Celebration (Le Sserafim song)

On March 5, 2026, it was reported by Daily Sports that Le Sserafim would release a new song in late April.^[2] On April 8, the group posted a teaser video to their YouTube channel titled "A congratulatory delegation emerges...", and shared an Instagram post with the hashtag "#TimeToCelebrate".^[3][4] On April 13, Source Music announced that Le Sserafim would release their second studio album, Pureflow Pt. 1, on May 22, 2026, with the lead single "Celebration" to be released on April 24.^[5] A teaser video titled "Celebration Begins" was released on April 20,^[6] and the music video teaser for "Celebration" was released on April 22.^[7] The song was released on April 24 alongside its music video.^[8] A dance performance film for "Celebration" was released on April 30.^[9] On May 7, Google unveiled a doodle campaign to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, with "Celebration" featured as the background music for the campaign's animation.^[10] A remix of "Lemonade" made in collaboration with the 2026 film Supergirl was released on May 31; the remix will be included in Asian versions of the film.^[11]

"Celebration" was written and produced by Softest Hard, Pär Almqvist, 13 (Score and Megatone), "Hitman" Bang, Alexis Duvivier, Victor Cossement, and Dannie Fite, with Supreme Boi, Aino Jawo, Caroline Hjelt, Louice Hellström, Matilda Winberg, Kim Chaewon, JBach, Huh Yunjin and Young Chance participating in the writing.^[12] It is a melodic techno and hardstyle song with an intense beat and addictive melody.^[13] Its lyrics describe the moment when one gains the strength to face their fears,^[14] celebrating that you are still here after everything you've been through.^[15] "Celebration" was composed in the key of C-sharp minor with a tempo of 150 beats per minute.^[16]

The music video for "Celebration", directed by Soonsik Yang, features the members dancing amongst a crowd of monsters who run through deserts and snowfields, and they perform headbanging choreography with sharp movements, as they sing the lyric "Time to celebrate".^[17][18] The members also have "unconventional visual transformations", including eyebrow piercings and green eye makeup.^[19] The story of the video depicts a creature who conceals its identity and is chased by the members through various locations until they reveal that they also possess features different from ordinary people.^[20] They then join hands and party together with various other creatures as a "hymn to those who are different."^[21]

Before the song's announcement, Le Sserafim encouraged fans to share everyday achievements to celebrate and posted videos celebrating various things, such as the Doosan Bears' victory, while changing their profile pictures across social media to "convey a sense of 'Congratulations'."^[22] Following the song's release, the group performed at the Inkigayo On the Go festival in Incheon.^[23]

"Celebration" became the center of a controversy regarding artist safety on May 19, 2026, when Le Sserafim's agency, Source Music, released an official statement confirming that member Kim Chaewon had sought medical treatment for neck pain. Following the medical team's advice to rest and monitor her recovery, the company decided to halt all of her schedules so she could focus on recuperation. This led to her absence from recent university festivals and music show promotions for Pureflow Pt. 1.^[24][25]

The choreography of "Celebration" drew significant backlash from the public and fans following the incident. Many Korean media outlets and fans pointed to a vigorous headbanging sequence in the song's routine as the main cause of Kim's injury. Some fans even sent "condolence wreaths" to the agency's building in protest, accusing the company of forcing dangerous movements that could harm the artists' cervical spines. They strongly demanded a permanent modification to the "Celebration" choreography to protect the safety of the remaining members.^[26]

Furthermore, the promotion of "Celebration" was marred by allegations that the agency attempted to cover up the injury. A clip was uncovered from the group's fourth-anniversary live stream on May 2, where Kim blurted out that her "neck hurts." However, fellow member Sakura immediately hushed her with a "shh" gesture, prompting Kim to retract her statement and claim she was fine. After the injury was confirmed, many fans strongly questioned Source Music for neglecting the artists' health for the sake of the new song's promotion, accusing them of ordering the members to hide their physical pain. The incident sparked widespread condemnation on social media platforms directed at the agency for mismanagement and attempting to "silence" their artists.^[27]

CD, digital download and streaming

1. "Celebration" – 2:33

Digital download and streaming – Remixes

1. "Celebration" – 2:33
2. "Celebration" (sped up version) – 1:54
3. "Celebration" (slowed + reverb version) – 3:49
4. "Celebration" (instrumental) – 2:32
5. "Celebration" (karaoke version) – 2:32

Digital download and streaming – Sara Landry remix

1. "Celebration" (Sara Landry remix) – 4:21

Digital download and streaming – Supergirl version

1. "Celebration" (Supergirl version) – 2:44
2. "Celebration" – 2:33

All credits are adapted from Pureflow Pt.1 liner notes.^[28]