Japanese Girl Group Apologizes for Sharing “Distasteful” Image of Goo Hara Featuring a Coffin
Rookie Japanese girl group f5ve is under fire after sharing an Instagram Story image featuring the late KARA member Goo Hara and a coffin. On April 8, the group reposted a meme-style photo of a woman with bold text saying “IDGAF” and a coffin graphic added in the corner. The woman in the image was later identified by fans as Goo Hara, triggering immediate backlash.
Hara, a beloved member of second-generation girl group KARA, tragically passed away in 2019. Known for her role in bringing awareness to the Burning Sun scandal and for publicly fighting against digital sex crimes, Goo Hara remains a respected figure in K-pop. Fans were quick to call out the post as highly inappropriate, labeling it “distasteful” and disrespectful to her legacy.
After realizing the severity of the situation, f5ve promptly deleted the story and issued a public apology via Twitter. The group explained that they were unaware of Goo Hara’s identity or the historical context of the image at the time of reposting. They also shared an apology on Instagram, acknowledging their mistake and expressing regret.
“We do not take this incident lightly and offer our deepest apologies,” the group wrote. They also explained that while they have often shared fan-made memes in the past, this instance was a clear mistake, but the clarification has done little to curb public criticism.
Many online continue to condemn the group for their lack of sensitivity and awareness, particularly when dealing with such emotionally charged issues. Despite issuing a public apology, the backlash from fans and netizens remains fierce.
f5ve, previously known as SG5 (short for Sailor Guardians 5), includes members Sayaka, Kaede, Ruri, Miyuu, and Rui. They made their debut in 2023 with the single “Firetruck” and recently re-debuted under the name f5ve with “Lettuce.”
While the group has moved quickly to address the issue, many netizens are urging idols and their agencies to exercise greater caution and cultural sensitivity when sharing content online — especially when it involves public figures with complex histories.
