Unforgiven (Le Sserafim song)
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Unforgiven
| artist = Le Sserafim featuring Nile Rodgers
| cover = Le Sserafim - Unforgiven (Japanese ver.).png
| alt =
| caption = Japanese regular cover
| album = Unforgiven
| type = single
| released = {{Start date|2023|05|01}}
| language = {{hlist|Korean|Japanese}}
| genre = Hip hop
| length = 3:02
| label =
| writer =
- Score (13)
- Megatone (13)
- Supreme Boi
- Oneye
- Josefin Glenmark
- Anders Gukko
- Anne Judith Wik
- Nermin Harambašić
- Benjmn
- Feli Ferraro
- Kris Jana
- Kyler Niko
- Young Chance
- Belle{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Su-hyeon|date=June 7, 2023|script-title=ko:키스오브라이프 벨=가수 심신 딸…메인보컬로 데뷔|trans-title=Kiss of Life Belle = Singer Shim Shin's daughter... Debut as the main vocalist.|url=https://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=15348324|website=Top Star News|language=ko|access-date=July 8, 2023}}
- Glenda Proby
- Makaila J Garcia
- Believve
| producer = 13
| chronology = Le Sserafim
| prev_title = Antifragile
| prev_year = 2022
| next_title = Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard's Wife
| next_year = 2023
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Nile Rodgers
| type = single
| prev_title = Aqua
| prev_year = 2022
| title = Unforgiven
| year = 2023
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|UBURTj20HXI|"Unforgiven"}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = Le Sserafim Japanese
| type = single
| prev_title = Fearless
| prev_version = Japanese version
| prev_year = 2023
| title = Unforgiven
| version = Japanese version
| year = 2023
| next_title = Crazy
| next_version = Japanese version
| next_year = 2024
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = Ado
| type = single
| prev_title = Himawari
| prev_year = 2023
| title = Unforgiven
| version = Japanese version
| year = 2023
| next_title = Show
| next_year = 2023
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|vMddOrUGwDw|"Unforgiven (Japanese ver.)"}}}}
}}
}}
"Unforgiven" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Le Sserafim featuring American musician Nile Rodgers. It was released as the lead single for their first studio album of the same name by Source Music on May 1, 2023. The Japanese version of the song featuring Nile Rodgers and Japanese singer Ado was released on August 23, 2023, as the group's second Japanese single by EMI Records and Universal Music Japan.
The song was commercially successful and peaked at number two on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart, as well as the top ten in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. The Japanese version additionally peaked at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart and number six on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. It has been certified platinum for physical sales and gold for streaming in Japan.
Background and release
On March 16, 2023, Source Music reported that Le Sserafim would be releasing an album in early May.{{Cite web|title=[단독]르세라핌, 5월 컴백 확정|trans-title=[Exclusive] Le Sserafim confirms comeback in May|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003136665|via=Naver|publisher=MT Star News|language=ko|last=Moon|first=Wan-suk|date=March 16, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413192225/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003136665|url-status=live}} On April 3, it was confirmed that the group's first studio album would be titled Unforgiven and released on May 1.{{Cite web|title=르세라핌, 정규 1집 'Unforgiven' 발매...5월 1일 컴백 [공식입장]|trans-title=Le Sserafim Releases 1st Full-length Album 'Unforgiven'...Come back on May 1st. [Official entrance]|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001576386|via=Naver|publisher=X-port News|language=ko|last=Yoon|first=Ji-hyun|date=April 3, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=April 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414030615/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001576386|url-status=live}} On April 18, the track listing was released with "Unforgiven" announced as the lead single.{{Cite web|title=르세라핌, 정규 1집 트랙리스트 공개..나일 로저스 피처링[공식]|trans-title=Le Sserafim, 1st studio album tracklist released..Featuring Nile Rogers [Official]|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004831923|via=Naver|publisher=Osen|language=ko|last=Seon|first=Mi-kyung|date=April 18, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507152744/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004831923|url-status=live}} On April 24, the highlight medley teaser video was released.