Antifragile is the second extended play by South Korean girl group Le Sserafim, released by Source Music on October 17, 2022. It contains five tracks, including the lead single of the same name. Antifragile marks their first release as a quintet, following the departure of Kim Ga-ram in July 2022.
On September 1, it was revealed that Le Sserafim would be making their first comeback with new music in the fall.[3] Through a short video clip published on September 19, Le Sserafim announced the title and release date of their upcoming extended play (EP).[4] Source Music then shared the EP's physical release details on social media platforms.[5] Three sets of concept photos titled "Midnight Onyx", "Iridescent Opal" and "Frozen Aquamarine" were also revealed in the weeks leading up to the release of Antifragile.[6] The track samplers and track list were released on October 3 and 4, respectively.[7][8] The music video for the lead single was released prior to the EP.
The EP contains five songs, including the lead single of the same name, "Antifragile".[8] Member Huh Yun-jin participated in the songwriting process of the third, fourth, and fifth tracks. In addition, member Sakura participated in writing and composing the fifth track.[9]
The record opens with "bass-heavy" intro, "The Hydra". The track references a "mythological creature", where each member speaks in their native language.[10] The second track, "Antifragile", is described as an "Afro-Latin style" pop song with a "heavy" Latin rhythm. The lyrics of the song convey the message that difficult times are stimulus for growth and that with this mindset, they will become stronger.[9] It is followed by "Impurities", which is described as a "sophisticated" R&B track. The fourth track, "No Celestial", is a punk-pop song, characterized with heavy guitar sound. The lyrics are "all about embracing their flaws". The closing track "Good Parts (When the Quality Is Bad but I Am)", is another R&B track, where the members sing about finding "true courage in embracing one's flaws".[10]
Following the commencement of pre-orders on September 19, the album sold more than 400,000 copies within a week.[13] As of October 6, Antifragile had sold 560,000 copies,[14] and as of October 14, it surpassed 600,000 copies.[15]
On the day Antifragile was released, Le Sserafim hosted a live showcase on Mnet to introduce the extended play and to communicate with their fans. "Antifragile", "Impurities", "No Celestial", and "Good Parts (When the Quality Is Bad but I Am)" were all performed at the showcase.[19]
^Jo, Yeon-kyung (October 2, 2022). "새로운 르세라핌 '안티프래자일' 세번째 콘셉트 '청춘 이미지'" [New Le Sserafim 'Antifragile' 3rd concept 'Youth Image'] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hong, Hye-min (October 3, 2022). ""폭풍이 두렵지 않아"...르세라핌, 베일 벗은 컴백 메시지" ["I'm not afraid of the storm"...Le Sserafim, a comeback message naked] (in Korean). Hankook Ilbo. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abSeon, Mi-kyung (October 4, 2022). "르세라핌 'ANTIFRAGILE', 트랙리스트 공개…방시혁 필두 초호화 라인업" [Le Sserafim's 'ANTIFRAGILE', track list released... Super luxurious lineup led by Bang Si-hyuk] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abJinju, Hee (October 4, 2022). "르세라핌, 'ANTIFRAGILE' 트랙리스트 전격 공개" [Le Sserafim unveils tracklist for 'ANTIFRAGILE']. MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved October 17, 2022.
^Seon, Mi-kyung (September 27, 2022). "'컴백' 르세라핌, 예약 판매 7일만 40만 장 돌파..자체 최고" ['Comeback' Le Sserafim, sold 400,000 copies in just 7 days.. its best] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^Seon, Mi-kyung (October 7, 2022). "컴백 앞둔 르세라핌, 새 음반 선주문량 56만장 돌파" ['Le Sserafim, ahead of comeback, surpasses 560,000 pre-orders for new album] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Ha-na (October 16, 2022). "르세라핌, 신보 'ANTIFRAGILE' 선주문량 60만 장 돌파‥놀라운 성장세" [Le Sserafim, new album 'ANTIFRAGILE' surpassed 600,000 pre-orders. Amazing growth]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved October 17, 2022.
^Ahn, Jin-yong (October 5, 2022). "르세라핌, 17일 새 앨범 발매 → Mnet서 컴백쇼" [Le Sserafim, new album release on the 17th → Comeback show on Mnet] (in Korean). Munhwa Ilbo. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022 – via Naver.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年11月21日~2022年11月27日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking November 21, 2022 – November 27, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. December 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年11月28日~2022年12月04日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking November 28, 2022 – December 04, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. December 7, 2022. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年12月05日~2022年12月11日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking December 05, 2022 – December 11, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. December 14, 2022. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年12月12日~2022年12月18日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking December 12, 2022 – December 18, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. December 21, 2022. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年12月26日~2023年01月01日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking December 26, 2022 – January 01, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. January 4, 2023. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2023年01月02日~2023年01月08日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking January 02, 2023 – January 08, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. January 11, 2023. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2023年01月09日~2023年01月15日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking January 09, 2023 – January 12, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. January 18, 2023. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2023年01月23日~2023年01月29日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking January 23, 2023 – January 29, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. February 1, 2023. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2023年01月30日~2023年02月05日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking January 30, 2023 – February 05, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. February 8, 2023. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2023年02月06日~2023年02月12日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking February 06, 2023 – February 12, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. February 15, 2023. Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2023年02月13日~2023年02月19日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking February 13, 2023 – February 19, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. February 22, 2023. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
Japan digital sales figures for Antifragile
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年10月17日~2022年10月23日 [Oricon Weekly Digital Album Ranking October 10, 2022 – October 17, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. May 26, 2022. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年10月24日~2022年10月30日 [Oricon Weekly Digital Album Ranking October 24, 2022 – October 30, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. November 7, 2022. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年10月31日~2022年11月06日 [Oricon Weekly Digital Album Ranking October 31, 2022 – November 06, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. November 14, 2022. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年11月07日~2022年11月13日 [Oricon Weekly Digital Album Ranking November 07, 2022 – November 13, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. November 21, 2022. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年11月14日~2022年11月20日 [Oricon Weekly Digital Album Ranking November 14, 2022 – November 20, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. November 28, 2022. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年11月14日~2022年11月20日 [Oricon Weekly Digital Album Ranking November 14, 2022 – November 20, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. November 28, 2022. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年11月28日~2022年12月04日 [Oricon Weekly Digital Album Ranking November 28, 2022 – December 4, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. December 7, 2022. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.