LE SSERAFIM is set to give fans another intimate look into their lives with their newly announced second documentary, MAKE IT LOOK EASY — and many scenes from the trailer are already causing sadness and distress among fans.
Released on July 28, the trailer begin with several positive clips from the group’s recent career activities, from a meeting with fans to a scene that appears to depict the members’ happy reaction to Eunchae‘s appointment as KBS Music Bank MC.
is this when they heard the news that eunchae passed music bank’s mc audition 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/CqXBBQUVJR
— ً (@echaerubim) July 27, 2024
However, things soon take a turn for the worst in a series of clips showing the members’ struggles. In one scene, for example, Chaewon can be seen receiving an IV drip.
chaewon on iv drips 🙏😭 my precious girl pic.twitter.com/l0TkJujQI6
— le sserafim pics (@sserapics) July 27, 2024
Other scenes appear to show LE SSERAFIM experiencing exhaustion during schedules, and in one clip, Yunjin is shown in tears. Dotted throughout the trailer are emotionally vulnerable voiceovers from the members; Kazuha tells the camera, “I’m happy, but I’m not satisfied.”
In yet another scene, a member staff desperately asks the documentary director to stop filming as Sakura seems to be in a state of extreme distress. Some have suggested that it looks like Sakura is collapsing or in a state of panic, though the specifics are yet unclear.
it hurts me to see sakura like this :((( pic.twitter.com/foEofKkk9K
— joe (@elsserafim) July 27, 2024
Eagle-eyed fans spotted that the clip of Sakura appears to have been taken back in May last year, on the same day it was said that she would not be able to attend an event to promote “Unforgiven” due to ill health. Despite feeling unwell, Sakura still appeared that day to greet fans.
230501 sakura kfans tweeted:
Sakura’s greeting… at this time, she didn’t show any signs of pain, so no one knew… she kept giving hearts and waving hands in every corner.
Ah, professionalism is good, but don’t hide your pain. My heart is broken 😭 pic.twitter.com/2dfLkZ7nN8 https://t.co/o44iW45u6j— Kuragawa³⁹ #明るい夜 (@kuragawa1) July 27, 2024
Naturally, the trailer’s depiction of LE SSERAFIM’s physical and mental wellbeing has sparked worry and upset among FEARNOTs. Some have said they’re not sure whether they’ll be able to watch the documentary’s emotional scenes, while others say they’re “heartbroken” by the clips.
chaewon on iv drips, eunchae being absolutely exhausted and sakura collapsing
we are not ready pic.twitter.com/ZPCZALPiPD
— le sserafim pics (@lesserafimpics_) July 27, 2024
Adding an extra layer of concern, this isn’t the first time fans have been worried about the members’ health. Earlier this year, Chaewon sparked a discussion over the large number of vitamins and supplements she takes, from pills for her joints to multivitamins.
At the time, many insisted that someone of her age should not need to take so many supplements unless they aren’t eating a nutritious diet.
some people might think this is good but this is not good. consuming too many pills is not good for our body too. https://t.co/XG8U7WJbzd
— yaya♡ (@abcdefyaya) February 26, 2024
Equally, the timing of MAKE IT LOOK EASY is particularly significant, given the negative comments LE SSERAFIM has received over the past several months. From backlash over their Coachella performance to controversy regarding statements made by ADOR head Min Hee Jin, the response towards the group became so harsh that the members’ Instagram comments had to be disabled in June.
In the trailer’s voiceover, Eunchae can be heard saying, “To me, the word ‘success’ feels really far away.” Sakura, meanwhile, questions, Was an idol really the job that I can do best?” Both members received particularly strong criticism following Coachella. Eunchae’s Instagram was flooded with malicious comments suggesting she had not worked hard enough, while several netizens made harmful remarks insisting Sakura was not suitable for the idol career. Similar comments have continued ever since; when Sakura had to skip a schedule earlier this year due to illness, Korean online community sites were flooded with accusations of unprofessionalism.
this hits so much harder now🥺 sakura is always there holding eunchae’s hand during her hardest times even in her dreams❤️🩹🫂 pic.twitter.com/d7mplV0zNu
— ً (@echaerubim) July 27, 2024
Now, many are hoping that this new documentary will help those who sent toxic hate comments to the group see them as “human.”
LE SSERAFIM is gonna take us of what they go through behind-the-scenes — I hope people can watch this documentary with an open heart and an open mind, especially those who have been harassing them for the previous months. LE SSERAFIM are humans too. pic.twitter.com/VktjtmSgZD
— joe (@elsserafim) July 27, 2024
LE SSERAFIM’s 2022 documentary, The World is My Oyster, received acclaim among K-Pop fans for showing sides of idols that aren’t normally seen. MAKE IT LOOK EASY is set to release on July 29 at 8:00pm KST.