{{Cite web|title=르세라핌, 정규 1집 하이라이트 메들리 공개 "새 시대로 기억될 언포기븐"|trans-title=Le Sserafim unveils the highlight medley of the 1st studio album "Unforgiven to be remembered as a new era"|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003722260|via=Naver|publisher=My Daily|language=ko|last=Kang|first=Da-yoon|date=April 24, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507152821/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003722260|url-status=live}} The music video teasers was released on April 28 and 30.{{Cite web|title=르세라핌, 'Unforgiven' MV 티저 공개...서부 영화 같은 영상미|trans-title=Le Sserafim, 'Unforgiven' MV teaser released...Western movie-like visual beauty|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0004000859|via=Naver|publisher=Sports Chosun|language=ko|last=Lee|first=Jeong-hyeok|date=April 28, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507152847/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0004000859|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=르세라핌, 'Unforgiven' 두 번째 MV 티저 공개|trans-title=Le Sserafim unveils second MV teaser for 'Unforgiven'|url=http://www.slist.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=446224|website=Single List|language=ko|last=Yoon|first=Seon-gyo|date=April 30, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502035141/http://www.slist.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=446224|url-status=live}} The song was released alongside the album and its music video on May 1.{{Cite web|title=르세라핌, 'Unforgiven' MV 공개...화려한 군무|trans-title=Le Sserafim, 'Unforgiven' MV released...Splendid group dance|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=410&aid=0000935402|via=Naver|publisher=MK Sports|language=ko|last=Jin|first=Joo-hee|date=May 1, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507152900/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=410&aid=0000935402|url-status=live}} The release of the Japanese version of the song was announced on June 20 as Le Sserafim's second Japanese single.{{Cite web|title=LE SSERAFIM 日本2ndシングル 'UNFORGIVEN' 予約発売開始！|trans-title=LESSERAFIM Japan's 2nd single UNFORGIVEN is now on sale!
|url=https://www.le-sserafim.jp/posts/news/qffdwp|website=Le Sserafim Official Japan Website|language=ja|date=June 20, 2023|access-date=June 26, 2023}} The song was pre-released digitally on August 8 featuring Japanese singer Ado.{{Cite web |last=Chin |first=Carmen |date=2023-08-08 |title=LE SSERAFIM join forces with Ado for Japanese version of 'Unforgiven' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/le-sserafim-ado-nile-rodgers-japanese-version-unforgiven-release-3479820 |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}
Composition
"Unforgiven" was written and produced by Score (13) and Megatone (13) alongside Supreme Boi, Oneye, Josefin Glenmark, Anders Gukko, Anne Judith Wik, Nermin Harambašić, Benjmn, Feli Ferraro, Kris Jana, Kyler Niko, Young Chance, Belle, Glenda Proby, Makaila J Garcia, and Belle.{{Cite web|title=Unforgiven (feat. Nile Rodgers)|url=https://www.melon.com/song/detail.htm?songId=36411342|via=Melon|publisher=YG Plus|agency=Source Music|language=ko|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507163813/https://www.melon.com/song/detail.htm?songId=36411342|url-status=live}} It was described as hip hop song characterized by "funk guitar rhythms" played by American musician Nile Rodgers, it samples Ennio Morricone's "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" used in the film of the same name with lyrics about "breaking away from the rules set by the world and going your own way".{{Cite web|title=르세라핌, 정규 1집 하이라이트 메들리 공개...'Unforgiven' 흥행 예열!|trans-title=Le Sserafim, 1st regular album highlight medley released...Warming up for 'Unforgiven' box office!|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003998872|via=Naver|publisher=Sports Chosun|language=ko|last=Lee|first=Jung-hyuk|date=April 24, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507152927/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003998872|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=르세라핌, 오늘(1일) 첫 정규 'Unforgiven' 컴백..'르세라핌 데이'|trans-title=Le Sserafim, the first regular 'Unforgiven' comeback today (the 1st)..'Le Sserafim Day'|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003628866|via=Naver|publisher=Herald Pop|language=ko|last=Park|first=Seo-hyun|date=May 1, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507163751/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003628866|url-status=live}} "Unforgiven" was composed in the key of E minor, with a tempo of 104 beats per minute.{{cite web|title=Key & BPM for Unforgiven by Le Sserafim|url=https://tunebat.com/Info/UNFORGIVEN-feat-Nile-Rodgers-LE-SSERAFIM-Nile-Rodgers/51vRumtqbkNW9wrKfESwfu|website=Tunebat|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230507155508/https://tunebat.com/Info/UNFORGIVEN-feat-Nile-Rodgers-LE-SSERAFIM-Nile-Rodgers/51vRumtqbkNW9wrKfESwfu|url-status=live}}
