LE SSERAFIM Male Trainee Allegation Fuels Backlash Over “BOOMPALA” Studio Choom Stage

LE SSERAFIM’s male trainee controversy has become the latest point of debate around the group’s “BOOMPALA” comeback promotions. The issue centers on a Studio Choom performance video in which the ending section showed backup dancers and gave a noticeable solo moment to one male dancer, prompting some fans to allege that he was a Source Music male trainee.¹

The allegation remains unconfirmed. Koreaboo reported on May 23, 2026, that the dancer’s identity had not been officially verified and that Source Music had not publicly addressed the backlash at the time of publication.¹ That distinction is central to the current LE SSERAFIM controversy: the criticism is based on fan reaction to the performance edit and an unverified claim about the dancer, not on an agency-confirmed trainee introduction.

LE SSERAFIM Male Trainee Allegation Centers On Studio Choom Ending

The performance at the center of the backlash was for “BOOMPALA,” the lead track from LE SSERAFIM’s second full album “PUREFLOW pt.1.” allkpop reported that the “BOOMPALA” music video was released as the comeback title track and described the song as a Latin house track that samples Los Del Río’s “Macarena.” The album contains 11 tracks and became available on streaming platforms worldwide.²

In the Studio Choom video, the disputed moment came near the ending, where backup dancers were visible and one male dancer received a more prominent individual moment.¹ Some fans objected to the way that segment was framed, while others alleged that the dancer was connected to Source Music as a male trainee. Koreaboo’s report did not confirm that identity, and no official statement in the provided material names the dancer or describes the appearance as a trainee showcase.¹

Because of that gap, the available facts support a narrower description: a “BOOMPALA” performance video generated backlash after fans interpreted one male dancer’s role as unusually prominent and alleged that he may be a Source Music trainee. What is not established in the source material is whether the dancer is in fact a trainee, whether the appearance was intended as promotion for him, or whether the agency planned the ending as anything beyond part of the performance staging.

“BOOMPALA” Arrived During “PUREFLOW pt.1” Promotions

The dispute unfolded during a tightly scheduled comeback period. StarNews reported that LE SSERAFIM revealed the title-track name and promotion timetable for “PUREFLOW pt.1” through official social media and Weverse on May 6, 2026. The report said “BOOMPALA” was a newly coined term for the comeback, while “PUREFLOW” is an anagram of “POWERFUL.”³

The promotional rollout included content such as “Just BOOMPALA,” “BOOMPALA Pavilion,” a highlight medley, and two music video teasers before the album release on May 22.³ Sports Kyunghyang reported that the second “BOOMPALA” music video teaser was posted on HYBE Labels’ YouTube channel and Source Music’s official social media on May 21, and that it newly revealed point choreography borrowing from “Macarena,” including crossed-arm movements.⁴

Korea JoongAng Daily described “BOOMPALA” as built around a “Macarena” rhythm and a repeated chant. The outlet also reported that “Pureflow pt. 1” marked a narrative shift for the group, moving from declaring fearlessness toward acknowledging fear and moving forward together.⁵ In a roundtable interview cited by the outlet, Huh Yun-jin said, “The biggest message of ‘Boompala’ is that, because there is nothing holding you back, there is no fear.”⁵

Those comeback details help explain why the performance video drew close attention. “BOOMPALA” was not a side release but the lead track of the group’s second full album, and its choreography had been highlighted in advance as part of the comeback’s promotional identity.²⁴ The Studio Choom performance therefore became part of a broader promotional cycle already shaped by official teasers, concept messaging, and music-show activity.

Source Music Had Not Addressed The Backlash

Source Music had not issued a public response to the specific Studio Choom backlash at the time Koreaboo published its May 23 report.¹ The agency’s silence, as reflected in the available source material, means there is no official clarification on the dancer’s identity, the intent of the ending sequence, or whether the fan allegations about a male trainee are accurate.

The comeback period was already affected by a separate official update involving member Kim Chaewon. Soompi reported on May 19 that Source Music announced Kim Chaewon would take a break from upcoming scheduled activities because of neck pain. The agency said she had received hospital treatment and would miss university festivals, Spotify “PURE FLOWERS LIVE,” and music shows.⁶ In the Weverse notice quoted by Soompi, Source Music stated, “Kim Chaewon recently received hospital treatment for neck pain and has been advised by the medical team to rest for a certain period and monitor her recovery.”⁶

That health-related notice is separate from the Studio Choom controversy, but it forms part of the same promotional timeline for “PUREFLOW pt.1.” Korea JoongAng Daily also reported that Kim Chaewon would sit out the group’s latest promotions due to neck pain.⁵ The provided source material does not connect her absence to the disputed performance-video moment.

BOOMPALA Studio Choom backlash LE SSERAFIM male trainee allegation concept

For now, the confirmed record is limited: LE SSERAFIM released “BOOMPALA” as the lead track from “PUREFLOW pt.1,” a Studio Choom performance video drew fan backlash over a male dancer’s ending moment, and some fans alleged he was a Source Music male trainee.¹² Without confirmation of the dancer’s identity or an agency response to the backlash, the controversy remains centered on fan allegations and the performance edit rather than verified trainee promotion.