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Koko3op
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Le Sserafim HOT Mini Album

I WAS gonna put this on youtube but naaaaaaah lool

I summarise my feelings at the end at the end but lack of consistent branding is making them feel like they're not doing anything that stands out or feels artistic.

The music video is one of their best though imo. The bsides, i don't know, nothing I'd rush to listen back to.

All of this is a shame cos Crazy was their SWEET SPOT.

I even forgot to rate the album but it's a C- for me.

Le Sserafim HOT Mini Album

Comments

Ash is a hit!

Koko3op

I’ve been listening to Ash almost daily since that came out and although I stand by everything I wrote in my first comment, I really appreciate how lyricwise there is a connecting thread that runs through their discography. Here’s to hoping they’ll develop a similarly firm identity visually and sonically and soon!!

Chloé Hoarau

I hope so too!! And thank youu

Koko3op

Glad I finally made it here. I had the same reaction when it came out but it slowly became a fan favorite and now seeing them perform it live especially Ash and Come Over sold me over the moon. I hope their next trilogy is as diverse but has a better through line that relates back to their fashion girl runway concept. Love hearing your thoughts!!!

Yemidotcom

Oooo I love this!

Koko3op

I watched this when it came out and agreed with you on most of your points, but since then I’ve sat with this EP more and it has grown on me so much. As a whole, I think it works so well sonically; each song blends beautifully into the next, it suits their voices, all of the songs are short and simple and toned down, but they’re still GOOD. Come Over is so fun and the dance is a breath of fresh air. I kept thinking back to NMIXX, because I’m obsessed with High Horse and Papillon, but that EP isn’t one I can put on and listen all the way through. It’s incredible and the artistry is so far unmatched for this year, but some of the songs aren’t something I can casually put on and enjoy. HOT is something I’ve gravitated toward since it came out, to play all the way through and enjoy. Granted, it is only 12min……….

Kora

Love this comment! You write so well! Haha, I don't mind reading stories at all when they're written this well! But you make great points

Koko3op

Sorry, I wrote a story 😓 I love, love watching your reactions and your thoughts because you make me really think about the groups I follow and just analyze more in general. Although we might not have the same opinions all the time, I appreciate it regardless. With that being said, Le Sserafim is my ult gg and Top 5 kpop group for me. I buy their albums, collect photocards, etc. I say this to point out that despite that, I feel like I can still dislike/not prefer certain content/music. For instance, I am nooooot a fan of Unforgiven or The Great Mermaid (as a couple of examples). This album was one that had an overarching theme of vulnerability and intimacy— which I personally believe was showcased beautifully through the music and lyrics. I think that’s why it was softer and slower than some sounds we heard prior (which followed their own concept). Even if their sounds changed from release to release, I think the theme of what their group IS; the resilience, love for themselves, fearlessness is consistent throughout. (Slightly off topic, I see a similar argument regarding RIIZE and I would argue the same thing as aforementioned for them as well. They’re also consistent with their own concept ‘emotional-pop’; but I digress 🙂‍↕️). Anyways, again, I always appreciate your perspectives and likewise for your friends. Keep being honest! It’s rare in the era of kpop reactions 😔

Marisa Eldridge

Personally I loved this album. Probably Top 3 of theirs at the moment. They have been hinting at this era for about a year and this album gives me summer vibes from different eras of music. That could just be me looking too into it. I get why people are upset with Hot. I was not a huge fan but after the 2nd listen I couldn't stop singing it. It has been on repeat. If anything I would make it a b-side, but I do think it works at it's length with no bridge. That also could just be because I have only heard it w/o one. I also like that they keep a consistent concept but change up their genres within their trilogies. No one album sounds exactly like the other. Not to mention no matter what they did people would say they were copying someones sound or "eating someones nachos" idk this was a slam dunk for me. It solidified them as my fave 4th gen GG.

Little Giant Ace

If I'm not wrong their creative director has changed recently (?), I think we'll see the results in the next chapters since "HOT" was already on work long ago.

Alex Ivano

Thank you!! Yess Kazuha is definitely shining more and more!