Music video
The music video directed by Yang Soon-sik was released alongside the song by Source Music on May 1.{{Cite AV media|title=Le Sserafim (르세라핌) 'Unforgiven (feat. Nile Rodgers)' Official M/V|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBURTj20HXI|via=YouTube|publisher=Hybe Labels|language=ko|date=May 1, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507100510/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBURTj20HXI|url-status=live}} The western-inspired music video filmed in Bangkok, Thailand, portrays "the members [donning] cowboy hats" with scenes that switches between "western-themed bar to a helipad" while also featuring member Kim Chae-won "riding a white horse through a devastated city jumping over wreckage".{{Cite web|title=Le Sserafim unveil debut studio album and Western-inspired 'Unforgiven' video|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/le-sserafim-debut-studio-album-unforgiven-may-release-3425005|website=NME|last=Yeo|first=Gladys|date=May 1, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424112908/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/le-sserafim-debut-studio-album-unforgiven-may-release-3425005|url-status=live}}
Promotion
Prior to the release of Unforgiven, on May 1, 2023, Le Sserafim held a live event on YouTube to introduce the album and its song, including "Unforgiven", and to communicate with their fans.{{Cite web|title="더 입체적으로"...르세라핌, 진취적인 석양의 무법자(종합)|trans-title="More three-dimensional"...Le Sserafim, the pushing sunset outlaw (Comprehensive)|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=629&aid=0000214649|via=Naver|publisher=The Fact|language=ko|last=Jung|first=Byeong-geun|date=May 1, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507152938/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=629&aid=0000214649|url-status=live}} They subsequently performed on three music programs: Mnet's M Countdown on May 4,{{cite web|title='엠카' 세븐틴, 아이브 'I Am' 제치고 1위 트로피..비투비·아이콘·르세라핌 컴백 [종합]|trans-title='M Countdown' Seventeen beat Ive's 'I Am' to win 1st place trophy..BtoB, iKon, Le Sserafim comeback [Comprehensive]|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004843774|via=Naver|publisher=Osen|last=Kim|first=Chae-yeon|date=May 4, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507163913/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004843774|url-status=live}} KBS's Music Bank on May 5,{{Cite web|title=[뮤직뱅크] 르세라핌, 함께 나아가고 싶은 소녀들 ♪Unforgiven (feat. Nile Rodgers)|trans-title=[Music Bank] Le Sserafim, girls who want to move forward together ♪ Unforgiven (feat. Nile Rodgers)|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=438&aid=0000055473|via=Naver|publisher=KBS Entertainment News|language=ko|last=Shim|first=Min-kyung|date=May 5, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507163916/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=438&aid=0000055473|url-status=live}} and SBS's Inkigayo on May 6.{{Cite web|title='인기가요' 세븐틴 1위 "캐럿 사랑해"...르세라핌·비투비 컴백|trans-title='Inkigayo' Seventeen 1st Place "I love you Carat"...Le Sserafim and BtoB comeback|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000721089|via=Naver|publisher=Newsen|language=ko|last=Ha|first=Ji-won|date=May 7, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507164242/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000721089|url-status=live}}
Reception
Grammy included "Unforgiven" in their list of the "15 K-Pop Songs That Took 2023 By Storm." The song was highlighted for its production and lyrical themes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/15-biggest-k-pop-songs-2023-fifty-fifty-cupid-jung-kook-seven|title=15 K-Pop Songs That Took 2023 By Storm: From Seventeen's "Super (손오공)" to NewJeans' "Super Shy"|last=Assis|first=Tássia|date=December 21, 2023|website=grammy.com|access-date=December 23, 2023}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Music program awards ! scope="col" | Program ! scope="col" width="110" | Date ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| scope="row" | Inkigayo
