LE SSERAFIM has hit a roadblock with their upcoming 5th mini-album, HOT, scheduled for release on March 14, 2025. According to a report by IZE on March 5, the group’s new song “Ash” has been disqualified by KBS’s music deliberation board, raising eyebrows and sparking discussions among fans and industry watchers alike.
KBS Deems “Ash” Ineligible for Broadcast
The KBS music deliberation board, responsible for reviewing songs for suitability on their TV and radio programs, announced its latest results on March 5, 2025. Among the tracks flagged as ineligible was “Ash,” a song from LE SSERAFIM’s HOT mini-album. The board cited the song’s lyrics as the reason for its disqualification, pointing to content that allegedly glorifies physical and mental abuse, including self-harm, or includes disturbing and cruel themes. This ruling has cast a shadow over what was anticipated to be a highly celebrated release for the group.
“Ash” stands out not just for its controversy but also for its creative significance. It is one of three tracks co-written and composed by LE SSERAFIM’s own Huh Yunjin, alongside the album’s title track “HOT” and another song, “So Cynical (Badum).” Huh Yunjin’s heavy involvement in the album—credited on three of its five tracks—underscores her growing influence as a songwriter within the group. However, the disqualification of “Ash” now puts her work under scrutiny.
Broader Impact on HOT Mini-Album
Unfortunately, “Ash” isn’t the only track from HOT to face KBS’s strict standards. The deliberation board also ruled the album’s title track “HOT,” along with “Born Fire,” “Come Over,” and “So Cynical (Badum),” ineligible for broadcast. While specific reasons for each song’s disqualification were not detailed in the IZE report, the sweeping rejection of all five tracks suggests a significant clash between LE SSERAFIM’s artistic direction and KBS’s broadcast guidelines. This leaves the group’s upcoming comeback in a precarious position, as none of the songs from HOT are currently approved for airing on KBS platforms.
KBS Guidelines and the Path Forward
KBS’s music deliberation process is a well-known gatekeeper in the South Korean entertainment industry. Songs deemed ineligible are barred from airing on KBS TV and radio programs unless they undergo revisions. LE SSERAFIM and their agency, Source Music, now have the option to modify or remove the problematic lyrics in “Ash” and the other flagged tracks and resubmit them for review. Only after passing this second evaluation can the songs be cleared for broadcast. This process, while rigorous, is not uncommon, as artists frequently adjust their work to meet broadcast standards without compromising their artistic vision entirely.
Other Songs Caught in the Crossfire
LE SSERAFIM isn’t alone in facing KBS’s scrutiny this round. The deliberation board also disqualified A.M.F’s “Damage (English ver.)” and “Damage,” signaling a broader clampdown on content deemed inappropriate for public broadcast. While the spotlight remains on LE SSERAFIM due to their prominence and the scale of their mini-album’s rejection, these additional rulings highlight the challenges artists face in navigating South Korea’s broadcast regulations.
The disqualification of “Ash” and the entirety of HOT poses both a challenge and an opportunity for LE SSERAFIM. Fans are eager to see how the group and their creative team, including Huh Yunjin, will respond—whether by revising the songs to meet KBS’s standards or leaning into the controversy as a statement of artistic integrity.