Koko3op

I’ll watch the reaction soon but just from reading the description; interesting! I think this is my favorite album from them personally. I like that they have a dynamic discography. Its well-rounded and keeps me on my toes. I’ll revisit here once I watch your reaction.

Tay

FOLLOW UP lol. Hybe needs to let SOUMU do their thing instead of trying to push these girls to be the mainstream hit group. we all saw what happened when they sent them unprepared to Coachella. I didn't hate it, I just hated the fact that I knew the group was capable of so much more and they were set up. We don't want mainstream we want quality comebacks

phae

Loved the review! Although i disagree on a few things I do wish the title track was slightly more upbeat but I see where they were going. The biggest thing I think HOT was missing that would've made it stand out entirely was a bridge. The song itself was nice to listen to but man (this isn't just for le sserafim) but I wish kpop groups would stop leaving out the bridge. The thing I am most proud of is their improvement vocally. It is so refreshing to have an album where it isn't just Chaewon and Yunjin carrying them throughout. Kazuha's vocals add a nice soft touch to their songs where sometimes it might've been lacking as well as Eunchae finally shining a bit more. Honestly it felt like Sakura was nowhere to be found this album. Though I found the transition from CRAZY to HOT a complete 360, I think with time the album might grow on you! (at least that's my hope anyway) That's how EASY was for me, the album grew on me after a while and i started to enjoy it a lot more Regardless of how I feel I can totally understand where you're coming from and respect your options!!! Again, enjoyed the video!!

phae

i think they released it now so they can promote the comeback and then tour with this album. but i completely agree that they should have done pre-release and bigger summer album.

Maya

this album surprisingly is consistent for me, but at the same time, does nothing memorable for me to come back. im just so over with these songs that have no bridge or build (just goes to show how the company only cares about streaming culture). they nearly had it like ash is sooo good but goes nowhere melodically or vocally after the second postchorus. it's also kinda sad to me how they don't really have cohesion when it comes to transitioning eras with title tracks and are unfortunately made to look like trend hoppers by their company with every single era when they have access to so many producers with the label they're under; especially since the comeback is titled "HOT," with such a great concept visually, it felt so rushed musically. if they waited and developed these songs and added one or two more, they could've had an amazing summer comeback. pre-release single now that branches off of crazy but goes in the direction of the new album that gets promoted, then hot gets released in april. they nearly had it set up perfectly they never fail at performance and visuals but they're so musically lost like they'll have great moments but then completely go in a different direction for no reason since it doesn't really add much... for me, the closest they've gotten in terms of growth was going from easy (only the song... cause the mini is so inconsistent) to the crazy mini album. i thought maybe it has to do with the groups i like as well, but fromis at least had consistency and was under hybe... even once gfriend was acquired, they created great transitions from album to album

Jonathan

YESS like all that is sooo important to establishing what a group is about!!

Koko3op

I do understand!! Maybe with time i'll feel the same if i choose to revisit it!

Koko3op

Yess those songs worked well for them!

Koko3op

OOHH i love this! You ate and i agree with everything you said!

Koko3op

The stuff you touch on with regards to their identity and stuff like that is something that's becoming increasingly frustrating to me. With their level of success and this many years into it I would expect to feel that I have a better grip on what they're about musically, but it all just feels like stuff coming and going. It's not like genre-hopping and switching sounds is doomed to be that way either (though it obviously does making establishing yourself more difficult), a group like NMIXX can be just as all over the place but I still feel at least more of a throughline in their case. I think member identity may play a significant part in that as well though. I think LSF have distinct identities as performers on stage and as people in their content and all that stuff, but less so musically. I'm happy to see Kazuha taking major strides towards becoming a bigger part of the group, but for the longest time it felt basically like the Chaewon/Yunjin feat. Friends Show when it came to the actual music. They've had the most distinct thing going and I think they're also the most capable singers, and it's been kind of an issue that the rest of them have at least in my eyes struggled to carve out identities of their own within their music. That's something that definitely helps a group like NMIXX, to return to the previous example. Somebody like Jiwoo isn't the strongest singer in the group but we all know what she does and how she fits into the whole, and all those members having clearer identities and sounds I think makes it so that you kind of have an anchoring when genres and sounds are shifting all over the place otherwise. Meanwhile over in LSF, what even is an Eunchae part? What's Sakura's "thing?" I don't mean to bag on them, it's not like they're making all the music, but it feels like 60% of that group has just spent most of their career so far singing leftovers for the sake of line distribution, not singing because THEY'RE the right person for THIS part.

