Who is Twice? Get to know the girl group's members, milestones and latest album release
Since their debut in 2015, Twice has become one of the best-selling K-pop girl groups of all time.
From their latest honors at the Billboard Women in Music awards to their high-charting album, extended play and single releases, the group has had continued success throughout their career. On March 10, Twice released their highly-anticipated mini album, "Ready to Be."
With over 27 million followers on Instagram, 11.4 million followers on Twitter and 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Twice is one of the most recognizable groups to rise out of South Korea's music scene. But for some, this article may be their first introduction.
Here's everything you need to know about the K-pop group TWICE, especially with their newest album release and upcoming world tour.
Who is Twice?
Twice is a nine member K-pop girl group under JYP Entertainment. The group was initially formed on the competition show "Sixteen" in 2015.
Comprised of members Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu, the group debuted in 2015 with the song “Like OOH-AHH." Since their debut, TWICE has sold over 10 million albums and gained nearly 6 billion streams on Spotify, making them one of the best-selling K-pop girl groups of all time.
How many members are in Twice?
There are nine members:
Nayeon (Full name: Im Na-yeon). Born Sept. 22, 1995in Seoul, South Korea.Vocalist, dancer.
Jeongyeon (Full name: Yoo Jeong-yeon). Born Nov. 1, 1996 in Suwon, Gyeonggi, South Korea. Vocalist.
Momo (Full name: Hirai Momo). Born Nov. 9, 1996 in Kyōtanabe, Japan. Dancer, vocalist, rapper.
Sana (Full name: Minatozaki Sana). Born Dec. 29, 1996 in Tennōji-ku, Osaka, Japan. Vocalist.
Jihyo (Full name: Park Ji-hyo). Born Feb. 1, 1997 in Guri, Gyeonggi, South Korea. Leader, vocalist.
Mina (Full name: Mina Myoi). Born March 24, 1997 in San Antonio, Texas. Dancer, vocalist.
Dahyun (Full name: Kim Da-hyun). Born May 28, 1998 in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, South Korea. Rapper vocalist.
Chaeyoung (Full name: Son Chae-young). Born April 23, 1999 in Seoul, South Korea. Rapper, vocalist.
Tzuyu (Full name: Chou Tzu-yu). Born June 14, 1999 in Tainan, Taiwan. Dancer, vocalist.
Why are they called Twice?
Twice was given their name by JYP Entertainment founder J.Y. Park. In 2015, Park revealed the name of the girl group he planned to form on the competition show "Sixteen."
He said the group would be named Twice because "they will be able to move people twice. Once through the ears and once through the eyes."
What are Twice fans called?
The fandom name for Twice is called "Once." This name was given to fans by the members in 2015. They posted on Instagram the reasoning, saying: "If you love us even once, we will repay your love with twice of our love.”
Twice's 'Ready to Be' on March 10
The group's latest mini album released on March 10. The group pre-released track "Moonlight Sunrise" January 20, which debuted at No. 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song marks Twice's second all-English single after their 2021 release, "The Feels."
The mini album's tracklist includes:
Set Me Free
Moonlight Sunrise
Got the Thrills
Blame It on Me
Wallflower
Crazy Stupid Love
Set Me Free (English-language version)
Twice's 5th world tour kicks off soon
In February, the group announced their fifth world tour with stops across the globe, including in the U.S. It kicks off April 15 at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, South Korea.
With this tour, Twice will become the first female K-pop group to headline in MLB and NFL stadiums in the U.S.
For the 2023 tour, Twice will make stops in several U.S. cities, including:
SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (Saturday, June 10)
Oakland Arena, Oakland (Tuesday, June 13)
Tacoma Dome, Seattle (Friday, June 16)
Globe Life Field, Dallas (Wednesday, June 21)
Toyota Center, Houston (Saturday, June 24)
United Center, Chicago (Wednesday, June 28)
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (Thursday, July 6)
Truist Park, Atlanta (Sunday, July 9)
Tickets for the tour can be purchased through Ticketmaster. The Verified Fan onsale will take place on Wednesday, March 22 at 3 p.m. local time.
Twice hits milestones
Their breakthrough single "Cheer Up" in 2016 received various accolades, reaching top placements on several Korean charts, as well as winning "Song of the Year" at the Melon Music Awards and Mnet Asian Music Awards, two of the major music award shows in South Korea.
Since then, TWICE has released multiple albums, EPs and hit singles, such as "TT", "What is Love", "I Can't Stop Me" and many more. Their most recent release in August 2022 was the group's 11th EP, "BETWEEN 1&2." The EP reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 Album chart, and its lead single “Talk that Talk” hit the top 20 on Billboard’s Global 200 chart.
Throughout the years, TWICE has received many awards and recognitions for their work. Most recently, TWICE received the "Breakthrough Award" at the Billboard Women in Music awards on March 1. In 2017, the group made Billboard’s 21 Under 21: Music’s Next Generation issue, placing 18th and was the only Asian act on the list.
They also received the "Best Female Group" award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021. In 2022, TWICE was the most-streamed female K-pop group on Spotify.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Get to know Twice: A guide to the K-pop girl group's members, tour