 |
| F5VE Contrversial Instagram Story |
J-pop group f5ve have landed themselves in hot water this week after posting a highly controversial and insensitive image on their official Instagram Story.
The group, known for their cheeky humour and loud online presence, shared an edited photo of the late K-pop star Goo Hara, with a coffin superimposed next to her.
Fans and netizens alike were left shocked and outraged, calling out the post as disrespectful and completely out of line.
For those unfamiliar, Goo Hara, a member of the beloved K-pop group KARA, tragically passed away in 2019.
To use her image in such a flippant way was seen by many as crossing a serious line.
 |
Once the backlash kicked off, f5ve quickly deleted the story and posted another one — this time, offering an apology. It was short, but it acknowledged the hurt caused and expressed regret.
“We apologise for the recent post. It was thoughtless and hurtful. We deeply regret our actions,” the story read.
The incident has sparked a bigger discussion online about the responsibility of public figures when it comes to humour and social media.
Many fans feel disappointed, especially since f5ve had built a reputation around positivity and female empowerment.
Full Statement:
"Thank you to those of you who have informed our team about the distasteful meme reshared yesterday on £5ve Instagram story.
We often feature memes we find using £5ve sounds and were not familiar with Goo Hara or the context around the image (which will not be shared here out of respect).
We are deeply sorry and appreciate those who reached out to educate on this matter, this is not something we take lightly."
 |
f5ve (read as fi.vee), previously known as SG5 (short for Sailor Guardians 5), debuted back in March 2023 with their single “Firetruck”.
Their original concept revolved around characters from the anime Sailor Moon, blending pop, fantasy and hero vibes.
In April 2024, they rebranded to f5ve, calling themselves “inter-dimensional dream agents” on a mission to fight off self-doubt and negativity using tools like confidence, optimism and intelligence.
The group includes members Sayaka, Kaede, Ruri, Miyuu, and Rui — and they’re co-managed by WME, FAKE STAR USA, Three Six Zero and LDH Japan.
But this latest move has left many wondering if the group really understands the weight of their words and the image they’re putting out.
While some fans have accepted the apology, others are calling for a more personal response — or at least some form of reflection beyond an Instagram slide.
Right now, f5ve have gone quiet again online. Whether that’s to reflect, regroup or wait for the storm to blow over remains unclear. But one thing’s for sure: when it comes to handling sensitive topics, humour really isn't a one-size-fits-all.