IZ*ONE Fans Strongly Oppose Sakura And Nako’s Participation in HKT48 Concert, Agency Responds
After HKT48 announced that IZ*ONE’s Miyawaki Sakura and Yabuki Nako would be participating in HKT48’s 8th-anniversary concert, IZ*ONE’s fans showed strong opposition against the Japanese members’ participation.
On December 2, HKT48 announced on their official homepage that Sakura and Nako would be participating in the upcoming HKT48 Concert at the Tokyo Dome City Hall.
“IZ*ONE’s Miyawaki Sakura and Yabuki Nako will be participating in HKT48’s 8th-anniversary event. Miyawaki Sakura and Yabuki Nako’s appearance has urgently been confirmed. All members, including those who have begun their endeavors abroad, will be gathering at the upcoming concert. Don’t miss out on their last performance as HKT48.”
ㅡ HKT48
Since the news broke out, IZ*ONE’s fans have been actively opposing the two members’ participation in the concert, claiming that it goes against their promise not to have overlapping promotions. When Sakura, Nako and IZ*ONE’s other Japanese member, Honda Hitomi, were selected as members of the idol group, they had promised to focus on IZ*ONE’s promotions only.
“The new members will halt promotions with the AKB48 group until April 2012 (2 years, 6 months) and focus on IZ*ONE’s promotions.”
In response to the controversy the news had sparked, IZ*ONE’s agency released an official statement to clarify the situation.
“The concert is a celebratory event for HKT48’s 8th anniversary. Miyawaki Sakura and Yabuki Nako, who have become members of IZ*ONE, will be participating in the event to celebrate as members of IZ*ONE.”
ㅡ Off The Record Entertainment
According to the agency, the two members will be participating in some of the performances of the concert to celebrate the Japanese group’s anniversary and this did not indicate that they were participating in HKT48 promotions.
“This does not indicate that they are participating in HKT48 promotions. Because it is an event for celebrating the 8th anniversary of HKT48, the members will be participating in some of the performances. As mentioned before, Miyawaki Sakura, Yabuki Nako and Honda Hitomi will not be participating in schedules as a member of the AKB group hereafter and will contiue their promotions with IZ*ONE throughout the promotion period.”
ㅡ Off The Record
Despite the clarification from the agency, fans are not happy about the fact that the members are already going against their promise to focus only on IZ*ONE promotions.
- “A nation of betrayal and lies.”
- “Participating in the concert as a member of IZ*ONE? Are you kidding me? Is this a deception?”
- “You guys are IZ*ONE members now, not HKT48 members. If you want to celebrate the 8th anniversary, wouldn’t it be much more beautiful if you send a video message rather than going there? Already trying to two-time us.”
- “What is this? Lol. At least tell us it was planned beforehand.”
