Japanese Media Highlights Criticism Toward Lesserafim Due to Anti-Japan Sentiment in Korea

On May 21st, JB Press, a Japanese media outlet, reported that Korean netizens were attacking LE SSERAFIM, a girl group under HYBE that includes Japanese members, due to anti-Japan sentiment.

LE SSERAFIM is made up of two Japanese members: Sakura Miyawaki, who was previously a member of AKB48, and Kazuha Nakamura.

Prior to her debut with LE SSERAFIM, Sakura Miyawaki was already an established idol, and her contributions have greatly contributed to the group’s popularity since their debut. She continues to be the most popular member of the team.

Lately, both Sakura Miyawaki and the entire group LE SSERAFIM have faced severe backlash as being labeled a “right-wing girl group”.

According to Korean netizens, the promotional videos for “Burn The Bridge” , a track from LE SSERAFIM’s debut album “Unforgiven”released in May of last year, contained right-wing content.

During that time, a number of internet users contended that the initial scene in the video, which depicted red ink spreading on a white floor, was a representation of the “Rising Sun Flag”. Additionally, they pointed out that the red sunset background symbolized the “Japanese flag”, while the scene of blue liquid being injected into a tree against the backdrop of the sunset represented the infusion of the Korean (blue) spirit into Japan.

Last year, there were allegations circulating online that were deemed to be “distorted theories with malicious intentions.”

Despite the recent emergence of anti-Japan sentiment on the Internet, these claims have once again drawn attention.

According to reports, LE SSERAFIM’s music videos on YouTube have been met with a significant amount of criticism, with comments such as “Traitor idols”, “The use of the Japanese flag is no laughing matter”, and “Is this K-pop or J-pop?”being prevalent.