“Just when we thought it couldn’t get worse…”
Koreaboo
11 minutes ago
LE SSERAFIM have sparked anger among netizens after the music video teaser for their upcoming release was blasted as “disrespectful.”
The members of LE SSERAFIM
LE SSERAFIM are set to release their new album PUREFLOW later in a few days.
OFFICIAL PERFORMANCE FILMhttps://t.co/VpqzBKAmpL
✰ 2nd Studio Album ‘PUREFLOW’ pt.1
2026.05.22 1PM (KST) | 12AM (ET)
💿Pre-save & Pre-orderhttps://t.co/bn5rBVVWL4#LE_SSERAFIM #르세라핌 #PUREFLOW_pt1 #CELEBRATION pic.twitter.com/n65ymNVHLh
— LE SSERAFIM (@le_sserafim) April 30, 2026
After teasing the song on social media, the group shared the teaser for the track “BOOMPALA.”
Yet, when the video was posted, it was hit by a wave of criticism, with fans believing it was disrespectful and cultural appropriation. Many thought the concept was disrespecting the Buddha, with the members seemingly being portrayed in that way, and Indian culture, including the poses, and fans shared their anger on social media.
are they mocking buddha omg https://t.co/UhOVe8Qnj1
— rae (@yezzrae) May 19, 2026
just when we thought it couldn’t get worse hearing the snippet, they mock indian culture in the music video https://t.co/02ffsHq4WB
— zayn (@wszayn) May 19, 2026
the cultural appropriation? oh le sserafim it’s time to say bye to your careers https://t.co/ospyrI9mi6
— olivia*ੈ✩‧₊˚ (@yurilmz) May 19, 2026
People are saying this is appropriating Buddha (and its true they are), but this pose predates formalised Buddhism. It’s the ardha-padmasana (half lotus pose) which comes from ancient Indian Yogic meditation traditions.
so yes, Cultural Appropriation of Indian Culture. https://t.co/LAA0WgGF0R
— arushi °❀.࿔ accepting mishri donations (@kittymerization) May 20, 2026
Using Egyptian culture for ur music video but never having a single concert in the Middle East is actually crazy https://t.co/CEcnPfs92i pic.twitter.com/zYe1bTh56B
— jia 🙁 (@kebabjiaa) May 19, 2026
first dancing in the church now mocking the Budda??? why are they so obsessed with disrespecting religions https://t.co/48GjsAdNV3
— 🌊💙 (@oceanluvers) May 19, 2026
Yet, some defended the group, saying that there are no issues or appropriation, with many beliefs of this stemming from xenophobia and stereotypes.
they’re in the quotes calling it “appropriation”, but can’t even pick one country? 😭 what’s more ironic is that Y’ALL are the ones being xenophobic by limiting all of these rich and diverse cultures to just a desert and some camels??? https://t.co/St26os81D4
— 𑣲eli (@seongzzn) May 19, 2026
why are they culturally appropriating the religion of gagianity…………. https://t.co/tYs8i6jfc4
— atopos is boompala down 🧘 (@fallingchae) May 19, 2026