Fans Are Frustrated With HYBE And Source Music’s Treatment Of LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura
LE SSERAFIM‘s Sakura has been active in the entertainment industry for eleven years. She first made her debut in HKT48 in 2011 and achieved a successful career in Japan before she competed on Mnet‘s Produce 48 to debut in the final lineup as a member of IZ*ONE. After IZ*ONE’s disbandment, Sakura stayed in South Korea, signing with HYBE and eventually re-debuting with LE SSERAFIM under Source Music.
Between Sakura’s time in IZ*ONE and LE SSERAFIM, the popular idol also signed with the Japanese agency, A.M Entertainment, which manages her solo activities in Japan. Along with typical schedules, the versatile idol even has her own cosmetic brand, named CRAN BY MOLAK.
But recently, fans of Sakura are voicing their frustration with HYBE and Source Music for not properly supporting the idol with her solo promotions. Fans are pointing out that, unlike the other members of LE SSERAFIM, Sakura isn’t being given solo schedules in South Korea. Notably, the only solo promotions that she’s had so far all came from A.M Entertainment, not HYBE.
For people who dont know bc i see replies under this tweet that sakura has solo jobs. That solo job of harper bazaar and LV are from her Japanese Agency, AM agency and not from HYBE. Overall in korea, hybe and soumu havent done anything to promote her since fearless era. https://t.co/bwS06sRs8X
— pochi³⁹ (@Kkuramearii) September 23, 2022
mind you, sakura’s current and recent solo deals all came from JP side. non of these came from her korean agency. imagine if she didn’t sign up for a separate jp agency pic.twitter.com/vdrLvXbp1O
— mia (@3KiMKKURA) September 23, 2022
Not only does it seem unfair to fans that Sakura hasn’t been given solo work in Korea, unlike her members…
I’m kinda bitter that Sakura doesn’t have a single solo activity in Korea yet, she’s the only member who doesn’t have one iirc in Korea. Come on Soumu you have the privilege and reward of having her in the group💀
— Adar⭒ (@adarstarh) September 23, 2022
But fans believe that HYBE is making a mistake in not promoting her more, given her immense global popularity.
no cuz if you think again THEE miyawaki sakura still has zero solo jobs in korea since her debut it's very weird.. some company feel threatened by her popularity and they had to sabotage her like its insane fr😭
— ɪ ɪ : ɪ ɪ (@letsyousoro) September 23, 2022
I wonder what makes hybe/soumu so hesitate or afraid to promote or give sakura solo job in korea?! Like Sakura has established big fandom & her own popularity in korea..abt smear campaign made by certain agencies, i still don't get it why they're so envious & scared to Sakura😑
— Mila is ANTIFRAGILE💪 (@milkkura39) September 23, 2022
Fans believe this is the same mistake Off the Record made in not properly promoting Sakura during IZ*ONE.
But hybe/soumu will be the 2nd OTR if they continue to act like shit such as rn where they dont even give sakura her solo job in korea https://t.co/eBxsp9JPWg
— pochi³⁹ (@Kkuramearii) September 17, 2022
idk about y'all but sakustans complaining about sakura not having much of a solo gig is completely valid for me. otr never promoted her properly, got shoved at the back, her solo gigs being blocked. they have every right to worry 🤷♂️
— ANTIFRAGILE 10/17 in stores near u! (@ssamudone) September 23, 2022
Some fans are suggesting that, given Sakura’s immense popularity, it might make sense for HYBE and Source Music to try and give opportunities to the group as a whole.
I think one of the reason why Hybe didn't give yet solo gigs to Sakura is bcs they also want to build the popularity of the other members. Sakura is a veteran and popular idol among the members so they want them as a group to be popular. https://t.co/97JSES3aEJ
— ASTER⁷💜 (@Aster_chsk) September 24, 2022
But others believe it seems intentionally targeted as she’s the only member who doesn’t have solo promotions.
No hybe dont focus on promoting the group first. Look at the other members schedules you will see. Solo jobs/duo jobs solo/duo magazine covers. We just want equal opportunities for sakura because after all, it should only be fair that hybe give all of them jobs in korea equally. https://t.co/S9SvqKtPpG
— pochi³⁹ (@Kkuramearii) September 23, 2022
For anyone saying “soumu’s plan is promoting the group first”. Obviously it isn’t since other members getting solo or duo jobs EXCEPT sakura. All her solo jobs now are coming from her japan agency. Imagine if she didn’t sign with AM, probably jobless now as she was in iz era
— SakuOtaD | HYDDURA (@YellowD10) September 24, 2022
Hopefully, Sakura will be given solo opportunities in Korea soon since her success also benefits LE SSERAFIM.
