LE SSERAFIM, once celebrated as one of the “Five Princesses” of the fourth generation of K-pop alongside NewJeans, IVE, aespa and (G)I-DLE, has recently faced mixed fortunes in domestic and international markets.
The group made a highly anticipated return on October 24, 2025, with their single album Spaghetti, featuring a music video for the title track and a first-time collaboration with BTS’s j-hope. Fans around the world, especially BTS’ ARMYs, had high expectations seven months after their last comeback, HOT.
However, in South Korea, the response has been disappointing. Spaghetti sold just 92,000 copies on its first day, a staggering 110% drop from their 2023 release UNFORGIVEN, which sold over 1 million copies on its first day. Second and third day sales fell further, reaching only 6,832 and 4,752 copies, highlighting an internal collapse for girl group HYBE.
Analysts trace the decline to their Coachella 2024 performance, where the live vocals drew criticism, causing public interest in the group to wane. Subsequent comebacks struggled to regain the South Korean fan base, leaving SSERAFIM behind other Gen 4 groups in domestic sales.
Despite national setbacks, LE SSERAFIM’s international appeal remains strong. In the United States, Spaghetti reached number two on iTunes, the highest-charting K-pop song on the platform to date. In Japan, they became the third Korean girl group and the first Gen 4 group to top the Japanese iTunes Top Songs chart. Globally, Spaghetti debuted at number one on the iTunes Worldwide Songs chart and the European iTunes Songs chart, while the song’s catchy funk-pop style, combined with j-hope’s playful rap segment, garnered over 20 million views in just two days.
Adding to the group’s mixed fortunes, LE SSERAFIM will hold the Easy Crazy Hot Encore concert at Tokyo Dome, Japan on November 18th and 19th. With a capacity of around 40,000 people and Japanese members Sakura and Kazuha, the concert represents a strategic opportunity to consolidate its fan base abroad.
Rumors of “unsold tickets” circulated online after free tickets were offered through MelOn, sparking debate over the group’s current popularity. Fans claim that the giveaway is part of promotional efforts for the new comeback and does not reflect actual demand. The concert will serve as a critical measure of the group’s performance capabilities and enduring fan support.
Since debut, LE SSERAFIM has been known for strong performance capabilities, bold concepts and viral potential, producing hits such as Fearless, Antifragile and Perfect Night. Although public criticism of their live vocals initially damaged their national image, recent returns, including Spaghetti, show that the group is working to regain attention both at home and abroad.
In summary, while LE SSERAFIM faces domestic sales challenges and lingering scrutiny from Coachella 2024, their global popularity, creative concepts and upcoming concert at the Tokyo Dome indicate that the group still has the potential to rebound. Their ability to balance international success with national appeal will likely define the next chapter in their careers.
Sources: kenh14
