Fact Check: Did LE SSERAFIM Receive A Black Ocean During Their Gayo Performance

Lightsticks are a massive part of the fan experience, and their usage at shows is also special for the artists.  When K-Pop idols perform, they can expect to see an “ocean” of light from the lightsticks that fans hold, showing them support.

pink ocean with 70K blinks, this is so beautiful! 🤯pic.twitter.com/uBGHhgslSP

— pinksviral 🪐 (@pinksviral) March 4, 2023

blue ocean in sk, thailand and manila, IT'S SO DAMN PRETTY pic.twitter.com/hfo2ywxq24

— luigi (closed) (@acewtnb) July 31, 2022

This is the most full green ocean even on the standing section pic.twitter.com/ua05rArdeC

— smoke 🥃 (@shyboyjae) December 3, 2022

The same is true for large multi-group events like music festivals that have multiple fandoms in attendance: more often than not, out of politeness, fans of other groups will leave their lightsticks on when someone else is on stage.

However, in the past, there have been times audiences created a “black ocean” by turning their lightsticks off, leaving the group performing in an almost entirely dark venue. One of the most infamous instances of this happening involved Girls’ Generation receiving a black ocean.

Remembering The Girls’ Generation Incident That Shook The K-Pop World

Recently, it was alleged that a LE SSERAFIM were the recipient of a black ocean, but is this true?

LE SSERAFIM | Source Music

On Christmas Day, the 2024 Gayo Daejeon took place, boasting a line-up that was perceived by many as the best of the end of year festivals.

| SBS

During the show, LE SSERAFIM took the stage, performing a program titled “Category is LE SSERAFIM.” Their performance included a special dance break and one of the remixes of “Crazy.”

While the group put on an amazing performance, some online questioned the crowds reactions, with some wondering if the group received a black ocean. In the last year, LE SSERAFIM were at the center of criticism over their live vocals, which unfortunately included hate directed at the members.

When looking at the clips, the audience does appear unlit, the technical definition of a black ocean.

genuine question, is that a black ocean? https://t.co/SrLFILyJ15

— cata (@xenogsl) December 25, 2024

a black ocean in the big 2024…. this cannot be real https://t.co/QCIe9nKbNu

— chuu my bawls (@bisgouit) December 25, 2024

apparently these freaks gave le sserafim a black ocean girl bye like that erases the fact that they tore up that stage 😭 jobless behavior, napaka-acm https://t.co/lCmF0D5jEL

— miggy🪽 (@say_chaeese) December 25, 2024

However, this was not the case in this circumstance.

While there were not many lights during LE SSERAFIM’s performance, the same could be said for other groups, including aespa and ILLIT.

aespa

ILLIT

Many shared this, saying that rather that LE SSERAFIM being singled out for a black ocean, lightsticks were not lit during many performances and audiences did react to the groups.

cmiiw but i don't think there was any black ocean.. i tried watching other groups' performances to compare and the audience area looked the same pic.twitter.com/S0Bn8y8Mve

— 지오 (@agicheetah) December 25, 2024

I’m not sure if the “black ocean” thing is true… in the clearer videos, almost everyone in the audience is seen filming 😂 🤷🏻‍♀️ Regardless, Fimmies did well! pic.twitter.com/wp8s2cXTgm

— リズ³⁹ (@39liz) December 25, 2024

There was no black ocean I watch from Izna performance to le sserafim and I didn’t saw any difference in the crowd https://t.co/uwyNNY6lI5

— MICHIN (positive) ⚡️ (@roseisa9) December 25, 2024

Thankfully, it seems like LE SSERAFIM were not singled out with hateful intentions!