TWICE (트와이스) is a South Korean girl group under JYP Entertainment. The group consists of nine members.
From order of left to right:
Tzuyu (쯔위) - Lead Dancer, Vocalist, Visual, Maknae
Jeongyeon (정연) - Lead Vocalist
Sana (사나) - Vocalist
Nayeon (나연) - Lead Vocalist, Lead Dancer, Center
Momo (모모) - Main Dancer, Vocalist, Rapper
Mina (미나) - Main Dancer, Vocalist
Jihyo (지효) - Leader, Main Vocalist
Dahyun (다현) - Lead Rapper, Vocalist
Chaeyoung (채영) - Main Rapper, Vocalist
The members of TWICE were formed through the girl-group survival show Sixteen and officially debuted on October 20, 2015, releasing their first EP titled The Story Begins featuring the title track “Like OOH-AHH”. Their breakthrough was in 2016 with their single “Cheer Up” breaking into number 1 on the Gaon Digital Chart and became the best-performing single of the year. Twice also became the first Korean girl-group to earn the Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).
Some members are from Taiwan and Japan for targeting the international market. The agency, JYP Entertainment has targeted Japan, the biggest market for K-pop abroad, along with China, which also has tremendous potential.
The meaning behind TWICE’s name was first explained by J.Y. Park during the production of Sixteen as:
It means that the group will touch people’s hearts twice, once through the ears and once again through the eyes. The new group will have a natural and friendly feel to them. They will be an upgraded version of Wonder Girls and miss A, with edgy and wilder images overflowing with charisma.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in used “Cheer Up” with altered lyrics as his campaign jingle during the 2017 elections. In 2017, Twice ranked third overall and first among recording artists in Forbes Korea Power Celebrity. The girl group also received the prestigious Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards.
In 2018, Twice received their third MAMA Song of the Year award in a row with “What Is Love?” making them the first group to win the award for three consecutive years.