This Emotional Theory Behind LE SSERAFIM’s “Unforgiven” Trailer Will Give You Chills
LE SSERAFIM recently released a trailer for their upcoming comeback with their first studio album Unforgiven. The trailer, titled Burn the Bridge, immediately became a hot topic all over social media. The video posted on YouTube has garnered more than 2,300,000 views and 290,000 likes.
Burn the Bridge was loved by fans and non-fans alike, with many commenting on the flawless visuals and the members’ impressive acting skills. A lot of people have also been wondering what the deeper meaning behind the trailer is. Due to its unique sequence of scenes and settings, fans have started theorizing about what Burn the Bridge could mean for the members and the comeback itself.
The trailer starts with an ominous clip of red liquid forming a growing puddle on the floor, as LE SSERAFIM’s name fades into view. It then cuts to each of the members, each of whom is in a different and unique situation.
Sakura is seen with bruises on her face as she narrates “The darkness drives me into a corner and forces me to choose.”
Chaewon walks into the frame nearing an unbloomed tree and reveals she has a metallic cyborg-like arm
Kazuha is shown in an elevator with enormous angel wings wrapped around her body.
Yunjin makes her entrance while holding a book, from where a purple flower starts blooming.
Lastly, Eunchae takes the viewers back to the opening shot, as she stands on the table where the spilled red liquid was coming from. The room is revealed to be a kitchen, and there’s a horse keeping Eunchae company as well.
From the range of scenes and settings, it’s understandable why fans have turned to reading theories, or even creating their own, in an attempt to make sense of the trailer. One popular theory, shared on DC GALL, has been acknowledged by most fans by now, with many agreeing with OP’s point of view and explanation.
The theory starts off simple: the trailer tells the story of each LE SSERAFIM member before and after joining the group.
In Kazuha’s case, the video shows how the idol had originally dreamt of becoming a ballerina — the angel wings display the gracefulness a ballerina needs to have. This changes, however, after she finds a ring with the LE SSERAFIM logo. Once the idol puts it on, her angel wings start to burn, meaning she let go of her ballerina life and the burning could represent Kazuha’s “burning desire” to become a successful idol.
For Sakura, OP suggested that the bruises and scars on her face are there to remind everyone of the many years she worked hard as an idol, in Japan, and in South Korea. She stands in front of a mirror, which could represent how she’s always in front of cameras and other people. Sakura looks worn out and tired until her pupils shape into a blue heart and the mirror that once showed her alone, reveals the rest of her members as well.
Chaewon’s cyborg situation is certainly an interesting one. The fan theorized that her “dramatic transformation” through the robotic arm symbolizes how much the idol wanted the change her image. The tree is also an interesting scenery as it is filled with IV bags, which according to OP symbolize the fan’s love. Eventually, the tree starts overflowing with the blue liquid, and Chaewon starts receiving likes more than ever before.
On the other hand, Yunjin is shown with a book. According to the theory, this is a nod to Yunjin’s decision to give up on the idol industry after multiple survival shows and start studying to go to college. The flower blooming out of the book represents the life Yunjin could’ve had, had she followed that path. With her members next to her, Yunjin throws the book away, and the flower that had begun to bloom starts burning away, creating a fire.
Finally, Eunchae is seen standing in a small “prison-like” kitchen. The theory suggested that the setting represents Eunchae’s hard trainee life that might’ve made her feel trapped. In later scenes, the young idol is seen breaking the plates and setting the kitchen on fire. Amidst the chaos caused by a rebelling Eunchae, Yunjin is seen on the horse, which could mean she came to rescue the younger girl from the prison-like kitchen.
The last few scenes that show the girls together, holding hands, demonstrate how the members are now connected with each other and much happier. The five girls are now happily running around on a beach, which shows how they are free of their troubles in the past.
