Miyawaki Sakura, known mononymously as Sakura, was born on March 19, 1998, in Kagoshima City, Japan. From a very young age, she showed a love for performing arts, which eventually steered her toward an idol career.
Her first big opportunity arrived when she joined HKT48, one of the sister groups of Japan’s legendary idol group AKB48. Sakura’s natural visuals, charisma, and consistent growth quickly made her a standout member, allowing her to rank highly in group elections and gain television exposure in Japan.
Her rise within HKT48 and AKB48 gave her an initial fan base across Japan and internationally. Known for her bright charm and adaptability, Sakura built a solid foundation as an entertainer.
She also explored acting opportunities, appearing in Japanese dramas and variety shows, which further expanded her presence in the entertainment industry.
In 2018, Sakura achieved worldwide recognition after competing in Produce 48, a South Korean reality show that aimed to create a multinational idol group.
Her talent and popularity carried her to the show’s finals, where she placed second overall. As a result, she debuted as a core member of IZONE*, the K-pop and J-pop hybrid group born from the program. IZ*ONE debuted in October 2018 and quickly became one of the most influential girl groups of their generation.
During her time in IZONE, Sakura flourished as a performer, standing out for her visuals, professionalism, and dedication. The group achieved record-breaking sales with tracks such as “La Vie en Rose,” “Violeta,” “Fiesta,” and “Panorama.”
After the planned disbandment of IZONE in 2021, Sakura’s future was highly anticipated by fans worldwide who had seen her dominate both the J-pop and K-pop industries.
Sakura officially re-debuted in 2022 as part of LE SSERAFIM, under Source Music and HYBE Corporation. With hits like “Fearless,” “Antifragile,” “Unforgiven,” and “Easy,” the group soared to global fame in record time.
As one of the key older members, Sakura played a vital role in shaping LE SSERAFIM’s professionalism and performance quality while connecting with fans through her rich experience.
Career Highlights and Global Recognition
Sakura’s career spans multiple generations of idol groups, making her one of the most experienced idols currently active in K-pop. With her combination of Japanese and Korean group activities, she has established herself as a versatile figure who resonates across regions.
Fans admire her journey of resilience and consistent improvement, seeing her as a representation of dedication and talent.
With LE SSERAFIM, Sakura continues to break boundaries. The group has graced music charts worldwide, won prestigious awards, and performed globally. Their dynamic concept of strength, self-confidence, and bold expression resonates heavily with global Gen-Z audiences. Sakura’s performance intensity, coupled with her charming off-stage persona, makes her a fan favorite.
Her influence stretches far beyond concerts and albums. Sakura has become a prominent figure in the fashion industry, attending luxury brand events and being featured in magazines such as Vogue Japan and Harper’s Bazaar.
She has collaborated with luxury houses like Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, and Bulgari. These fashion activities highlight her rising global status as a fashion icon.
Additionally, her years of experience in Japanese entertainment give her a unique international fanbase. Her participation in dramas, appearances on Japanese entertainment programs, and crossover projects highlight her ability to flourish as an entertainer across languages and cultures.
Sakura’s story continues to inspire millions of fans, especially considering how she started as a teenage member of HKT48 before expanding into one of Asia’s most recognized idol figures.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Sakura’s net worth is estimated to be around 6 to 8 million USD, placing her among the wealthiest fourth-generation idols, especially given her long-standing career that spans both Japan and South Korea.
Her wealth originates from three major factors: music activities, group and solo endorsements, and long-term entertainment ventures both in Korea and Japan.
A large portion of Sakura’s net worth comes from her group involvement. With HKT48 and AKB48, Sakura’s participation involved theater performances, concerts, and large-scale merchandise sales, establishing her financial base.
Her career took a more lucrative path with IZONE, a group whose extraordinary album sales and sold-out concerts generated millions in revenue. During her time with IZONE, Sakura earned considerable income from album participation, appearance fees, and international performances.
LE SSERAFIM further escalated her financial journey. HYBE’s global marketing guaranteed consistently high sales for the group, with “Antifragile” and “Unforgiven” achieving global chart presence.
Concert tours, endorsements, and promotional content added significantly to her income. Album royalties, performance fees, and merchandise sales remain core contributors to her fortune within the group.
Endorsements represent one of the most significant portions of Sakura’s net worth. As an idol with immense popularity in both Japan and Korea, she consistently secures brand deals that boost her financial profile.
Partnerships with luxury brands such as YSL Beauty, Louis Vuitton, and Bulgari point to contracts worth multiple six or seven figures. Her influence in Japan led to collaborations with Japanese cosmetic and fashion companies, diversifying her revenue streams further.
LE SSERAFIM Sakura (Credit: CNN)
Television appearances and hosting roles also add to her portfolio. Sakura has remained a frequent presence on Korean and Japanese variety shows. Her fees from these appearances, combined with magazine features, have increased her financial standing over time.
Given her bilingual abilities, she is especially marketable in multinational campaigns, which makes her highly attractive commercially.
Another key aspect of Sakura’s wealth is her longevity in the industry. Having started as a teenager, she was able to capitalize on her presence during different waves of the idol industry.
