"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 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. On April 3, it was confirmed that the group's first studio album would be titled Unforgiven and released on May 1. On April 18, the track listing was released with "Unforgiven" announced as the lead single. On April 24, the highlight medley teaser video was released. The music video teasers was released on April 28 and 30. The song was released alongside the album and its music video on May 1. The release of the Japanese version of the song was announced on June 20 as Le Sserafim's second Japanese single. The song was pre-released digitally on August 8 featuring Japanese singer Ado.
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. 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". "Unforgiven" was composed in the key of E minor, with a tempo of 104 beats per minute.
Music video The music video directed by Yang Soon-sik was released alongside the song by Source Music on May 1. 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".
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. They subsequently performed on three music programs: Mnet's M Countdown on May 4, KBS's Music Bank on May 5, and SBS's Inkigayo on May 6.
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.
+Award and nominations for "Unforgiven" Year Organization Award Result 2023 Asian Pop Music Awards Record of the Year (Overseas) The Fact Music Awards Best Music – Summer MAMA AwardsBest Dance Performance Female Group Song of the Year 2024 Circle Chart Music Awards Artist of the Year – Digital Artist of the Year – Streaming Unique Listeners Artist of the Year – Global Streaming Golden Disc Awards Best Digital Song (Bonsang) Song of the Year (Daesang)
+ Music program awards Program Date Inkigayo M Countdown Music Bank Show! Music Core Show Champion The Show
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.
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
Weekly charts + Chart (2023) Peakposition Hong Kong (Billboard) 11 Japan Combined Singles (Oricon) 14 Malaysia (Billboard) 11 Malaysia International (RIM) 6 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 7 Singapore (RIAS) 3 South Korea (Circle) 2 Taiwan (Billboard) 6 UK Indie Breakers (OCC) 16 US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 7 Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100) 44
+ Japanese ver. Chart (2023) Peakposition Japan (Japan Hot 100) 6 Japan Combined Singles (Oricon) 2
Monthly charts + Chart (2023) Position South Korea (Circle) 2
Year-end charts + Chart (2023) Position Global Excl. US (Billboard) 137 Japan (Japan Hot 100) 95 Japan (Oricon) 45 South Korea (Circle) 11 + Chart (2024) Position South Korea (Circle) 129
Certifications
Release history + Region Date Format Version Label Various May 1, 2023 Korean Japan August 23, 2023 CD single Japanese
References