Sakura

Who Is Sakura of LE SSERAFIM?

Sakura, born Miyawaki Sakura on March 19, 1998, in Kagoshima City, Japan, is a Japanese singer, dancer, and idol who currently promotes as a vocalist, rapper, and visual of the HYBE girl group LE SSERAFIM. Few idols in the industry can claim the kind of resume Sakura has built. She’s one of a small handful of performers to debut in three separate major idol groups, and that road runs straight from Japan’s biggest idol franchises to the top of the K-pop charts.

Idol Career Before LE SSERAFIM

Sakura’s idol journey began early. She joined HKT48 in 2011 as a first-generation trainee and quickly rose through the ranks of the AKB48 Group, eventually becoming a concurrent member of AKB48‘s Team A. Fans of Japanese idol culture watched her grow up on stage, center singles like “Kimi wa Melody” and building a loyal following years before she ever set foot in a Korean studio.

Everything changed in 2018 when Sakura competed on Mnet’s survival show Produce 48. She placed an impressive 2nd overall, earning her spot in the Korean-Japanese project group IZ*ONE. For two and a half years, she balanced her HKT48 and AKB48 commitments in Japan with promotions in Korea, becoming one of the busiest idols of her generation. When IZ*ONE disbanded in April 2021, Sakura graduated from HKT48 soon after, closing one chapter of her career to open another.

Debuting With LE SSERAFIM

On March 14, 2022, it was confirmed that Sakura had signed with Source Music, a HYBE label, alongside former IZ*ONE groupmate Kim Chaewon. She was revealed as LE SSERAFIM’s first member on April 4, 2022, and the group made its official debut on May 2, 2022, with the mini album FEARLESS. As the group’s most experienced performer, Sakura brought a seasoned stage presence and international name recognition that helped LE SSERAFIM make an immediate splash both in South Korea and in Japan.

Growth With LE SSERAFIM

Since debut, Sakura has promoted through every era of LE SSERAFIM’s catalog, from ANTIFRAGILE and the group’s first full album UNFORGIVEN, to the EASY-CRAZY-HOT trilogy and their 2026 sophomore album PUREFLOW, Pt. 1. Beyond music, she’s built out a career in fashion and beauty, launching her own cosmetic line CRAN BY MOLAK and serving as a brand ambassador for several Japanese and Korean labels. Known among fans for her love of gaming, film photography, and manga, Sakura continues to be one of the most recognizable faces bridging the J-pop and K-pop worlds today.