J

I understand your point of view, but I don’t agree. I believe this is the most consistent and solid album they have released to date, especially considering that the girls themselves said it’s the album that feels most like them. What you see as a lack of identity is actually what I love most about them—their versatility. I follow you because I enjoy hearing your opinion, even when it differs from mine; you help me see things from different perspectives. I hope you’ve understood my point of view. 🫶🏼

keisi _DLOP

Lukewarm at best. HOT needs an actual bridge or ending it literally just ends. I do like the instrumental.

chiefchilly1

Listening to the songs, it really gives me like early 2000s pop when everyone was going like this electric retro style of music. I also think they might be trying to find their sound with the members helping produce and write the songs

Tyisha

I've personally been enjoying this album cause it caters more to genres I like but from a more objective view I am a little disapointed. Also this is more about the groups general direction but it seems they swap every comeback with a step in the right direction with a step in the wrong direction. Seemingly never allowing their popularity to really build momentum. But hopefully now that they're done with this 2nd trilogy they can hopefully look back on what has worked and at least narrow it down to a smaller selection of sounds that have worked for them going forward. Like to me crazy, antifragile, eve psyche ..., impurities, blue flame, perfect night, 1-800 (and a few more) are the songs that have really worked for them and from that we have like 3 'distinct' sounds that can all coherently fit together. If they could comeback 2-3 times in a row with most of the songs in this narrower selection they could probably actually build momentum hopefully similar to how aespa has been doing since they found their groove post spicy.

Mongoose

Can’t believe I almost forgot: AND ANOTHER THING. LET THE SPOKEN WORD TRACKS GO! WE GET IT! LET IT GO! (You know it’s bad when one of your favorite songs on the album is the spoken word track😭)

Nina Sera

Ok I’m here to write my dissertation😭 I think lsf is really suffering from the way Hybe uses them to try to ride the mainstream/whatever is popular on TikTok. I also think the concept Hybe went with for this second trilogy really flopped. The first trilogy was fairly cohesive musically and established their strong fearless concept. Then they did a 180 and did a trilogy with three completely different sounds (for the title tracks and the bsides) and 2/3 concepts being softer. I agree with everyone else that this was the wrong choice of sound for hot, it should’ve been a grungy rocker pop sound, intensifying the fierceness of crazy. If easy had been the only chill title/album in the trilogy it wouldn’t have been so jarring, but going chill/fierce/chill was a terrible idea. I think they had this hot sound picked out before crazy, and even though crazy did well lsf are still overall in the middle of a hate train so it feels like they just want to get this era over with and move past it instead of putting in any effort to save it. And on that note. I think part of the reason this isn’t hitting/doesn’t feel personal to them is because it doesn’t address any of what they’re going through. It’s just generic Hybe songs when their original fearless concept was perfect for what they’re going through right now, so it feels especially disjointed. I know doing another trilogy in that concept could’ve risked being overkill like “ok but can’t they do anything else” but idk Hybe MAYBE EVERYTHING DOESNT NEED TO BE A TRILOGY MAYBE JUST MAKE THE MUSIC THAT MAKES SENSE. Anyway. Now that they’re done with this era I hope they get a good rest and reset and think about what actually makes sense for lsf as a group and not just what the next popular sound in music is gonna be in under 2:30. And free lsf from bangpd, he needs to retire from making music at least for a few years, he’s just tired and generic and corporate. My final theory is I want to believe that they were working on hot during end of year performances and that’s why that one crazy performance gave no face, bc they had already transitioned back into a softer mindset. But we still deserve that performance with full face!😤 Finally, Eunchae ate that blonde bob, I hope she brings it out some this comeback😂

Nina Sera

ive seen people say this but what about it was giving sabrina?

jess

LOOOL beautifully said

Koko3op

they tried reheating sabrina carpenters nachos but idk if im THAT hungry you know. I need them to get crazy again bc this is too flat for me.

