LE SSERAFIM introduces KNOCKING BASIL as the emotional centerpiece of their SPAGHETTI single. The concept captures youth, nostalgia, and cinematic warmth through film-like visuals and storytelling. Amid fan excitement, online debates reveal how pop imagery can spark cultural misunderstandings and passionate defense alike.
LE SSERAFIM Frames KNOCKING BASIL as a Coming-of-Age Tale
LE SSERAFIM unveiled the KNOCKING BASIL concept for their single SPAGHETTI. They published photos and a short video on the team’s official social accounts at midnight. The new visuals shift away from the debut’s sharp, spicy tone and embrace a gentler, cinematic mood. Fans described the content as evocative of a short coming-of-age film. The group pairs intimate moments with cityscapes to sell a narrative of small, meaningful encounters.
Delivery Riders and Urban Backdrops
In the video, the five members wear matching red uniforms stamped with a Spaghetti logo. They act as delivery riders, moving orders across Seoul landmarks including Dongjak Bridge. The edits alternate wide urban shots and close, human moments to keep the scene grounded. A doorbell chime near the end heightens the emotional payoff and teases the impending release.
LE SSERAFIM Casts KNOCKING BASIL in Vintage Film Tones
Photographs favor film grain, soft contrast, and washed colors to emphasize nostalgia. Chaewon rides into the wind, hair lifting as she cycles past apartment blocks. Sakura toys with a menu between boxes marked EAT IT UP, adding a playful spark. Yunjin stands at a threshold, poised as if she might knock at any moment. Kazuha’s frame reads like an outsider’s glance through a doorway. Eunchae holds a spaghetti box under a bridge, her features crisp against the muted palette.
Rolling Out SPAGHETTI: Schedule and Teasers
The group will release the single SPAGHETTI on October 24 at 1 p.m. Ahead of that date, they will roll out a steady stream of teaser content. The schedule lists WEIRD GARLIC on the 15th and COMPACT BITES on the 16th. SAMPLER PLATTER follows on the 17th, THE KICK on the 20th, and HIGHLIGHT PLATTER on the 21st. This paced approach aims to sustain momentum and deepen fan anticipation.
Online Backlash and Cultural Misreadings
Shortly after the KNOCKING BASIL posts, theqoo users argued the concept felt Japanese in tone. They pointed to a perceived likeness to actress Aoi Yuu from the film Tokyo! as supposed evidence. That view spread in threads that framed the visuals as culturally derivative without concrete proof. The discussion quickly shifted into broader questions about reading style through a national lens.
LE SSERAFIM Defends KNOCKING BASIL Amid Community Pushback
Users on MLBPARK pushed back forcefully against those claims. They argued the delivery-rider motif is a common visual trope online, not an exclusively Japanese signifier. Members also noted that Bong Joon-ho directed a segment of Tokyo!, complicating the assertion that the film solely represents Japanese aesthetics. Critics on MLBPARK criticized theqoo for aging demographics and limited new membership. They warned that closed communities can ossify opinion and block fresh context. Ultimately, the debate highlights how quickly artistic intent can be reframed in polarized forums.
LE SSERAFIM uses KNOCKING BASIL to express youth and individuality through cinematic storytelling, vintage tones, and a relatable city narrative that bridges art and pop culture.
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LE SSERAFIM is the only group that tries this many different concepts and totally nails them. Fr