In the hours leading up to their MTV VMAs debut, LE SSERAFIM made an unforgettable entrance, laughing and buzzing with energy on a rooftop terrace in Midtown Manhattan. It was a vibrant Wednesday afternoon, and in just a few hours, the group would take their first steps onto the black carpet at the VMAs—a momentous event that also saw them earn their very first Moon Person. But for now, the rooftop was a whirlwind of activity. With staff and security bustling about, the group’s five members—Kim Chaewon, Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae—completed a quick video shoot just across the terrace. Yunjin, already feeling relaxed and comfortable, had even swapped into a cozy pair of gray sweatpants.
They were still riding the high from their VMAs pre-show performance, which had been recorded live the day before at the UBS Arena. "It was so fun," Yunjin recalls with excitement, praising the fans—known as the FEARNOTS—who brought intense energy and resounding chants to the show. The group performed two of their newest hits, “Crazy” and its equally electrifying B-side, “1-800-hot-n-fun,” both dynamic tracks from their latest EP, Crazy. Having spent the past week promoting these songs on various music shows in South Korea, Yunjin shared, “Through each performance, we kept the VMAs in mind.” Their hard work and focus paid off in the form of an electric performance, with fans singing along and shouting the lyrics to “Crazy,” including the line, “all the girls are girling,” which resonated with the crowd.
Despite the nerves that can accompany such a monumental event, the enthusiasm and support of their fans helped put the group at ease. “It was a really incredible experience,” Kazuha shared. "Being far from our home in Korea and seeing so many people cheering us on was amazing. It really helped take the pressure off.” This experience marks a significant moment for LE SSERAFIM as they step confidently onto the world stage. Having already performed at Coachella in April, where they brought their intense style to the desert heat, the group has continued to grow with each performance, learning to find balance between precision and joy. Yunjin explained, “When we debuted as a group, we were so focused on perfecting every choreo detail. Now, we aim to enjoy the moment.” This shift has been evident in their performances, with moments in the choreography where the members catch each other’s eyes and smile, making it clear they’re truly enjoying themselves.
Their latest single, “Crazy,” captures this spirit of freedom and spontaneity, both in its energetic house beat and in its empowering message that encourages listeners to shed societal expectations and embrace who they are. Since its release, the song has quickly gained popularity, making a strong debut at No. 76 on the Billboard Hot 100—a new milestone for the group. Yunjin describes the album as bold and energetic, explaining, “Our album, Crazy, is about embracing who we are and doing what we love without worrying about judgment. That’s the feeling we wanted to bring to the VMAs.”
Preparation for Crazy and its vibrant performances began in earnest late last year. According to Soyeon Park, LE SSERAFIM’s performance director, she immediately saw the potential for ballroom-inspired choreography upon hearing the song’s house beat. “It made me think of voguing right away,” she explained. Originating in Black and Latinx queer communities, voguing has grown within the inclusive ballroom scene as an expressive, creative art form. It aligns perfectly with LE SSERAFIM’s message of individuality and freedom. By integrating voguing into their performances, the group not only pays homage to this unique dance style but also introduces Korean audiences to ballroom culture. Park noted, “Ballroom culture isn’t widely known in Korea, so this is an opportunity for us to showcase it to new audiences.”
For the “Crazy” music video, the group collaborated with members of the Iconic House of Juicy Couture, a renowned kiki house in New York, to honor ballroom culture. Yunjin shared, “We felt it was important to understand and appreciate the culture behind our music. Working with the House of Juicy Couture was amazing—they taught us so much, and it was inspiring to see them perform.” Chaewon, the group’s leader, admitted that ballroom was entirely new to her, but she and her members took the time to study videos and immerse themselves in the style. She credits Soyeon Park, who has been dancing street styles since she was 15, for guiding them through the learning process. “It was challenging,” Chaewon laughed, her iconic bob bouncing as she spoke, “but I think we managed to pull it off!”
Sakura experienced an unexpected surprise with her iconic line in “Crazy”—“I’m an Otaku, bestie”—paired with a duckwalk that quickly became a fan-favorite moment. Sakura was thrilled by the response: “I didn’t expect fans to love it this much, but I’m glad they do.” Even Yunjin can’t help but sing along to this viral line when asked about it.
Their rehearsal schedule for the VMAs was tight—such is the fast-paced life of one of K-pop’s most popular groups. Yet, they approached it with a focus on authenticity and fun, something that Park emphasized. “It was overwhelming at times, but the excitement made it all worth it,” she reflected. As a K-pop group known for their boldness, LE SSERAFIM combines precise choreography with each member’s unique charisma. Whether it’s Kazuha’s elegance, honed through years of ballet training, Yunjin’s sass, or the playful energy of their youngest member, Eunchae, each member brings their own flair. Eunchae shared, “I don’t like to limit myself to one style. I just try to be myself and put my own spin on our performances.”
Soyeon Park believes that, while K-pop has its own distinctive style, she hopes for LE SSERAFIM to transcend the genre and express themselves freely through dance. She noted, “The members are open to experimenting with different dance styles, and this openness allowed us to integrate ballroom elements in a way that feels natural to them.”
As they waited to make their grand entrance at the VMAs, Yunjin jokingly shoved an imaginary microphone in Sakura’s face, asking, “Who are you most excited to see tonight?” It was a light-hearted moment that encapsulated the fun energy they bring to their performances. Just beyond the terrace, the Empire State Building would soon be illuminated in their signature “fearless blue” (Pantone 7453C), casting a vibrant glow over the city in honor of LE SSERAFIM—a perfect symbol of the group’s infectious and fearless spirit. As Yunjin described it, this evening promised to be “Hot, fun, and crazy!”
