History of K-Pop: TWICE

TWICE is a group that needs no introduction. The international girl group has become a household name in the K-Pop industry. Since their debut in 2015, they have successfully captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. Their catchy songs, outstanding performance skills, and captivating visuals have garnered them a strong and loyal fanbase worldwide. This month we will be talking about the History of TWICE. 

Forming TWICE

TWICE was formed through JYP Entertainment's survival show SIXTEEN in 2015, where sixteen trainees competed for a spot in the final lineup to debut. Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, and Chaeyoung successfully secured their spots at the end of the show. However, J.Y. Park announced that he would be adding two more girls to the final lineup, expanding the group from seven to nine members. Tzuyu was added due to her popularity among viewers, while Momo was chosen for her dancing and performance skills, which Mr. Park believed the group needed. This decision surprised viewers, as Momo had previously been eliminated from the show. Nonetheless, TWICE was formed and the rest was history.

The group’s name has a special message, J.Y. Park stated “They will be able to move people twice. Once through the ears and once through the eyes." Their fandom name is ONCE because according to the members, "If you love us even once, we will repay your love with twice of our love.”

TWICE stands out with its diverse international lineup, featuring members from different countries. Mina, Sana, and Momo are from Japan, while Tzuyu represents Taiwan. This unique combination makes the group stand out and appeal to fans outside of Korea and helps them as they perform songs in languages other than Korean. 

TWICE made their debut on October 20, 2015, with their EP The Story Begins and the lead single “Like Ooh-Ahh”. The song slowly gained popularity among fans, and its music video became the most-viewed K-Pop debut on YouTube, reaching over 50 million views within a few months. Their early success would win the group “Best Female New Artist” at 2015 Mnet’s Asian Music Awards.

Unique concept and music style

The group's concept can be labeled as cute bubblegum pop which goes with their upbeat and vibrant pop music. Their cheerful and energetic music resonates with their audience, spreading love and positivity. The members’ character, group dynamic, and trendsetting fashion separate them from other groups. TWICE has had many iconic moments and visually appealing choreography that stuck with fans. In their second title track “Cheer Up” blew up in popularity, netizens could not get over member Sana’s “shy shy shy” part in the song due to her cute nature and aegyo. 

In 2017, TWICE made their Japanese debut with their album #TWICE which consisted of five of their Korean songs translated to Japanese. The album became an instant success and their “TT” pose became a popular trend among teens in Japan. The girls would follow up their Japanese debut with their first performance in Japan shortly after their album was released. 

Group Impact and Achievements

The International Girl Group continues to grow, achieving numerous awards and nominations. Currently, TWICE holds the second-highest number of music show wins among girl groups, with 121 wins, and has the second most music show wins behind BTS. The group has received many awards and nominations throughout the years including “Best Female Artist”, “Song of the Year”, and many more. 

TWICE's massive success has made them a household name in the K-Pop industry. Originally targeting their audience in Asia, the group's expansion to international fans has not only solidified their popularity but has also established them as international superstars. 

In 2021, their third album Formula of Love: O+T=<3, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The album contained their first all-English single “The Feels”, appealing to their international fans, and was well-received among fans.

That same year, the group announced their fourth world tour and initially had five tour stops in North America. However, another show was added to their LA and NY shows due to high demand after being sold out. TWICE became the first female K-Pop act to hold two separate arena tours in the world's biggest music market, according to Forbes Magazine. Their North American tour was a huge success, selling out rapidly. The group held an encore concert in LA, making them the first K-Pop group to headline a stadium concert in the United States. The encore was such a success that they had to add a second show due to high demand. Their record-breaking streak continued in Japan as their two-day show sold out on the same day, prompting the group to add a third show. This made the group the first K-Pop girl group to hold three shows in a row at Tokyo Dome. 

Challenges and Controversies

The road to success was not easy for the popular girl group. There were some bumps in the road the girls had to face. When the group was formed in 2015, netizens were conflicted with the final lineup, primarily around the addition of Momo and Tzuyu. Many saw it as unfair to the other contestants that Momo was included despite being eliminated and many claimed that Tzuyu got added solely because of her visuals. However, mixed reactions to the final lineup of all survival shows are pretty much guaranteed in all survival shows. In response to the backlash, Momo and Tzuyu worked extra hard to show fans that they had earned their place in TWICE.

Additionally, the girls faced many issues with language and cultural barriers. Since not all members are Korean, there were miscommunication issues. The non-Korean members have spoken about their struggles to understand the staff and other trainees because they were not fluent in Korean during their trainee years. Fortunately, the girls were able to find a way to communicate with each other better and bridge the language barrier. The J-Line and Tzuyu have since become fluent in Korean and the group has taken an interest in learning each other’s languages to not only communicate with each other but with their fans as well.

The group's positive attitude, determination, and passion have enabled them to overcome any obstacle gracefully.

Future Plans and Conclusion

TWICE has achieved tremendous success in their career over the years, and they show no signs of slowing down. Recently, the group hit another milestone in K-Pop by renewing their seven year contract with their agency, JYP Entertainment. This means that fans all over the world can eagerly look forward to what the future holds for the group.

So far, TWICE plans to continue releasing catchy hits, as well as performing in concerts in the upcoming years. In addition, the group intends to release solo projects. Currently, only Nayeon and Jihyo have released their highly anticipated solo projects, which have been instant hits and well-received by their fans.

Meanwhile, a TWICE subunit named MISAMO has debuted, consisting of the J-Line of TWICE. The subunit was immediately praised for their mature sound, sensational choreography, and stunning visuals. Fans appreciate how each new project showcases a different side of these talented performers while still fitting each member's unique style.

Throughout the years, TWICE has gracefully grown and evolved, maintaining their adorable and lively concept while embracing a more mature fashion. They strive to strike a balance and confidently embrace their transformation into beautiful young women.

Edited by Vivian N.