LE SSERAFIM's 'SPAGHETTI' Featuring BTS's j-hope: A Global Hit with Mixed Domestic Reception

LE SSERAFIM's latest single, 'SPAGHETTI', featuring BTS's j-hope, has sparked curiosity with its experimental sound. While the track is gaining traction overseas, domestic audiences have mixed feelings, with some saying, "The song is good, but it's not mainstream enough."

Released on the 24th, 'SPAGHETTI' is the title track of LE SSERAFIM's first single album. The collaboration between LE SSERAFIM, under HYBE's Source Music, and j-hope from BTS, under HYBE's BigHit Music, drew attention even before its release.

Three days post-release, as of 9 AM on the 27th, the music video on YouTube has yet to hit 20 million views. For K-pop idol tracks, a good response typically sees 10 million views in a day, making this a somewhat disappointing figure. Streaming numbers in Korea are also underwhelming, with 'SPAGHETTI' ranking 21st on Melon's main chart TOP100 as of 9 AM.

Internationally, the response is more favorable. The track topped iTunes' 'Worldwide Song Chart' and 'European Song Chart' for two consecutive days post-release. On YouTube Music, it ranked 5th on 'Korea Daily Pop Top 20', 4th on 'Japan Daily Pop Top 20', and 16th on 'US Daily Pop Top 20'. On Spotify, it entered the 'Daily Top Song Global' chart at 41st for two consecutive days.

In the pop culture scene, some suggest that despite j-hope's involvement, known for his strong fanbase ARMY, the track hasn't garnered as much mainstream attention as expected.

Comments on YouTube and online platform X (formerly Twitter) show mixed reactions. The rap, which leans more towards spoken word, and the stream-of-consciousness melody are polarizing. Among the MZ generation, opinions vary from finding it trendy to considering it complex.

Reactions include, "The song is too difficult to be a public pick," "It's too complex," and "The song is good, but not my taste," alongside praise like, "Broaden your listening globally," and "Even those who can't fully enjoy the song contribute to its completion."

Regardless of its chart performance, the music video is praised for its message of diversity. It features a wide range of ethnicities, including White, Black, Latin, and Asian individuals, as well as drag performers.

One netizen commented, "It's refreshing to see all races represented, not just White people, in an attempt to create a global vibe. The inclusion of drag aligns perfectly with the song's message: 'Does my existence make you uncomfortable? Then I'll make sure you can't ignore me.'"