love, even if they turn to ashes. What they realized at the end of a dark tunnel—deep affection for what they want to protect until the end—has touched many hearts. Additionally, it resonates with those currently going through tough times, increasing attention to the lyrics.

The lyrics of 'HOT (English ver.)', released on the 17th, are also worth contemplating. Lyrics such as “I’m the 1, 2 and 3” (any appearance is me), “There’s a fire living inside me / And it won’t burn out after dark” (there's a blazing flame inside me / it won’t go out even when darkness comes), and “Who I’m becoming, I love it” highlight the determination to love and believe in oneself regardless of the trials that come.

As they have done until now, LE SSERAFIM has infused real experiences, thoughts, and emotions into the song 'HOT.' Despite the pain and the uncertainty of the outcome, they are willing to devote everything for what they love in 'HOT'. Their lyrics, filled with authenticity, are irresistible.

[Photo] Provided by Source Music.

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