About ChaeKura
ChaeKura (also called Hotaru by many fan communities) is the fan-shipped friendship pairing between Lee Chaeyeon and Miyawaki Sakura from their shared time in IZ*ONE, the cross-country K-pop group formed through the 2018 survival show Produce 48. Their alternate pairing name Hotaru came from a whisper game during Produce 48 — Sakura said the word 'hotaru' and Chaeyeon, wearing headphones, had to lip-read it — and the moment became an inside joke that stuck with fans. Chaeyeon and Sakura developed one of IZ*ONE's most noted inter-member bonds during their time on the show and in the group. Chaeyeon, already established as a dancer trainee from WM Entertainment, took on an older-sister role for Sakura — helping her and other Japanese members adapt to Korean life and learn conversational Korean. Sakura, who had established herself as a member of HKT48 and AKB48, looked to Chaeyeon for dance guidance. An early fan-beloved detail from Produce 48 filming was the pair drawing couple rings on each other's ring fingers. IZ*ONE officially debuted on October 29, 2018 and disbanded on April 29, 2021, with members returning to their respective companies. Both have continued active careers: Sakura joined HYBE's LE SSERAFIM, while Chaeyeon has continued as a solo artist.
ChaeKura / Hotaru is one of IZ*ONE's most celebrated intra-group friendship ships, sustained by the emotional arc of Produce 48 through IZ*ONE's full run and disbandment. WIZ*ONE (IZ*ONE fans) continue to create content celebrating their connection even years after the group ended. The ship carries nostalgia as well as active interest given both members' ongoing careers.
Fun facts
- ✦ Their ship name 'Hotaru' originated from a whisper game during Produce 48 that became an inside joke in the fan community.
- ✦ Chaeyeon and Sakura drew 'couple rings' on each other's hands during Produce 48, an early fan-beloved moment.
- ✦ Chaeyeon helped Sakura and other Japanese members adapt to Korean life — teaching them how to use home appliances and conversational Korean.
- ✦ Sakura visibly teared up during the Produce 48 final announcement when Chaeyeon's name was called, a moment widely shared among fans.
- ✦ After IZ*ONE disbanded in 2021, Sakura joined HYBE's LE SSERAFIM while Chaeyeon continued as a solo artist, putting them in different company ecosystems.
Moments
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2021-04
IZ*ONE Disbandment
IZ*ONE disbanded after completing their contractual period. Their friendship across the group's end and into separate post-IZ*ONE careers has remained a point of fan interest.
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2018-10
IZ*ONE Debut
Chaeyeon and Sakura debuted together as part of IZ*ONE under Off the Record Entertainment, beginning their official group chapter and the bulk of documented ChaeKura content.
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2018-08
Produce 48 — Couple Rings
During filming for Produce 48, Chaeyeon and Sakura drew couple rings on each other's hands — an early bonding moment that became one of the first widely shared ChaeKura fan references.
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2018-08
Produce 48 Final Announcement
When Chaeyeon was announced as the 12th and final member of IZ*ONE on August 31, 2018, Sakura's emotional reaction — visibly overcome with relief and happiness for her — became one of the show's most-shared moments and an early touchstone for the ChaeKura fandom.
Ship Couples ranking by year
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2021
#99
64 votes
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2022
#94
31 votes
Best finish: #94
The pairing
Fan gallery
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