LE SSERAFIM Documentary ‘Make It Look Easy' review: A close-up look at the girl group's steel resilience in the face of massive odds

HYBE subsidiary SOURCE MUSIC dropped the docu-series, LE SSERAFIM Documentary ‘Make It Look Easy', on July 29, 2024. The five episodes encapsulated the rookie girl group's journey to stardom despite being subject to harsh public criticism.

LE SSERAFIM debuted in May 2022 with six members including Kazuha, Huh Yunjin, Kim Ga-ram, Chaewon, Sakura, and 16-year-old Hong Eunchae. However, Ga-ram left the group after getting embroiled in an alleged high school bullying case and since then the five-piece girl group has been under public scrutiny.

The latest docu-series sheds light on the hardships each member faced to make their debut as HYBE's first girl group. Practicing till 2 am then heading to KBS for an early morning Music Bank shoot, the members barely got to rest. Still, their voices resounded throughout every episode, stating, "I want to do my best."

Staying true to their group name "LE SSERAFIM" which is an anagram of "I'm fearless," the five girls share their unseen journeys with their fans. Notably, LE SSERAFIM became the first 4th Generation girl group to perform at the 2024 Coachella. They also won the Favorite Dance Performance Female Group at the 2023 MAMA Awards, cementing them as one of the promising rookie groups.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this docu-series review belong solely to the author.

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LE SSERAFIM documentary focuses on the members, their struggles, and their determination to do better for the fans

The first episode opened with the group's youngest member, Hong Eunchae, who is loved by her fanbase for being "cute." However, the documentary showed a new side of her where the 16-year-old displayed more resilience than any adult. After having an anxiety attack during the rehearsal performance of their media show for ANTI-FRAGILE, she collapsed, being unable to breathe properly.

Despite her entire crew, group members, and managers telling her to take rest and sit out the performance, Eunchae, refused to give up and headed straight to the stage after resting for a brief moment. Her only reason—"I need to do this no matter what."

Huh Yunjin's journey from before her debut to the present was the focus of episode two. Her debut objective, as she told HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk, was to change idol stereotypes, which inspired her to write the song I ≠ DOLL.

Furthermore, Yunjin, a K-pop idol herself, didn't think twice about showing her bare face with freckles on cameras. As did the other members, which is a testament to the girl group's relationship with their fans—of being authentic. Following this was Sakura's journey where she revealed being the only member to have faced the harshest criticism among all.

Sakura, the second Japanese member of LE SSERAFIM after Kazuha, kept performing despite collapsing due to exhaustion. Even when the managers asked her to take a breather, an exhausted Sakura meekly requested them to take her back to the rehearsals.

It is quite disturbing to watch the young girls practice over 15 to 18 hours every day to deliver a perfect show for their fans, only to beat themselves for having missed a beat on stage. The K-pop business is widely recognized for its intense training routines and nutrition regimes. Nonetheless, it was refreshing to see how much the managers and staff of LE SSERAFIM cared about the five girls.

Episode 5 brings the documentary to the girl group's 2023 English digital single, Perfect Night, in collaboration with Overwatch 2. The song's overnight success on the global spectrum shot them up to #76 on the Billboard Global 200 Excl. US Chart at #39 and on the Global 200 chart. Their first-ever entry on the charts.

Even though Chaewon is appreciative of her path and accomplishments, she nonetheless breaks down. She apologized for being overly sentimental and said that although she loves her journey, she frequently feels like giving up since it is extremely exhausting.

For fans and industry insiders, Chaewon's admission that "I think, I shouldn't be exhausted" serves as an important reminder about the strict routines that are placed on the idols. Impressively, SOURCE MUSIC—a HYBE subsidiary and LE SSERAFIM's agency—didn't try to hide the harsh reality behind the cameras.

LE SSERAFIM Documentary ‘Make It Look Easy' is an emotionally disturbing close-up look behind the curtain of the glamorous entertainment industry. It's alarming to watch young girls and boys work themselves to the bone to deliver a memorable performance, yet their efforts often get unrecognized by many.

However, it's also relieving to see their loyal fans holding their hands and walking beside them every step of the way.

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LE SSERAFIM Documentary ‘Make It Look Easy' has five episodes and they are available on the HYBE's YouTube channel.