Word reaches me from Seoul, a city I know only through diplomatic cables and late-night K-pop binges. The five women of Le Sserafim have pulled off something remarkable. They've put the band back together. And the UK music industry, ever alert to a redemption arc, is clapping loudly.
The whispers of internal strife had been growing. A member's departure. Labels circling. The kind of story that usually ends with a messy press release and a forgotten hashtag. But Le Sserafim did something different. They locked down. They talked. They got back in the practice room.
I'm told the final peace deal was brokered over soju and a shared hatred of jet lag. The result? A new single. A world tour announcement. And a collective sigh of relief from an industry that desperately needs more success stories.
Now, why does this matter in a world of inflation and crumbling infrastructure? Because the music industry is a bellwether. If these five women can navigate the crocodile-pit of K-pop, where image is everything and loyalty is fleeting, then maybe there's hope for the rest of us.
London's management firms are watching closely. Source: they're already drafting emails about 'synergies' and 'cross-platform opportunities.' The usual guff. But beneath the jargon, there's genuine admiration. Le Sserafim didn't just survive. They came back stronger.
Let's not sentimentalise. This is a business. But it's also a story about grit. In a world of manufactured pop, this feels a bit real. The UK industry, still reeling from Brexit and streaming wars, needs a bit of that Seoul spirit.
I'll be watching the tour dates. If they sell out the O2, expect a flurry of think pieces. If they don't, well, there's always the next comeback. But for now, raise a glass to Le Sserafim. They've earned it.
