LE SSERAFIM's Sakura was featured in the latest installment of YouTube channel 'ODG's interview series, where various entertainment figures meet children and discuss their careers.
For this feature, Sakura met up separately with a Korean child, and a Japanese child living in Korea. First, Sakura attempted to talk to the Korean child in Japanese and to the Japanese child in Korean, causing cute reactions from both.
Afterward, Sakura introduced herself and described her career, going from a Japanese idol to a K-Pop idol, currently awaiting her third debut as a member of LE SSERAFIM. She then discussed the challenges she faced while overcoming the language difference after arriving in Korea, and advised both children on how to approach another person who speaks a different language.
In particular, Sakura recalled about her early days during her IZ*ONE promotions, "There were some members in my group who could speak some Japanese. So when I couldn't understand anything, they would explain things to me in Japanese. That helped me so much, and I am still so thankful that I had their help. If I didn't have friends like that who were willing to help me out, I might still be in Japan now. Even if for the person who is offering help, it is not a big deal, for the person on the receiving end, it is an unforgettable memory."
Next, when Sakura asked the Japanese girl if she wanted to make any Korean friends, the girl answered, "I do." Sakura then responded, "When you meet someone who does not speak your language, you end up seeing the person for who they are. You realize that biases or prejudices you have about Japanese people or Korean people, these things do not matter. You just try to get to know that person for who they are, and after learning that, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to live in a foreign country. I hope you can also make Korean friends."
Check out the clip for yourself, above!
"When you meet someone who does not speak your language, you end up seeing the person for who they are. You realize that biases or prejudices you have about Japanese people or Korean people, these things do not matter. You just try to get to know that person for who they are, and after learning that, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to live in a foreign country. I hope you can also make Korean friends."
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as always Sakura has such a way with words that wouldn't surprise you if she one day jumped into politics.