Speculation of Miyawaki Sakura’s HYBE debut arises as her contract with Japanese agency expires

On November 1, Miyawaki Sakura’s Japanese agency, Vernalossom Co. Ltd, released a statement sharing the former IZ*ONE member’s contract is set to expire. With the idol now officially parting ways with the Japanese company, netizens believe she’ll soon debut with HYBE and Source Music’s new girl group.

Reports of Miyawaki Sakura and fellow former IZ*ONE member Kim Chae Won's collaboration have been doing the rounds for quite a few months. A recent prediction report also stated that HYBE will be debuting six groups in 2022-2023 and fans are hoping one of them is the Source Music girl group rumored to include the former idols.

Miyawaki Sakura officially parts way with her long-term Japanese agency

Formerly known as AKS Co. Ld, Vernalossom Co. Ltd managed Japanese group HTK48, AKB48 and Korean-Japanese group IZ*ONE, all of which Miyawaki Sakura was a part of. The company announced her graduation as the first-generation HTK48 member in May this year. The idol held a special graduation concert on June 19, officially ending her activities with the Japanese group.

After a decade of working together, Miyawaki Sakura has parted ways with Vernalossom. The company released a contract expiration statement on its website.

In August this year, Miyawaki Sakura was spotted at the Incheon International Airport, marking her first return to South Korea after IZ*ONE’s disbandment in April 2021. She was allegedly seen with BTS’ security guards, confirming rumors that she had arrived to sign a deal with HYBE.

In September, reports revealed that Miyawaki Sakura had signed an exclusive contract with HYBE. However, the company has neither confirmed nor denied any reports, only stating that they can’t reveal anything about their artists’ contracts.

If reports are accurate, Miyawaki Sakura will join her former Korean group member Kim Chae Won in the Source Music’s new girl group. Articles about Kim Chae Won signing an exclusive deal with HYBE emerged in August too.

With multiple reports out since March and still no official confirmation from HYBE or Source Music, fans are going crazy as IZ*ONE, HKT48, and AKB48 groups have huge fanbases and are million-sellers.

The upcoming HYBE X Source Music girl group was reported to have two or three IZ*ONE members in their five-member line-up. However, industry officials recently revealed that Kim Min Ju had rejected HYBE’s persistent offers to focus on her dream of being an actress. Fans are still hoping that the new girl group will debut in 2022.

About the author

Afreen has been a K-Pop Content Specialist at Sportskeeda since 2021. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, along with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. Afreen has over 4+ years of working in various positions including being an entertainment content writer with Pinkvilla’s K-pop division Hallyutalk and CineDope, and as a copywriter at Flying Cursor.

As per Afreen, she loves her work because she gets to write about the things she is obsessed with. Her thorough research and following the two-genuine-source rule of journalism helps her produce the most accurate content, along with helping her be up-to-date with the industry.

Afreen has had the privilege to interview The Rose's frontrunner, WOOSUNG, and LIONESSES, K-pop's first openly LGBTQ+ group. She is a big fan of SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, BTS, and The Rose for their hard work, sincerity, and the comic relief their shows provide.

When she is off her shift, Afreen explores the streets of Nottingham in the UK, cooks, and listens to new music.

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