‘SNL Korea’ Sparks Debate With LE SSERAFIM’s Coachella Incident Parody and Other K-Pop Controversies

Featuring actor Kim Sung-kyun as a guest star, the show introduced a parody boy group called “RICE,” using the sketch to poke fun at various K-pop scandals.

One of the main targets of the parody was LE SSERAFIM’s recent controversy at Coachella. The sketch, which they titled “Goa-chella,” made light of the event, even mimicking Huh Yunjin’s energetic style of hyping up the crowd during performances. The parody closely mirrored Yunjin’s actual Coachella performance, bringing attention to the girl group.

The comedy sketch also touched on another recent controversy involving ZEROBASEONE’s Kim Jiwoong. In the sketch, a “RICE” member is seen mimicking a swearing situation during a fansign video call, reminiscent of Jiwoong’s incident where he was accused of swearing off-camera. In the sketch, “RICE” member Kyun-K can be heard saying, “Sol, thank you for saying nice things to me. I’m fighting! Damn, forget about being an idol, I want to quit.”

In the real incident, Kim Jiwoong was allegedly heard saying the Korean curse “ssibal” meaning “F*uck!” when his camera was covered. His agency later denied the allegations, but the controversy left a mark on the idol’s image.

“SNL Korea” sketches have garnered millions of views on social media platforms like X, but not all viewers are happy with the show’s approach. Many have criticized the decision to parody sensitive moments that have been difficult for both idols and their fans, questioning whether such controversies should be used as comedic material.

Some comments from Internet users:

• The purpose of satire is to make fun, so let’s not argue about what is “right”. Foreigners would probably laugh until they puke if they knew how “cautious” Korea has to be when it decides to create a satirical sketch.
• Their fans are always quick to jump on other people’s scandals, but when it comes to their idol’s scandals, they start crying. Haha
• Here’s a gift of life for you… maybe don’t give people a reason to make fun of you? Or maybe be grateful that you’re famous enough that someone wants to parody you? What’s the problem? No one forced those girls to act that way at Coachella. If you don’t want to be made fun of, then do your job properly.
• Sometimes I wonder if these people, with the way they behave, are not anti-soldiers undercover.
• Since when did idols become untouchables? No one makes up lies about your favorites.
• You reap what you sow. No one is forcing fans to watch this parody, right?
• If they had played well at Coachella, they probably wouldn’t be facing this situation now.
• Do fans even know what the point of SNL is? Why is it so sensitive? I bet if SNL parodied another band, you’d slap your knees laughing.
• There is no “debate” about this scene. Except LE fans. Everyone else is laughing their asses off.
• Aww, is the little HYBE baby angry? Haha
• If it was a mockery of a tragic event, it could be criticized. But they made a mistake and now they are parodying it, so what’s the problem? Haha
• Not even the president is safe from parody. Who do these idols think they are, God?