Twice

Origin and Formation

Twice is a South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment through the 2015 reality survival television program Sixteen, broadcast on Mnet. Created to build a global pop act with multi-national appeal, the competition evaluated sixteen trainees on their singing, dancing, and star quality. At the conclusion of the broadcast in July 2015, nine members were selected to form the definitive lineup: Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu. The group officially made their musical debut on October 20, 2015, with the release of their extended play The Story Begins and its energetic title track Like Ooh-Ahh. The name Twice was conceived by agency founder Park Jin-young, reflecting the concept that the group would touch audiences twice—once through their ears with catchy melodies and once through their eyes with visual performances.

Member Profiles and Roles

The nine-member collective features performers from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, making them one of the most prominent multi-national acts in modern K-pop. Nayeon, the eldest member, serves as a lead vocalist and center, known for her bright tone and energetic stage presence. Jeongyeon is a lead vocalist who provides strong harmonic foundation and versatile vocal delivery. Momo, born in Japan, is the main dancer and sub-vocalist, widely recognized for her intricate choreographic execution. Sana, also from Japan, is a sub-vocalist whose charismatic delivery has contributed significantly to the group's popularity. Jihyo serves as the leader and main vocalist, bringing a powerful vocal range developed over ten years of training. Mina, the third Japanese member, is a main dancer and sub-vocalist with classical ballet training. Dahyun serves as a lead rapper and sub-vocalist, frequently highlighted for her rhythmic flow and stage presence. Chaeyoung is the main rapper and sub-vocalist, actively participating in lyricism and visual artwork. Tzuyu, the youngest member and sole Taiwanese member, is a lead dancer and sub-vocalist admired for her vocal growth and stage elegance.

Breakout Hits and Commercial Rise

Twice achieved nationwide stardom in South Korea with the release of their second extended play, Page Two, in April 2016. The lead single Cheer Up became a national sensation, topping digital charts and securing Song of the Year honors at major Korean music awards. They built upon this momentum in October 2016 with Twicecoaster: Lane 1 and its single TT, whose signature finger choreography cemented the group's status as a leading third-generation K-pop act. Subsequent releases including Knock Knock, Signal, Likey, Heart Shaker, What Is Love?, Dance The Night Away, and Fancy established an unbroken stream of commercial successes across Asia.

Japanese Discography and International Expansion

Recognizing their broad popularity across East Asia, Twice made their official Japanese debut in June 2017 with the compilation album #Twice under Warner Music Japan, earning Platinum certification. They quickly expanded into original Japanese studio releases, including BDZ in 2018, &Twice in 2019, Perfect World in 2021, Celebrate in 2022, Dive in 2024, and Enemy in 2025. Twice made historical milestones in Japan by becoming the first female K-pop group to complete a Japanese dome tour, filling venues like Tokyo Dome. Through compilation projects like #Twice5 in 2025 and the release #BEST 2015–2025 in August 2026, Twice maintained high physical sales and enduring popularity in Japan.

Maturation, Global Milestones, and Recent Projects

As their career progressed, Twice transitioned from lighthearted bubblegum pop to a mature, synth-pop, disco, and R&B-influenced sound. Releases such as Feel Special, More & More, Eyes Wide Open, Formula of Love: O+T=<3, and Between 1&2 featured increasing creative involvement from the members. Their global reach expanded after partnering with Republic Records, leading to their first English single The Feels entering the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021. In February 2024, Twice reached a milestone when their extended play With YOU-th debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The group expanded their global touring footprint with the Ready to Be World Tour from 2023 to 2024, becoming the first female K-pop act to headline major American NFL and MLB stadiums. In July 2025, Twice released their studio album THIS IS FOR, followed by the global THIS IS FOR World Tour, which ran from July 2025 to July 2026 across North America, Europe, and Asia featuring a 360-degree stage setup.

Awards, Legacy, and Cultural Impact

Twice stands among the highest-selling and most awarded female musical acts in Asian music history. Over their career, the group has accumulated numerous Grand Prizes (Daesangs) at ceremonies including the Mnet Asian Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, and Melon Music Awards. Beyond awards, Twice broke structural barriers in physical album sales, becoming one of the first South Korean girl groups to achieve multiple million-selling albums. Their distinct visual concept, synchronized routines, and accessible music helped define K-pop's global expansion. Having renewed their contracts with JYP Entertainment as a complete nine-member ensemble while exploring solo projects, Twice has established a lasting legacy in global pop culture.