Sakura

**Japan:**

* A.M. Entertainment (2022–present)
* Vernalossom (2011–2021)

### Signature

**Sakura** (Korean: 사쿠라; Japanese: 咲良/サクラ) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actress, and model currently under Source Music. She is a member of the girl group LE SSERAFIM and a formerly known as a member of the project girl group IZ\*ONE and the Japanese idol groups HKT48 and AKB48.

## Career

### July 2011-April 2021: HKT48, AKB48, *Produce 48*, IZ\*ONE

In July 2011, Sakura joined HKT48 as a first-generation *kenkyuusei* (trainee). Her first official appearance as a member of the group took place on October 23 at a handshake event for the single "Flying Get".

On March 4, 2012, Sakura was promoted to HKT48's Team H. Later, she was transferred to Team KIV, where she was eventually appointed as co-captain.

On February 24, 2014, during the AKB48 Group Daisokaku Matsuri, it was announced that Sakura would become a *kennin* (a member of two different groups at the same time) and would join AKB48's Team A. She maintained her concurrent position until December 8, 2017, where it was announced at the AKB48 12th Anniversary Shuffle she would be leaving Team A.

On May 11, 2018, Sakura was announced as a contestant on the survival-reality show *Produce 48*, where she would represent HKT48's Team KIV. She placed 2nd overall in the show's finale episode, thus becoming a member of IZ\*ONE. The group officially debuted on October 29 with the mini album *Color\*IZ.*

Following the expiration of their two and a half year contract, on April 29, 2021, IZ\*ONE officially disbanded.

### June 2021-May 2022: Graduation from HKT48, debut with LE SSERAFIM

Upon returning to Japan after IZ\*ONE's disbandment, her July interview with the Japanese magazine, Vivi, was accidentally leaked, revealing that she was to graduate from HKT48. On May 15, 2021, it was announced that Sakura would be graduating from HKT48 after ten years. Her graduation concert, <Bouquet>, was held at Marine Messe Fukuoka on June 19. Her send-off party was held on June 27 at the HKT48 Theater, making it her final theater performance.

On August 19, it was reported that Sakura would be returning to Korea from Japan on August 23 to discuss a new contract with HYBE. On August 27, rumors surfaced that **Sakura** and fellow former IZ\*ONE member Chaewon were recruited by Source Music to join their new girl group. Later that day, HYBE Labels released a brief statement that neither confirmed nor denied such rumors. On September 23, it was reported that she had signed an exclusive contract with Source Music.

On March 14, 2022, it was finally confirmed that Sakura and Chaewon had officially signed to Source Music and would be debuting in their upcoming girl group. On April 4, Sakura was revealed as the first member of LE SSERAFIM. The group debuted on May 2 with their first mini album *FEARLESS*.

### November 2022: Fearless Kkura

On November 7, 2022, it was announced that Sakura would be starting her own variety show titled *Fearless Kkura*. The first episode was released on November 23, 2022.

## Personal Life

### Family

Sakura is the only child of her biological parents, of whom married very young (20 and 23 years old respectively). They divorced when Sakura was only a year old, and thus she has only ever met her father once. Her mother has since remarried, and she has a step-brother, Sotaro, who was born in 2010.

## Discography

### Japanese

#### Digital singles

* "Omoide ni Suru ni wa Mada Hayasugiru" (2021)

#### Collaborations

* "Hitsuzensei" (with AKB48; as a part of IZ4648) (2019)

## Trivia

* The symbol that represents her is the cat face emoji 🐱.
* Her designated color is a soft pastel pink.

