On October 24th LE SSERAFIM officially release their single album SPAGHETTIfeaturing none other than j-hope from BTS. The collaboration marks the first time a BTS member has lent vocals to a song by a K-pop girl group — and many see it as a desperate but hopeful attempt to restore THE SERAPHINSits crumbling reputation.
The statement immediately attracted attention. Its title track, SPAGHETTIis bright and experimental, but it was the b-side “Pearlies (My Oyster Is the World),” co-written by member Huh Yunjin, that left listeners stunned.
In the song, Yunjin sings: “When my roof collapsed along with everything else, my world disappeared like a lie; tell me what’s real, what’s right. Please stop that April storm.”
The lyrics, which reference the group’s April drop at Coachella 2024, were described by fans as “a roll call from K-pop’s most hated girl group.” It’s a rare moment of self-reflection, almost an emotional apology wrapped in melody.
Before Coachella, THE SERAPHINS she was part of the fourth generation K-pop elite, often called one of the “Five Princesses” along with NewJeans, IVE, aespa and (G)I-DLE. Supported by HYBE and Source Music, the group perfectly embodies the concept of “fearless”: confident, sharp and modern. Their successes Fearless AND Antifragile have become anthems of empowerment, helping them secure strong chart performances and a dedicated global fandom.
But everything changed during Coachella 2024. Their highly publicized performance, intended to showcase their growth on an international stage, ended in disaster. Clips of their live vocals – off-key, strained and incoherent – spread quickly on social media. Viewers were shocked and Korean forums were flooded with harsh criticism.
“Korea’s embarrassment” has become a trending keyword for days.
Afterwards, the group’s reputation plummeted. Despite visible efforts to improve their performance, LE SSERAFIM were unable to escape the shadow of that night. Many accused them not of a lack of skill, but of a lack of humility. For months they have been labeled “the most hated girl group in K-pop”.
With SPAGHETTI, THE SERAPHINS seems to ask for a second chance. The presence of j-hope, one of K-pop’s most respected and positive figures, was widely seen as a strategic move by Source Music and HYBE, a way to lend credibility and warmth to the group’s comeback.
However, although the collaboration attracted considerable interest, its chart performance was disappointing. The song failed to enter major Korean streaming charts, and early album sales remained modest.
Critics described the single as “a trace of contempt for their haters that no one cared about,” suggesting that public apathy may be harder to overcome than hatred itself. Even with big budget visuals and slick production, the emotional connection seemed to be missing.
“It’s not that people hate them now; they just stopped listening.” wrote a fan on a Korean community site.
What sets Pearlies (My oyster is the world) aside, however, is his honesty. He doesn’t react; admits defeat. The lyrics echo weariness, pain and perhaps a silent understanding that fame can crumble any day. It’s a side of THE SERAPHINS audiences have rarely seen: vulnerable and introspective, rather than defiant.
“Please Stop That April Storm,” the song pleads. And with that, the group seems to acknowledge not only their fall from grace, but also their desire to grow from it.
Two years ago, THE SERAPHINS it symbolized the confident and innovative spirit of the new era of K-pop. Now, their fight to rebuild trust reflects a larger truth in the industry: Public favor is fragile, and redemption requires more than effort: It requires sincerity.
While SPAGHETTI they may not have managed to restore their glory overnight, reveals a group trying to face their past head on. Whether audiences will accept it remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: THE SERAPHINS he finally stopped running from the storm and started singing in the middle of it.
Sources: Kenh14
