On April 27, 2024 (KST), it was announced via LE SSERAFIM‘s Japanese website that member Sakura would not be attending the “3rd Mini Album ‘EASY’ Serial Number Online Event” due to “poor (health) condition.”
LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura | @39saku_chan/Instagram
The event, scheduled for April 27 as well, was then held as a four-member event amid the event organizer apologizing for the absence and inconvenience.
A screenshot of the announcement translated into Korean | le-sserafim.jp
[Notice] Sakura’s Absence From LE SSERAFIM 3rd Mini Album ‘EASY’ Serial Number Special ‘Online Event’
Thank you for your wholehearted support for LE SSERAFIM. Unfortunately, Sakura will not be attending the LE SSERAFIM 3rd Mini Album ‘EASY’ Serial Number Special ‘Online Event’ to be held on April 27 (Saturday).
— LE SSERAFIM’s Japanese Website
Sakura skipping the event was met with mixed reactions, with some Korean news outlets spinning the absence as a “lack of professionalism.”
A Korean headline about Sakura’s absence. | Newscribe
“Only Works When She Feels Like It?” LE SSERAFIM’s Heartbroken Sakura Announces Absence From Schedule
— Newscribe
Korean netizens also flooded online communities with toxic comments about the unrelated issues like 2024 Coachella, HYBE vs. Min Hee Jin, and even her background as a Japanese person.
| theqoo “She should use this time as a chance to consider a career switch. She’s not cut out to be an idol.” “Sigh… You people are really going to criticize someone who decided to take a break because they feel unwell. I hope Sakura gets the rest she needs and… hwaiting LE SSERAFIM.” “Haha… All I can say is, some of you are total weebs who’d die for Japan. And as for her, I hope she takes this time to catch up on the Korea-Japan history.” “Get well soon! I hope the other members are also doing OK.” “Yeah… Like, sucks that she’s not feeling well. But no amount of practice is going to make her better. She should think hard about her future.” “LMAO.” “But she’s an uyoku, haha.” “Take this chance to quit and become a TV personality instead. I don’t think she’s going to make it as a singer.”
Meanwhile, on April 28, 2024 (KST), Sakura and her fellow LE SSERAFIM members were spotted at the Incheon International Airport heading to China for scheduled events in Qingdao.
Picking up on the rather solemn vibe of the interaction with the press and crowd who showed up for the departure, LE SSERAFIM fans are now demanding better treatment of the idols…
…while wishing for Sakura’s well-being.
몸은 괜찮은거겟지?
가서 팬들에게 많은 응원 듣고 꾸라가 팬들에게 어떤 존재인지 다시 한번 생각할 수 있는 시간 이었으면 해..
현지 팬분들 꾸라에게 좋은 말 많이 부탁드립니다.~~
#LE_SSERAFIM #르세라핌 #宮脇咲良 #사쿠라 #SAKURA #ックラ #sakumail @le_sserafim pic.twitter.com/swonEysy7F
— Cooleye (@Cooleye18) April 27, 2024
I hope she’s feeling better. I also hope she receives a lot of love and support from her fans there once she arrives. I hope she can think about what she means to the fans. Dear Sakura fans in China, please tell her a lot of good things!
— @Cooleye18/X
