HYBE’s most controversial girl group, LE SSERAFIM, is once again under scrutiny in the industry. Previously criticized for having weaker vocal members, the group’s Japanese members are now facing backlash from Japanese netizens due to rising anti-Japan sentiment, as reported by Japanese media outlet JB Press on May 21st.
LE SSERAFIM, which features Japanese members Sakura Miyawaki, formerly of AKB48, and Kazuha Nakamura, has seen its popularity soar thanks to these members. However, this latest controversy has highlighted another flaw pointed out by fans from Japan.
Sakura Miyawaki, who has a long history as an idol, remains the most popular member of LE SSERAFIM. However, despite her contributions, the group has recently been labeled a “right-wing girl group” by some Korean netizens.
The controversy centers around the promotional video for “Burn The Bridge,” a song from LE SSERAFIM’s first full album, “Unforgiven,” released in May last year. Critics pointed out that the red ink spreading on a white floor at the start of the video resembled the “Rising Sun Flag.”
Additionally, they argued that the red sunset background symbolized the Japanese flag, and the scene of injecting blue liquid into a tree against the sunset represented the Korean (blue) spirit being injected into Japan.
These claims were initially dismissed as “distorted theories with malicious intentions.” However, recent anti-Japan sentiment has brought these accusations back into the spotlight. The backlash has been particularly intense online, with many LE SSERAFIM music videos on YouTube receiving a surge of critical comments such as “Traitor idols,” “It’s not a joke that they introduced the Japan flag,” and “I wonder if this is K-pop or J-pop.”
The renewed criticism highlights the ongoing tensions between Korean and Japanese cultures, especially in the highly competitive K-pop industry. As anti-Japan sentiment continues to rise, groups like LE SSERAFIM may find themselves caught in the crossfire of broader cultural and political disputes.