Andrew Wendt

I hear this!! Also I think maybe it should've been named something else. HOT Is such a strong word you expect intensity lol

Koko3op

I honestly get your point, and I kind of expected people to be underwhelmed by this comeback, especially after Crazy, even though it was polarizing. But I’ve come to expect a different sound with each comeback, even though it may be perceived as a lack of group identity. Going from Fearless to Antifragile, then Unforgiven, and now Easy to Crazy to Hot, like they definitely love their trilogies with distinct styles. That’s something I’ve actually grown to love, and overall, I really enjoyed this comeback and album. It’s not my favorite from them, but I’m honestly surprised by how much I love Hot, even though I wish the song were longer. I also really like Ash!

Axid

All of this!!!

Koko3op

I think this album it doesn’t tell us anything about le sserafim like it feels like they’re covering songs without adding their special touch…same thing with come over like it was produced by jungle but it feels like a jungle song than a them song. They need their own sound or niche that they expand ( Ash is the best song on the album )

Nicolas

i do kinda feel this album is a perfect example of hybe's output at it's worst. not in the sense that the music is ugly or particularly bad it's just such a nothingburger and sounds so uninspired. not only the members themselves sound bored on this it actually feels like the producers said let's get something remotely vibey and then alright i'm out my job here is done. none of the tracks here have any sense of dynamics or direction it all sounds so stagnant and monotonous and that's honestly a feat considering they are barely over two minutes long. also i can hear in the title track a bit of that horrible vocal overprocessing they love to do which my god JAIL!!!!!

Luna

All of this!!! And thank youuuu

Koko3op

This album was so disappointing, I agree - these girls have so much potential, I wish they'd be allowed to show more of their own vision because I feel like the company just throws whatever is popular at them and they don't get to have their own unique sound. Thank you for sharing your honest opinions, its okay if not everyone agrees

LeeLi_007

I was wondering what your thoughts were about this! I did end up liking the songs just bc they're my vibe and I really loved all of the falsetto they used. I especially think kazuha got her chance to shine vocally for this album. But I totally agree that it just doesn't fit their identity/discography. It still just feels like they're all over the place. And how SHORT all the songs are is genuinely starting to piss me off. I think I'm just getting frustrated bc u can kinda tell that they don't care as much about artistry and identity for their girl groups. Like why do they have such cohesive and identifiable concepts and lore for their boy groups and throw together random concepts for their girls groups?? Anyways, I always love hearing your thoughts

K Angel

Agreed!! Like look at Aespa, SM released Whiplash after seeing how big Armageddon and Supernova and sonically it worked. Just brilliant work! HYBE is confused

Koko3op

Honestly I was so disappointed in this album... I had such high hopes coming out of Crazy too. I really don't understand how NOONE at HYBE saw Crazy blow up internationally, and thought "Oh, we should delay the upcoming comeback, and ride the Crazy wave"; and I think that's what annoys me more? Like the album isn't THAT bad, it just has nothing special going for it and I'm BORED of them constantly changing it up without a "Le Sserafim sound". It reminds me of when XG kept changing and changing, but at least they've FINALLY found a sound. XG were just lucky it was before I got too sick of it lol. Even then, it's not hard to have a signature sound and still switch it up. Look at ATEEZ for example, they have so many different sounding title tracks and yet you could tell and ATEEZ song is an ATEEZ song regardless of the sound. They could've done something housey like Crazy, but maybe introduce a bit of hyperpop and ride the Charli XCX wave. IDK, but at least add a little juice and personality to it.

seungtakho

Everything you said, I said too pretty much! Spot on!!

Koko3op

Hard agree!

Koko3op

I don't hate this EP it was just strange honestly, especially coming from the high that was Crazy. The lack of cohesion in their sound is just a bit annoying lol. Why not ride that Crazy wave a little longer?? Bc there's no way they did not see the amount of love/attention the MV alone got. When groups try a different genre every single comeback, like what's the actual point fr??? It just shows lack of identity/purpose in their music. For me, staying within a sound doesn't mean a group is stagnant but more trying to grow/master a sound. I'd rather them think "how can we elevate a song?" Instead we get "This song did well so let's do something different???" It's also just easier and more exciting to see an artist's growth that way instead of trying every genre under then sun. Especially for newer groups finding that strong foundation is important and Crazy potentially could've been that for them But as always appreciate the honest reactions ♥

Andots101

I feel like this album would’ve worked better as a summer special rather than a first comeback of the year.

