LE SSERAFIM Sakura’s Stage Name Reportedly Changed by HYBE to Favor New Girl Group
LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura is facing backlash after HYBE quietly changed her official English stage name from “SAKURA” to “MIYAWAKI SAKURA.” Fans quickly noticed the switch and reacted strongly online.
The controversy began when HYBE debuted their new girl group SAINT SATINE, which also includes a Japanese member named Sakura. To avoid confusion between the two artists sharing the same name under one company, HYBE appears to be adding the surname to LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura’s English stage name.
It appears HYBE is in the process of changing the existing Sakura’s English stage name from SAKURA → MIYAWAKI SAKURA
— Viral post on Pann
Fans flooded social media with mixed reactions. Many expressed frustration because Sakura has built a large presence under her original stage name, with countless posts, videos, and tags using “SAKURA.” Changing her name now could make it harder to find her content and disrupt her established identity.
「Sakura Fancam」 →「Miyawaki Sakura Fancam」
— センちゃん³⁹ (@sakuchan_0812) May 23, 2026
What’s raising even more eyebrows is that the senior artist’s name is being changed instead of the newer member’s. Fans expected the rookie to adjust, but HYBE is instead altering the established star’s stage name.
Korean netizens also weighed in, showing little sympathy for Sakura’s side:
“HYBE literally ran the audition and handpicked her themselves, so of course the new girl gets the royal treatment lol”
“You were fine with HYBE taking things from other artists, but somehow thought you’d be exempt? What exactly are you so hard done by about?”
“Lol, what’s so wrong with a right-winger feeling aggrieved? Right-wingers deserve to live their lives having things taken from them and feeling bitter about it.”
“Oh… seeing it written out as the full name makes it even more obvious”
“Looks like HYBE switched out their princess. Both debuted with HYBE going all out on the hype machine lol”
The name change is stirring debate about HYBE’s handling of their artists and the impact on Sakura’s established brand. Fans continue to discuss the implications as the situation unfolds.