Fearless (Le Sserafim Song)

"Fearless" is the debut single recorded by South Korean girl group Le Sserafim for their debut extended play (EP) of the same name. It was released as the EP's lead single by Source Music on May 2, 2022. The Japanese version was released digitally on December 15, 2022, and physically on January 25, 2023, as the group's Japanese debut single by EMI Records and Universal Music Japan.

The song was commercially successful and peaked within the top ten in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea, while the Japanese version topped the ''Billboard'' Japan Hot 100 and Oricon Singles Chart. It has been certified platinum for streaming in Japan and South Korea, and double platinum for physical sales in Japan.

Background and release

On March 14, 2022, Source Music announced it would be debuting a new girl group in collaboration with Hybe Corporation. One week later, Hybe Corporation announced the group would be debuting in May. On April 13, it was announced the group would be releasing their debut extended play ''Fearless'' on May 2. On April 25, the track listing was released, with "Fearless" announced as the lead single, followed by a highlight medley video two days later. Music video teasers for "Fearless" were released on April 29 and May 1, respectively. The release of the Japanese version of the song was announced on November 25 as part of Le Sserafim's Japanese debut on January 25, 2023.

Composition

"Fearless" was written and composed by Score (13), Megatone (13), Supreme Boi, Blvsh, Jaro, Nikolay Mohr, "Hitman" Bang, Oneye, Josefin Glenmark, Emmy Kasai, Kyler Niko, Pau, and Destiny Rogers. Musically, the song was described as funk-based alternative pop and dance-pop song with lyrics that "tells the story of moving forward without being shaken by the past". "Fearless" was composed in the key of A minor, with a tempo of 104 beats per minute.

Commercial performance

"Fearless" debuted at number 85 on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart in the chart issue dated May 1–7, 2022. It rose to number 12 in the chart issue dated May 22–28, 2022. On the ''Billboard'' South Korea Songs chart, "Fearless" debuted at number 11 in the chart issue dated May 14, 2022, ascending to number four in the chart issue dated May 28, 2022.

In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 27 on the RMNZ Hot Singles in the chart issue dated May 9, 2022. In Japan, the song debuted at number nine on the ''Billboard Japan'' Hot 100 in the chart issue dated May 11, 2022. On the Oricon Combined Singles Chart, the song debuted at number 13 in the chart issue dated May 16, 2022.

In Singapore, "Fearless" debuted at number eight on the RIAS Top Streaming Chart in the chart issue dated May 6–12, 2022, peaking at number seven the following week. The song also debuted at number 13 on the RIAS Top Regional Chart in the chart issue dated April 29 – May 5, 2022, ascending to number four in the following week. On the ''Billboard'' Singapore Songs chart, "Fearless" debuted at 11 in the chart issue dated May 21, 2022. In Malaysia, the song debuted at number 12 on the ''Billboard'' Malaysia Songs chart in the chart issue dated May 21, 2022. It also peaked at number eight on the RIM International Singles Streaming Chart in the chart issue dated May 13–19, 2022. In Taiwan, the song debuted at number 14 on the ''Billboard'' Taiwan Songs chart in the chart issue dated May 21, 2022. In Indonesia, "Fearless" debuted at number 20 on the ''Billboard'' Indonesia Songs chart in the chart issue dated May 21, 2022, ascending to number 19 in the following week. On the ''Billboard'' Vietnam Hot 100, the song debuted at number 65 in the chart issue dated May 12, 2022, ascending to number 36 in the following week.

In United States, "Fearless" debuted at number 14 on the ''Billboard'' World Digital Song Sales chart in the chart issue dated May 14, 2022, ascending to number 12 the following week. The song debuted at number 155 on the ''Billboard'' Global 200 and number 74 on the ''Billboard'' Global Excl. U.S. in the chart issue dated May 14, 2022. It ascended to number 69 on the ''Billboard'' Global 200 and number 48 on the ''Billboard'' Global Excl. U.S. the following week.

The Japanese version of "Fearless" debuted atop of the daily ranking of the Oricon Singles Chart on its first day, selling 132,621 physical copies. It finished at number one on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart with 222,286 units sold, while ''Billboard Japan'' recorded 321,717 sales from January 23–29, 2023. The single was later certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for selling over 500,000 units.

Promotion

Following the release of ''Fearless'', Le Sserafim held a live showcase on the same date to introduce the extended play and communicate with fans. The group performed "Fearless" and "Blue Flame" during the showcase. They subsequently performed on three music programs: Mnet's ''M Countdown'' on May 5, and KBS's ''Music Bank'' on May 6, and SBS's ''Inkigayo'' on May 8. In the second week, they performed on five music programs: SBS MTV's ''The Show'' on May 10, MBC M's ''Show Champion'' on May 11, Mnet's ''M Countdown'' on May 12, KBS's ''Music Bank'' on May 13, and SBS's ''Inkigayo'' on May 15, where they won first place for their appearance on ''The Show'' and ''Music Bank''. In the third week, Le Sserafim performed on ''The Show'' on May 17, where they won first place. In the fifth week, they performed on ''Show Champion'' on June 1, where they won first place.

The Japanese version of "Fearless" was performed on the ''73rd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen'' music program on New Year's Eve in 2022.

Accolades

Music Bank controversy

Le Sserafim's win on the May 13 broadcast of KBS' ''Music Bank'' was met with controversy after allegations of score manipulation surfaced. According to ''Segye Ilbo'', the program received complaints regarding fellow first place nominee Lim Young-woong's score of zero in the broadcast category. The program initially claimed that his song "If We Ever Meet Again" was not played on any of their digital content, therefore accumulating zero points in the category; however, it was pointed out that it was in fact played on several KBS radio stations. On August 24, producers of the show were charged for manipulating scores. On February 10, 2023, police investigation concluded that KBS were not guilty and that Le Sserafim rightfully won their first place trophy on ''Music Bank'' during the May 13, 2022, broadcast.

Track listing

* CD single / digital download / streaming (Japanese version)
# "Fearless" (Japanese version) – 2:48
# "Blue Flame" (Japanese version) – 3:21
# "Choices" – 3:21
* DVD (Japanese version – limited B)
# "Fearless" (Japanese version) (music video) – 2:54
# "Fearless" (Japanese version) (MV & jacket shoot sketch)

Charts

Weekly charts

Monthly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

See also

* List of ''Music Bank'' Chart winners (2022)
* List of ''Show Champion'' Chart winners (2022)
* List of ''The Show'' Chart winners (2022)

References

{{Le Sserafim

2022 songs
2022 debut singles
Le Sserafim songs
Songs in Korean
Hybe Corporation singles
Billboard Japan Hot 100 number-one singles
Oricon Weekly number-one singles
Songs written by Bang Si-hyuk
Alternative pop songs
South Korean dance-pop songs