Japanese girl group f5ve has sparked controversy after it was revealed they allegedly used a photo of the late Hara for marketing purposes.

f5ve is a five-member Japanese project girl group and officially debuted on March 1, 2023. At the time of their debut, they were known as SG5, a group inspired by the popular anime 'Sailor Moon', which gained attention for its unique concept.

Recently, claims surfaced online that f5ve used a photo of the late Hara in promotional material. The image in question reportedly includes a picture of Hara alongside the phrase “IDGAF (I don’t give a f—)”. This has led to widespread criticism from fans and netizens alike. As of now, the group’s agency has not released an official statement addressing the controversy.

On April 27, 2024, SG5 officially rebranded as f5ve, launching a new concept under the theme “Dream Agents from Tokyo.” Their musical direction has also noticeably shifted. While their SG5-era track 'Firetruck' emphasized a bold image, their music as f5ve has leaned more heavily into the hyperpop genre, according to industry observers.

Meanwhile, Hara tragically passed away on November 24, 2019, and was found at her home in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, at the age of 28. According to police reports, a note resembling a suicide letter was found at the scene, and no signs of foul play were detected.

Hara debuted in 2008 as a member of the K-pop group KARA, which rose to fame with numerous hit songs. She was beloved by fans in both Korea and Japan, even making history in 2013 as the first Korean female singer to perform at Tokyo Dome.