## Filmography

### Dramas

* *Majisuka Gakuen 0: Kisarazu Rantouhen (マジすか学園0 木更津乱闘編)* (NTV, 2015)
* *Majisuka Gakuen 4 (マジすか学園 4)* (NTV, 2015)
* *Majisuka Gakuen 5* *(マジすか学園 5)* (NTV, 2015)
* *AKB Horror Night - Adrenaline no Yoru (AKBホラーナイト アドレナリンの夜)* (TV Asahi, 2015) (Ep. 5)
* *AKB Love Night - Love Factory (AKBラブナイト 恋工場)* (TV Asahi, 2016) (Ep. 29)
* *Crow's Blood* (Hulu, 2016)
* *Yuusha Yoshihiko to Michibikareshi Shichinin (勇者ヨシヒコと導かれし七人)* (TV Tokyo, 2016) (Ep. 9)
* *Cabasuka Gakuen (キャバすか学園)* (NTV, 2016)
* *Tofu Pro Wrestling (豆腐プロレス)* (TV Asahi, 2017)

### Films

* *Ano Hito Ano Hi (あの ひと の あの ひ)* (2011)
* *Himitsu (秘密)* (2013)
* *Documentary of HTK48: The Night Theatre Manager Ozaki Cried* (2016)
* *Raison D'etre: Documentary of AKB48* (2016)
* *Until I Meet September's Love*
* *Diner*
* *Eyes on Me: The Movie* (2020)

### Variety shows

* *Everyone's Kitchen* (O'live, 2018-2019)

### Web series

* *AKB48 General Elections Special: The Akiba Papers* (Amazon Prime, 2016)
* *Doctor Y - Gekai Kaji Hideki (ドクターＹ～外科医・加地秀樹～)* (TV Asahi, 2016)
* *Shanghai Love Map (恋爱地图上海篇)* (iQiyi, 2018) *-* guest

### Music video appearances

* *Produce 48* - "Nekkoya (Pick Me)" (2018)
* *Produce 48* - "Nekkoya (Pick Me)" Gym Uniform ver. (2018)

## Credits

◯ = *Participates as lyrics/composer/producer*, ✖ = *Not participated as lyrics/composer/producer*

### LE SSERAFIM Discography

 "FEARNOT (Between you, me and the lamppost)"

### IZ\*ONE Discography

 "Secret Story of the Swan (Japanese Ver.)"
 "Yummy Summer"
 "FIESTA (Japanese Ver.)"

## Concerts

### Graduation

* Miyawaki Sakura Graduation Concert ～Bouquet～

## Endorsements

* MOLAK Contacs (2020)
* Pepsi (2021)
* Kérastase (2021)
* Flower Knows (2021)
* CRAN by MOLAK (2021)
* LILY BROWN (2022)
* Louis Vuitton (2022)
* Primera (2023)

## Photobooks

* *Sakura (宮脇咲良ファースト写真集「さくら」)* (2015)
* *Sakura Miyawaki Graduation Visual Booklet (宮脇咲良 卒業ビジュアルブックレット)* (2021)

## References

1. ↑ *Produce 48*: Episode 1-12
2. ↑ Soompi: IZ\*ONE’s Miyawaki Sakura To Graduate From HKT48
3. ↑ Allkpop: HYBE responds to rumors of contract with former IZ\*ONE member Miyawaki Sakura
4. ↑ Soompi: Miyawaki Sakura Reportedly Returning To Korea To Discuss Contract With HYBE Labels + HYBE Responds
5. ↑ NME: HYBE reportedly to recruit IZ\*ONE’s Kim Chae-won and Miyawaki Sakura for new girl group
6. ↑ (KR) StarNews: [단독]사쿠라, 하이브와 계약 완료..김민주는 '안갯속'
7. ↑ Soompi: Former IZ\*ONE Members Miyawaki Sakura And Kim Chae Won Confirmed To Join Source Music’s New Girl Group
8. ↑ LE SSERAFIM "SAKURA"
9. ↑ Allkpop: LE SSERAFIM's Sakura to launch a new web variety show and her first guest is GOT7's BamBam
10. ↑ *Knowing Brothers* Episode 332: Kim Shinyoung, Miyawaki Sakura, Kim Chaewon, Moon Sua, and Tsuki (May 14, 2022)
11. ↑ https://kpopsingers.com/sakura-le-sserafim-profile-bio-facts/
12. ↑ HKT48 (JP): 宮脇咲良ファースト写真集　さくら
13. ↑ (JP) HKT48 Official Store: 【予約商品】宮脇咲良 卒業ビジュアルブックレット SAKURA MIYAWAKI Graduation Visual Booklet