Tricia

Agreed! I’d do it often if I could

Koko3op

commenting again just to say whenever you do album listens, i appreciate you watching choreo when it’s available for some songs!! especially since songs like “come over” the whole point is the choreography, it just brings a different perspective on some songs imo.

Marii

Loved it haha no worries and yes a full album would be great. I’d love for them to have their Armageddon moment !

Koko3op

The come over choreo and live stage is just TOO good

💘

Personally, I think this is their most cohesive album since their debut, which is a step in the right direction. I do enjoy all the songs, but I agree that this album doesn’t really add much to their discography. The title track, in particular, felt incomplete—like it was only two-thirds finished. I’m not sure why it ends that way, especially when the song’s vibe would have worked well with a slower bridge and high ad-libs. Although I enjoy the vast majority of LSF’s music, I’m curious to see what direction they’ll take post-tour. Their team has been planning these two trilogies for a while now, considering all the hints and teasers they’ve dropped during their end-of-year performances—even from a year or two ago. So, it will be interesting to see what route they take once the pre-planned material ends and they start incorporating feedback from previous releases. I’ve noticed that groups tend to refine their musical identity after touring, so I’m excited to see if the same will happen for the girls. Plus, I think their creative director recently changed. I just hope they release more fleshed-out, longer songs with more ad-libs instead of these short two-minute tracks. Their team should really focus on creating longer, cohesive albums that capture the specific vibe and attitude that makes the group special. Technically, they still don’t have a full album—Unforgiven was more of a repackaged release. From watching the fimmies' content and documentaries, I think they have a lot of potential and a unique “thing” about them, similar to how I felt about bts and twice. (Side note, I'd love for you to react to some of their content, whether it be their Day Off Jeju series, Leniverse, or their documentaries to get a feel for their personalities.) I really believe they could do something amazing. Also, I need the beats from their trailers and intros to be incorporated into their title tracks or B-sides because I always love the sound in the trailers, only to find out it’s just part of the intro. Little fact: Yunah Sheep, who directed the Crazy MV, also made this one! I’m pretty sure she also directed the MV for Enhypen’s No Doubt. Sorry for the long post, lol!

Sal

Yesss i hear this and nah this isn't long at alll haha

Koko3op

Come Over is sooo jungle (it was produced by them) I literally can't think of anything else when I listen to it. It literally had their vocals in the background and the repeated chorus is also so them and it also doesn't help that it's a full English song. And honestly I don't think its a good thing if your are listening to the song and all you can think about is someone else singing it. I doesn't feel like le sserfim brought any of their own identity to the song it seems like they took the demo and just copied it exactly. Sorry for the long paragraph😭.

Trinity Martin

hopefully it grows on you, hot isn’t their best TT for sure but it’s vibey, “come over” is blowing up and i hope to see an Ash MV😭 thanks for reacting as always

Lando B

Although it isn’t like official or anything, I see their musical branding having both laid back themes (fearless, perfect night, easy, hot) and more “out-there” themes (antifragile, unforgiven, crazy). I always end up liking their title tracks, but my criticism comes with these basically 2 minute songs… if they actually finished these songs, there may be an opportunity to elevate musically instead of sticking to songs that seem like they don’t have any variation throughout. Now that I think of it, maybe that’s their musical identity 🤔😂 Hot is on repeat atm though 🫢

Teej

It's funny, I knew from the snippets that I would love this album, and I actually do. My thoughts were literally: as long as the songs keep the vibe of this (the snippets) i'll like it. It fits my taste a lot. While listening to it for the first time, I was also wondering about Le sserafim's branding...it feels like them (to me), but not really. It's strange. Still, i love it. Also, i was really curious about your opinion, I thought you wouldn't really like it.