Few artists can claim to have succeeded in both J-pop and K-pop to such a recognizable extent. This longevity has enabled steady streams of revenue and financial security across multiple markets.
While less publicized, idols with Sakura’s profile often invest in real estate, personal businesses, or shareholding.
Given HYBE’s global expansion, many idols associated with its labels hold stock or receive additional earnings from the company’s profit-sharing system. This adds significant long-term value to her net worth.
Overall, Sakura’s net worth reflects her multi-industry success: from J-pop roots to becoming a central K-pop figure with global endorsements.
At her age, with nearly a decade-long career, she has created not only immediate financial stability but also positioned herself for future ventures that could multiply her fortune further.
Influence and Future Prospects
Sakura’s influence extends across music, fashion, and cultural exchange between South Korea and Japan. She is one of the few idols who successfully transitioned from J-pop to K-pop and established herself as a leading figure in both industries.
Fans often highlight her resilience and perseverance, as her career required adaptability and strength to endure transformations, debuts, and global scrutiny.
Her impact in fashion is particularly strong. Future collaborations with luxury brands are almost guaranteed, given her existing partnerships with Louis Vuitton and Bulgari.
Fashion critics describe her as a figure who merges youthful freshness with polished elegance, making her highly sought after in campaigns aimed at global audiences.
Music-wise, Sakura will continue to thrive with LE SSERAFIM’s international expansion. Global tours, award-winning albums, and festival appearances will ensure continued income growth. Additionally, there remains the possibility of her pursuing solo music or acting projects, which would diversify her career and increase her earnings.
Her popularity in Japan also suggests future entertainment collaborations, including television roles or even potential film casting. With her bilingual fluency and established fame, Sakura is uniquely positioned as a cultural bridge between Korea and Japan, appealing to wider audiences across Asia and beyond.
Looking ahead, Sakura’s financial growth trajectory is strong. Her established reputation, combined with HYBE’s powerful global machinery, positions her to rise significantly over the next five years. Both her artistic career and commercial endorsements guarantee that her net worth will continue to scale upward.
Sakura stands as a true global idol: resilient, multi-talented, and financially successful. Her ability to dominate across two massive entertainment industries ensures her influence and net worth will only grow with time.
The first film in the highly anticipated Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle trilogy, Akaza Sairai , continues to dominate the Japanese box office. In its eighth weekend, the film ranked at number one, selling 501,000 tickets and earning over 804 million yen (about US$5.45 million) from Friday to Sunday.
So far, the film has sold an impressive 22 million tickets and earned a cumulative 31.4 billion yen (about US$213 million). This achievement makes it the fastest film in Japanese history to surpass 30 billion yen, reaching the milestone in only 46 days.
Breaking Records and Surpassing Classics
The record was previously held by Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train , which achieved the milestone in 59 days. With this new feat, Infinity Castle: Akaza Sairai proves the continued strength of the Demon Slayer franchise at the global box office.
The film has already surpassed Titanic to become the third-highest-grossing film of all time in Japan. With strong weekend numbers and no signs of slowing down, industry experts predict it will surpass Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away in the coming days, cementing Demon Slayer as one of the most successful anime franchises in history.
Creative Team and Music Contributions
Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by ufotable, the film continues the studio’s tradition of high-quality animation and faithful storytelling. Ufotable is also credited with the screenplay, ensuring consistency across the trilogy.
The soundtrack features powerhouse artists Aimer and LiSA, who each deliver memorable performances. Aimer’s “Taiyō ga Noboranai Sekai” (“A World Where the Sun Never Rises”) sets a dramatic tone, while LiSA’s “Zankoku no Yoru ni Kagayake” (“Shine in the Cruel Night”) delivers an energetic and emotional punch, adding depth to the viewing experience.
Other Films Holding Strong in Japan
While Demon Slayer dominates, other films continue to perform well at the Japanese box office. The live-action adaptation of Kotake Create’s horror game The Exit 8 secured the second spot in its second weekend, with cumulative earnings exceeding 2 billion yen. The film has been screened at prestigious festivals including Cannes, Toronto, and SITGES, and is set for a North American release by NEON in 2026.
Meanwhile, Karada Sagashi: The Last Night , the sequel to the 2022 horror adaptation, opened at number four. The latest Crayon Shin-chan film, Super Magnificent! Scorching Kasukabe Dancers continues its run in the top ten, bringing fresh entertainment to fans of the long-running franchise.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle (Credits: IMAX)
Future Expectations for Demon Slayer Trilogy
The success of Infinity Castle: Akaza Sairai sets high expectations for the remaining two films in the trilogy. With fans eager to see the epic conclusion of Tanjiro’s journey against Muzan Kibutsuji, the following instalments are expected to draw even larger audiences.
Given its record-breaking pace, strong fan loyalty, and the cultural impact of Demon Slayer, the trilogy could redefine box office records for anime films worldwide. As the first instalment continues to climb the charts, all eyes are now on how far the series will go and whether it will surpass Spirited Away to claim the top spot in Japanese cinema history.
