Ex-IZ*ONE members Miyawaki Sakura, Kim Chaewon to reunite as members of Source Music and HYBE’s new girl group
It’s official—former IZ*ONE bandmates Miyawaki Sakura and Kim Chaewon will reunite as members of Source Music and HYBE’s new girl group.
A representative of Source Music, which is under HYBE Labels, confirmed to Korea Herald that Sakura and Chaewon will debut as members of the “first girl group” launched by both entertainment agencies.
“Miyawaki Sakura and Kim Chaewon have signed exclusive contracts with the agency on the basis of mutual trust. They will make their debut as the first girl group launched through the cooperation of HYBE and Source Music,” Source Music said, as per a translation by Soompi.
Unfortunately, additional details about the girl group and their debut date remain under wraps.
Sakura and Chaewon also confirmed the news of their upcoming debut on their respective Instagram accounts on Monday, Mar. 14.
“I moved to Source Music under HYBE. I assume everyone has been wondering why I haven’t been visibly active and posting on social media since last summer,” Sakura said.
The J-pop and K-pop idol also apologized and thanked her fans “for waiting for so long.”
“I’ve been looking at the fans’ messages who have always been sending me lots of love,” Sakura added. “I hope to see you soon and I’m working hard to show a greater performance. Please look forward and support the activities to come.”
Meanwhile, Chaewon admitted that she “wanted to say hello to the fans who have been curious for a long time.”
“From now on, I will be with Source Music under HYBE, who will help and support me in my new beginning,” Chaewon said, “I missed you so much too.”
Chaewon, who was a trainee under Woollim Entertainment, also thanked her previous agency for “taking good care of us until the very end.”
“I put a lot of effort to show you an improved image, so please look forward to it. I will show you a lot of good things in the future, so I hope that you’ll give me a lot of interest and love,” she added.
To recall, Sakura and Chaewon promoted for two years and six months as members of project girl group IZ*ONE from August 2018 to April 2021.
Prior to debuting as a K-pop idol, Sakura was a member of the J-Pop idol group HKT48 and a concurrent member of its sister group AKB48. She then debuted as the visual, sub-vocalist, and sub-rapper of IZ*ONE after winning second place at the Korean survival series Produce 48.
On the other hand, Chaewon debuted as the lead vocalist and lead dancer of IZ*ONE.
The Woollim-turned-Source Music trainee was ranked 10th out of 12 in Produce 48 prior to her debut.