LE SSERAFIM recently made headlines at the VMAs, but the group’s leader, Chaewon, has come under fire for her English skills.
On September 16, LE SSERAFIM was celebrated for their achievements, including performances at Coachella and appearances on American TV. Despite their success, the group has faced criticism regarding their skills, especially in English.
As an internationally focused group, English proficiency is closely watched. Within LE SSERAFIM, main vocalist Huh Yunjin and Japanese member Kazuha are noted for their strong English skills. They often handle interviews and interactions abroad.
At the VMAs, LE SSERAFIM attracted a lot of international media attention. Yunjin handled most of the interviews, but during one, leader Kim Chaewon struggled with an English question. She appeared confused and couldn’t understand the question, even with Yunjin translating it into Korean.
Chaewon remained frozen and unable to respond, leading Kazuha to step in and answer on her behalf. Chaewon tried to cover her embarrassment with a smile, but the moment was widely shared online.
Criticism poured in, with many questioning LE SSERAFIM’s readiness for the international market. Some netizens felt Chaewon’s struggle indicated a lack of effort to improve her English skills.
Fans, however, have defended Chaewon. They argue that language skills improve with time and that the criticism might be unfairly harsh.
They point out that many Korean idols face similar language barriers without as much backlash, and LE SSERAFIM’s three foreign members demonstrate that the group has strong English capabilities.
Source: [1]