LE SSERAFIM Makes K-Pop History with Drag Performers in"SPAGHETTI" Music Video

South Korean girl group LE SSERAFIM has made K-pop history with the release of their first single album"SPAGHETTI" on October 24, 2025, featuring South Korean drag performers in the music video—a groundbreaking moment for LGBTQ+ visibility in the genre .

The music video showcases LE SSERAFIM preparing spaghetti for an eager crowd, interspersed with choreography featuring the members"wagging their fingers and bouncing their shoulders," while prominently featuring South Korean drag performers Nana Youngrong Kim, Kyam, and RingRing . This marks a rare and significant instance of drag representation in mainstream K-pop, an industry that has historically been cautious about LGBTQ+ visibility.

"SPAGHETTI" is an alternative pop and funk song that compares LE SSERAFIM to spaghetti stuck in your teeth, symbolizing music that cannot be removed from one's head . The single album was released by Source Music at 1 pm KST on October 24, 2025, and features BTS member J-Hope as a collaborator on the title track, alongside the B-side"Pearlies (My Oyster Is the World)" .

The collaboration with J-Hope was teased in a video titled"The Kick" released on October 20, which showed the BTS member in a"Matrix-like outfit" walking under strobe lights, ending with all performers singing"Eat it up" . J-Hope's involvement adds another layer of significance to the release, as BTS has been known for promoting messages of self-love and acceptance throughout their career.

LE SSERAFIM began teasing the release during the North American leg of their Easy Crazy Hot Tour in September 2025, when they revealed plans to release new music in October . The group employed creative marketing tactics, updating their album covers on streaming platforms with tomato sauce splatters and posting a video titled"It's a Tomato Incident" featuring members holding plates of spaghetti .

SOURCE MUSIC officially announced the single album on September 29, 2025, with pre-orders beginning on September 30 . The announcement described"SPAGHETTI" as an album showcasing"LE SSERAFIM's irresistible charms that entangle you like strands of spaghetti" .

The rollout featured an extensive series of teasers and concept photos released between October 10 and October 22. On October 10, the comeback trailer"Eat It Up!" premiered on YouTube, featuring members delivering spaghetti in dream-like spaces with colorful lighting .

Between October 13 and October 16, four distinct concept photo versions were released: Cheeky Neon Pepper (featuring members standing outside a food truck with bright neon colors), Knocking Basil (with members dressed as delivery drivers holding boxes of takeout), Weird Garlic (featuring members holding vegetables in an open-air market), and Compact Bites . Track samplers for both the title track and B-side were released on October 17, followed by the highlight medley and track listing on October 21 . The music video teaser for the title track was released on October 22 .

The inclusion of drag performers in a major K-pop release represents a notable shift in an industry that has traditionally been conservative regarding LGBTQ+ representation. While K-pop has a substantial LGBTQ+ fanbase globally, explicit queer visibility in music videos and performances has been relatively limited, making LE SSERAFIM's choice particularly significant.

The decision to feature Nana Youngrong Kim, Kyam, and RingRing—established figures in South Korea's drag performance scene—demonstrates the group's commitment to pushing boundaries and embracing diversity in their artistic expression . By giving these performers prominent placement in a music video for a major comeback, LE SSERAFIM and SOURCE MUSIC are helping to normalize drag performance and LGBTQ+ visibility within mainstream Korean entertainment.

LE SSERAFIM, whose name is an anagram of"I'm Fearless," has built their brand around themes of confidence, authenticity, and breaking conventions. The group debuted under SOURCE MUSIC, a subsidiary of HYBE Corporation, and has consistently pushed creative boundaries since their formation. Their willingness to incorporate drag performers into their visual storytelling aligns with their artistic identity and message of fearlessness.

This bold creative choice comes at a time when discussions about LGBTQ+ rights and representation continue to evolve in South Korea. While progress has been made in recent years, LGBTQ+ individuals still face significant challenges in terms of legal recognition and social acceptance. The entertainment industry's role in shaping public perception makes LE SSERAFIM's decision particularly impactful.

"SPAGHETTI" received a wide international release on October 24, 2025, distributed digitally and physically across multiple regions . The single album was released in various formats including digital download, streaming, and CD single formats in the United States through Source and Geffen Records, and in South Korea through Source and YG Plus .

The global distribution strategy reflects K-pop's increasingly international reach and LE SSERAFIM's growing popularity beyond South Korea. The group has cultivated a substantial international following, particularly in North America, as evidenced by their Easy Crazy Hot Tour that preceded this release.

The track features songwriting contributions from multiple artists, including J-Hope, Federico Vindver, Huh Yun-jin (a member of LE SSERAFIM), and Bang Si-hyuk, the founder of HYBE Corporation . This collaborative approach brings together diverse perspectives and musical influences, contributing to the song's alternative pop and funk sound that distinguishes it from typical K-pop releases.

The positive reception and successful execution of this concept could pave the way for more inclusive representation in K-pop. As one of the industry's prominent groups backed by a major label, LE SSERAFIM's choices carry weight and may influence other artists and companies to embrace greater diversity in their visual and creative content.

The timing of this release—coming just one day before the article date—positions LE SSERAFIM at the forefront of conversations about representation in K-pop. As the music video circulates and reaches wider audiences, its impact on both fans and the industry will become clearer, potentially setting new standards for inclusivity in Korean pop music.

By integrating drag performers into the narrative of preparing and serving spaghetti—a theme that runs throughout the single album's concept—LE SSERAFIM creates a visual metaphor for inclusion and celebration of diverse identities. The choice to have drag performers participate in a communal, joyful activity rather than relegating them to background or stereotypical roles demonstrates thoughtful representation that honors the artistry and humanity of these performers.

The music video's aesthetic, with its bright colors, energetic choreography, and celebratory atmosphere, reinforces messages of joy, authenticity, and fearless self-expression—values that resonate deeply with LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

As"SPAGHETTI" continues to reach audiences globally, LE SSERAFIM's decision to feature drag performers stands as a meaningful step forward for LGBTQ+ visibility in K-pop, potentially inspiring both fans and fellow artists to embrace more inclusive and diverse forms of expression in one of the world's most influential music industries.