Daniela

Yes I mean musically which I believe is the most imporrant part

Koko3op

I’m enjoying this mini album.

Seny

The one thing I don’t understand is the critique about the lack of consistent branding because to me I do think they have a very clear brand. Unless you mean musically but as an overall concept they do have a really connective string in all their comebacks so that’s been a very interesting criticism but I agree with everything else. I do think personally they would have stayed within the crazy lane if not for so much critique and (I’ll be honest for a good portion of social media) hate as of recent I think they wanted to go in a more melodic direction especially with this new push they’ve made for Kazuha as a emerging vocalist for them. However it’s undercut by not fully letting them sing as you said But I didn’t hate this album I think Come Over was their title track and they missed the opportunity on that

Skipz12

Yeahhh I think HYBE has side stepped HARD!

Koko3op

Omggg I don’t think they will!!

Koko3op

Le Sserafim is a mystery to me cause from the very beginning they had the right ideas for these girls; the kind of runway/ housey intros, performance forward tt and some rnb influenced songs with airy/ heady vocals but I feel like Hybe is so focused on making all their groups sound the same that they miss the mark a lot of the time. Loved "Ash" but like you said I wish they weren’t so scared to let the girls try to sing a bit more. Cause even with average vocals they could’ve pulled off great ad libs in there at the end and we know they have some really pretty tones and good technique in the group.

Chloé Hoarau

really? i feel like most girls always keep in their realm? am i crazy 😂😂 but then again while i personally quite enjoy change in concept & tt’s i can totally see how this can underwhelm people & how some people don’t enjoy it! all i can say is NMIXX DONT LET ME DOWN ON MONDAY!!!

Marii

GDHSHDHSHHDHSHS TEA

Koko3op

Tbh I feel like 85% of girls always change their sounds for title tracks and that inherently means you don’t have an identity although visually they would but that’s not unique to them. You could say IVE, Babymon and now H2H are models too 😭

Koko3op

Omg yes! The name does not suit the song at all! Great point

Koko3op

You need to not subscribe to reactors and go back to your bubble you live in. Also, the album was a disappointment. He is not wrong with anything he said.

Kyle

Ash imo is just TOO GOOD

ati

"Everyone else loves it." ive seen a lot of people disliking it

morela

You subscribed to him to listen to his opinion on music and then you get mad when he does? 😱

4thmemberofpaboracha

The albums dead be fr

Ramla

I get what you mean with "lack of consistent branding". They're consistent with the overall group concept - they often include fashion/runway elements especially in their comeback trailers, but musically they're all over the place. Crazy is such a good song, it set my expectations way too high. Once the snippets dropped I knew that I'm not gonna like Hot. I like associations and patterns. The title "Crazy" suited the crazier, louder sond of the song. "Easy" was a simpler song, easy to listen to. And "Hot"... There's nothing hot about this song, it's "warm" at best lol. I guess i expected something more energetic? Something Antifragile-esque, similar in vibe. They chose the safe route. Also: where's the bridge...... Somebody pls remind Hybe that bridges exsist and that if a song is good people will stream it even if its longer. I really like Ash tho, this album overall isn't their worst but it's just underwhelming.

morela

woah, i’m surprised, honestly thought you’d quite enjoy this one :o considering le sserafim is like the one group where they ALWAYS change their sound for their title track, i don’t really agree w the identity thing tbh, the only identity thing they have & keep the same is “runway model concept” which they do in all the trailers & stuff. i personally really enjoy hearing them try out SOO many different genres rather than (for example) new jeans who found their sound and never stray/never try anything different vocally. one thing i agree w is some songs especially on this album would be 200% better if their were adlibs or something of that nature. 🥲 like yunjin cmon girl gimme something.

Marii

I mean he is allowed to have an opinion and it's wasn't all negative to begin he gave proper criticism, just say you wanted to leave

Arol meyitang

Its ok for everyone to have different opinions…

Chebel

Well, you lost a subscriber. Can't believe i paid 1 year for this

Winnifred

It's a bit disappointing because, in my opinion, this is their best album.

Winnifred

Wow. I am honestly surprised by your review because I think you are the only one who feels that way. Everyone else loves it.

Winnifred


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