LE SSERAFIM

On May 15, 2021, after returning to Japan, Sakura announced her graduation from HKT48. Her graduation concert, Bouquet, was held at Marine Messe Fukuoka on June 19. Her send-off party was held on June 27 at the HKT48 Theater, making it her final theater performance.

On August 17, 2021, rumors surfaced that Sakura and Chaewon would be recruited into Source Music's new girl group. Later HYBE released a brief statement in response to the claims that they "cannot help verify information regarding our artist contracts. We ask for your understanding.

” Later on, fans reported that Chaewon's profile was removed from Woollim Entertainment's official website and that Woollim was no longer listed as the agency she is under on her Daum and Naver profiles, leaving speculation that she had left the company and signed with HYBE. On August 19, 2021, it was reported that Sakura would return to Korea on August 23 to discuss a new contract with HYBE. On September 23, it was reported that she had signed an exclusive contract with Source Music.

In response to the report, a representative of HYBE once again issued the following statement: "We cannot confirm any details regarding an artist's exclusive contract. " On November 1, 2021, Vernalossom announced that Sakura's contract with them has ended. On August 24, 2021, it was reported that Yunjin had been transferred from Pledis Entertainment to Source Music and she would be debuting in their upcoming girl group.

On March 14, 2022, it was announced that Sakura and Chaewon had officially signed to Source Music and would be debuting in their upcoming girl group. On March 21, 2022, Source Music confirmed that their new girl group would be preparing to debut in May 2022. On March 25, Source Music started a 72-hour countdown through their official website with the page reading "IM FEARLESS" which would later revealed to be an anagram for the group's name, LE SSERAFIM.

Later that same day, it was reported that the group would have six members, including Sakura, Chaewon, Yunjin, two trainees from Source Music and a Dutch member personally recruited by the CEO of Source Music. On March 29, a project called 'The First Moment of LE SSERAFIM' was revealed through Weverse, which would start with the reveal of the group's first member, Sakura on April 4. On April 4, the project 'The First Moment of LE SSERAFIM' was started, in which voice messages, signature and exclusive photos of the members were revealed, as well as snippets of the group's debut song through their official website.

On April 12, it was reported that around 120,000 digital souvenirs were sold out during the project. On March 30, it was reported that HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk ("Hitman Bang") would be in charge of LE SSERAFIM's debut album, being credited as the 'Executive Producer'. On March 31, it was revealed that the group would be working with creative director Kim Seong-Hyun, who has previously worked with other HYBE groups such as BTS and TXT.

LE SSERAFIM at their debut showcase at Janchung Arena on May 2, 2022. On April 4, Sakura was introduced as the group's first member, followed by Kim Garam on April 5, Hong Eunchae on April 6, Kim Chaewon on April 7, Kazuha on April 8, and Huh Yunjin on April 9. On April 1...