Tough cookies: How pop group Le Sserafim overcame internal conflict and internet trolls

Article excerpt

K-pop group Le Sserafim bounced back from internal tensions and relentless online harassment by learning to laugh at themselves, band members say. The five-piece, formed by HYBE in 2022, faced public conflict between members and waves of internet criticism that threatened their early momentum. Rather than retreating, they leaned into vulnerability and self-deprecating humor in interviews and social media, which paradoxically softened their image and energized their fanbase. The strategy worked: their latest releases have climbed charts globally, and they've become known for candid discussions about group dynamics. The turnaround suggests a counterintuitive path for K-pop acts typically groomed for perfection, admitting you're flawed, then owning it.