| {{Dts|May 14, 2023}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | M Countdown
| {{Dts|May 11, 2023}} |
| scope="row" | Music Bank
| {{Dts|May 12, 2023}} |
| scope="row" | Show! Music Core
| {{Dts|May 13, 2023}} |
| scope="row" | Show Champion
| {{Dts|May 10, 2023}} |
| scope="row" | The Show
| {{Dts|May 9, 2023}} | style="text-align:center" | {{cite web|author=Park Joon-hyung|date=May 9, 2023|script-title=ko:[사진]르세라핌,'더쇼 초이스 감격의 순간'|trans-title=[Photo] Le Sserafim, 'The Show Choice moment of emotion'|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004846524|work=OSEN|access-date=May 11, 2023|language=ko|via=Naver}} |
Track listing
- CD single / digital download / streaming (Japanese version)
- "Unforgiven" (featuring Nile Rodgers and Ado) (Japanese version) – 3:03
- "Antifragile" (Japanese version) – 3:04
- "Jewelry" (produced by Imase) – 2:43
- DVD (Japanese version – limited B)
- "Unforgiven" (Japanese version) (music video)
- "Unforgiven" (Japanese version) (MV & jacket shoot sketch)
Credits and personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes.{{Cite AV media notes|title=UNFORGIVEN|year=2023|publisher=Source Music|type=Booklet|id=8809929740019}}
- Le Sserafim - vocals
- Score (13) – production, keyboards, drums, digital editing, vocal arrangement
- Megatone (13) – production, bass, drums, digital editing, vocal arrangement
- Kim Jun-yeong – digital editing
- Nile Rodgers – guitar
- Hareem – harmonica, ocarina, Irish whistle, background vocals
- Anne Judith Wik – background vocals
- Josefin Glenmark – background vocals
- Kris Jana – background vocals
- Manny Marroquin – mix engineering
- Chris Galland – mix engineering
- Hwang Min-hee – engineering
- Ramiro Fernandez-Seoane – mix engineering assistance
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
Notes
- "Unforgiven" contains portions of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly", the theme to the film of the same name, written by Ennio Morricone.
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col 2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Unforgiven" (Japanese ver.) ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| Japan (Japan Hot 100){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2023&month=09&day=04|title=Billboard Japan Hot 100: 2023/08/30 公開|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|access-date=August 30, 2023}}
| 6 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Oricon|2|date=2023-09-04|rowheader=true|access-date=August 30, 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Japan Combined Singles (Oricon){{cite web |title=Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2023-09-04 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/cos/w/2023-09-04/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=September 1, 2023 |language=ja}}
| 2 |
{{col 2}}
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Monthly chart performance for "Unforgiven" ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| South Korea (Circle){{cite web |title=Digital Chart – May 2023 |url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=05&hitYear=2023&termGbn=month&yearTime=3 |access-date=June 8, 2023 |website=Circle Chart |language=ko}}
| 2 |
|---|
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2024 year-end chart performance for "Unforgiven" ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| South Korea (Circle){{cite web|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=2024&hitYear=2024&termGbn=year&yearTime=3|title=Digital Chart – 2024|website=Circle Chart|language=ko|access-date=January 11, 2025}}
| 129 |
|---|
{{col end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Unforgiven"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|artist=Le Sserafim|title=Unforgiven|award=Platinum|certyear=2023|certmonth=8|access-date=September 8, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|title=UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)|artist=LE SSERAFIM|award=Platinum|streamsonly=true|certyear=2024|certmonth=4|access-date=May 28, 2024|refname=st}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streamsonly=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release history for "Unforgiven" ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format ! scope="col" | Version ! scope="col" | Label |
| scope="row" | Various
| May 1, 2023 | {{Hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | Korean | {{Hlist|Source}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | Japan
| August 23, 2023 | Japanese | {{Hlist|EMI|Source Music|Universal Japan}} |