Once considered one of the most famous idols to emerge from Japan’s major idol group system, Miyawaki Sakura has enjoyed a career spanning more than a decade with a massive fanbase across Asia. However, after re-debuting in South Korea, many observers have begun questioning why a star who once held such strong popularity appears to be gradually losing her prominence in the K-pop scene.
Before becoming a member of LE SSERAFIM, Sakura had already built an extremely solid fandom. She first gained attention while promoting with HKT48 and AKB48, and later rose to even greater fame in Korea through the survival program Produce 48, eventually debuting with IZ*ONE. At the time, Sakura was widely regarded as one of the members with the largest and most financially supportive fandoms, particularly in China, where fan bars frequently played a major role in album sales and large-scale support projects.
Because of this strong background, many expected Sakura to become a key figure when she re-debuted under Source Music, an agency under HYBE. However, after nearly four years of activities with the group, some fans feel that the reality has not matched those expectations.
One of the biggest controversies revolves around what fans describe as limited individual opportunities for Sakura. Despite her strong fandom and commercial appeal, several potential brand collaborations reportedly fell through. Some supporters even claim the agency often requires that invitations directed at Sakura be converted into group appearances instead, leading certain brands to withdraw their proposals.
This issue drew even more discussion because Sakura had a long-standing relationship with Louis Vuitton. Yet when the ambassador announcement was eventually made, the title was reportedly given to the entire group rather than to Sakura individually, which disappointed some fans who believed her personal opportunities were once again being shared collectively.
According to Chinese fan organization Sakurabar, multiple brands allegedly attempted to contact Source Music around September last year to discuss possible collaborations with Sakura, but many reportedly received no response for long periods.
Some companies were said to have tried reaching out through various channels, including management contacts in Japan. However, final approval still depended on the Korean agency. In rare cases where a reply was given, it reportedly consisted of a brief notice stating that the proposal was “not suitable,” without further explanation.
These circumstances have led fans to worry that Sakura’s professional reputation could be affected if such situations continue. In the entertainment industry, artists and their agencies are often seen as a single entity, meaning brands may not distinguish clearly where responsibility lies. Some supporters argue that during the four years since joining Source Music, Sakura’s individual career growth has been restricted in order to maintain balance within the group.
In addition to management concerns, Sakura has also faced repeated discussions about her performance abilities in recent years. After her third debut, her singing skills have frequently become a topic of debate online. Some critics have even compared her vocal ability to that of content creators on TikTok, claiming she has not shown significant improvement despite her long career.
Despite the criticism, Sakura continues to maintain strong appeal when it comes to visuals and stage presence. Her delicate, cherry-blossom-like beauty, combined with years of idol experience and a loyal fanbase, has helped her remain one of the most recognizable members of her group.
Sources: K14
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