Get to know the queens of K-pop: Meet the nine members of TWICE

TWICE debuted in 2015 under JYP Entertainment after the members were selected through the audition-survival program SIXTEEN. The show began with the aim of forming a seven-member group, but audience votes added Tzuyu and a last-minute choice by CEO Park Jin Young brought Momo on board, resulting in the final nine. Early singles such as “Like Ooh-Ahh,” “TT,” and “Cheer Up” each crossed the 100-million-view mark on YouTube and topped Korean charts, establishing the group’s reputation for bright choreography and instantly memorable hooks. Over the decade that followed, the nine women earned the nickname “queens of K-pop” from both dedicated fans and the wider public. Their catalog now stretches across ten years of releases, stadium shows, and high-profile collaborations that continue to expand their reach.

Group Milestones and Recent Achievements

In 2025 the group marked its tenth anniversary with the studio album TEN: The Story Goes On and followed it months later with the fourth full-length record This Is For. The accompanying world tour booked more than eighty dates across Asia, North America, and Europe, posting record attendance figures in several U.S. markets. April 2025 found the members opening Coldplay’s Seoul stadium run, while later that year their contribution to the soundtrack of the animated feature K-Pop Demon Hunters introduced their sound to new listeners worldwide. Contract renewals with JYP were confirmed the same year, signaling continued stability for the full nine-member lineup.

Jihyo

Park Jihyo leads TWICE as main vocalist and has trained longer than any other member. By 2026 her time under JYP surpassed the original decade mark, yet her voice remains the anchor of the group’s layered harmonies. She released the solo EP Zone in 2023 and continues to perform the material on variety shows and award stages. In October 2025 she joined Nayeon, Momo, and Tzuyu on the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Early reports of a relationship with former Wanna One member Kang Daniel ended quietly in late 2020; Jihyo has kept subsequent personal matters private.

Nayeon

Nayeon was confirmed as a TWICE member early in the SIXTEEN broadcast and serves as lead vocalist and dancer. Before debut she appeared in music videos for San E and GOT7, and she remains close with Blackpink’s Jennie and Jisoo. In 2025 she made her acting debut in the films New Recruit: The Movie and Run to You while also headlining the Victoria’s Secret show with three of her bandmates. A 2018 TC Candler ranking placed her among the world’s most beautiful faces, an accolade now viewed as a snapshot of that moment rather than a current metric.

Jeongyeon

Jeongyeon auditioned for JYP twice before being accepted and now shares lead vocal duties. She finished second in the internal vote for leader. After stepping back from Eyes Wide Open promotions in 2020 due to anxiety, she took an additional break from August to November 2021 for the same reason. Fans welcomed her return to full schedules, and she has remained active through the 2025-2026 tour cycle.

Momo

Momo, one of three Japanese members, earned her spot when CEO Park Jin Young singled out her dance ability during SIXTEEN. She is credited with sharpening the group’s performance precision. A 2020 report linked her to Super Junior’s Heechul; current coverage centers on her work rather than personal life. In October 2025 she walked the Victoria’s Secret runway alongside Jihyo, Nayeon, and Tzuyu.

Sana

Sana grew up in Osaka and passed JYP’s 2012 global audition before moving to Korea as a trainee. As sub-vocalist she often delivers the bright ad-libs that define TWICE choruses. Fans first noticed her calligraphy through album thank-you notes, and her clean penmanship has since become a running joke on fan accounts. She has appeared on the TC Candler list multiple years, with the 2017 entry marking her highest placement at twenty-first.

Mina

Mina, born in Texas to Japanese parents, moved to Japan as a toddler and joined JYP in 2014. Her ballet background shortened her training period, and she quickly became one of the group’s most elegant dancers. During the 2019 world tour she experienced a severe anxiety episode onstage and paused activities for several months. She has since returned to full participation and continues to perform without further extended breaks.

Dahyun

Dahyun serves as lead rapper and was scouted by all three major Korean agencies before choosing JYP. A pre-debut video of her “Eagle dance” turned her into a minor internet sensation in Korea. She also appeared in GOT7’s “Stop Stop It” and Wooyoung’s Japanese single “Rose.” In early 2026 she paused activities from February through April after an ankle stress fracture; she rejoined the This Is For tour dates once cleared by medical staff.

Chaeyoung

Chaeyoung began modeling for children’s magazines before joining TWICE and now contributes rap verses as well as choreography. She became the first member to receive songwriting credits and maintains a balanced diet despite being part of the younger line. In September 2025 she released the solo album Lil Fantasy Vol.1. Health concerns led to a temporary suspension from October to December 2025 after a vasovagal syncope diagnosis; she resumed schedules the following year.

Tzuyu

Tzuyu, the Taiwanese maknae, holds the lead-dancer position and is known for her striking stage presence. She ranked first on the 2019 TC Candler list, a record at the time. In September 2025 she issued her debut solo mini-album AbouTZU and joined three bandmates on the Victoria’s Secret catwalk later that month. She maintains close friendships with Blackpink’s Rosé and former CLC member Elkie.

Solo and Sub-Unit Activities

While the full group remains the priority, individual projects have multiplied. Jihyo’s Zone EP arrived in 2023, followed by Chaeyoung’s Lil Fantasy Vol.1 and Tzuyu’s AbouTZU in 2025. Nayeon stepped into acting with two film roles the same year. On the fashion front, Nayeon, Momo, Jihyo, and Tzuyu represented the group at the Victoria’s Secret show, giving fans a rare coordinated appearance outside standard music programming.

Health and Hiatus Updates

Earlier anxiety-related pauses for Jeongyeon and Mina are now part of a longer timeline that includes more recent member-specific leaves. Chaeyoung’s October-December 2025 suspension addressed vasovagal syncope, while Dahyun’s February-April 2026 break stemmed from an ankle stress fracture. Both members returned to the This Is For tour once cleared, underscoring the group’s approach of prioritizing recovery alongside packed calendars.

International Recognition and Brand Partnerships

TWICE’s global profile expanded further in 2025 with a Lollapalooza headline slot and the Victoria’s Secret appearance. The This Is For tour marked the first time a K-pop girl group headlined certain North American stadiums, a milestone noted by local promoters. Brand tie-ins have grown in tandem, yet the members continue to balance commercial work with the core output of albums and live shows that first built their audience.

The nine women who began as trainees on SIXTEEN have now logged a decade of releases, runway turns, solo ventures, and health recoveries while keeping the original lineup intact. Their story continues to unfold through new music, larger stages, and the steady support of fans who have watched each chapter.