Since their 2016 debut, JYP girl group TWICE has had no shortage of iconic hits. From the group’s zombie-filled antics in “Like Ooh-Ahh” to the elegance of “Feel Special,” TWICE has dominated the K-Pop charts and are well-deserving of their title as “The Nation’s Girl Group.” All that being said, the one hit that seemed to truly kick off their journey into superstardom is their first comeback single, “Cheer Up”. 

Depicting an array of cinematic references from teen-slasher hit Scream to Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s, TWICE gives fans a fun-filled, cinematic education that leaves ONCEs no choice but to sing along. But what film is each member playing homage to?

NAYEON - Scream

First up is Nayeon, tackling 1996 teen-slasher horror Scream. Though there are some disagreements on which of the iconic characters Nayeon portrays in this video, it seems most likely that it is Drew Barrymore’s Casey Becker, otherwise known as Scream’s first victim. Complete with a 90s-esque brick phone and iconic screaming that the franchise became known for, this cult classic is the perfect way to kick-start TWICE’s trip to the movies.

JEONGYEON - ChungKing Express

From director Wong Kar Wai comes ChungKing Express, a dramedy that depicts two coinciding stories of Hong Kongese policemen who pine over their relationship with women. In this direct reference, Jeongyeon embodies the character of Faye (Faye Wong) in the moment she breaks into her love interest’s home and holds an impromptu dance party, set to the classic 60’s tune “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and Papas. 

MOMO - Resident Evil

Striding onto the scene is none other than TWICE’s dancing-machine Momo, who fully embraces her chosen cinematic reference: Resident Evil. Taking inspiration from the likes of Angelina Jolie and Milla Jovovich, Momo creates a demanding presence alongside Jihyo and Jeongyeon in a short series of sequences that is worthy of any action film. 

SANA - Sailor Moon

Sana’s “Shy Shy Shy” has become a staple of her K-Pop career, one that is full of the bright Sana-like charisma that fans have come to know and love. So it comes as no surprise that Sana’s bubbly personality has been translated into the vibrant world of animation, specifically anime. Here, Sana delves into her Japanese roots as famed anime character Sailor Moon, and it is clear there is no one better for this role (other than our quiet Sailor Moon fanatic, Myoui Mina). From her antenna buns to her giant pink wand, Sana’s multi-colored, animated world is one we never want to stop living in.

JIHYO - Bring It On

Probably the staple reference of the “Cheer Up” era comes from none other than TWICE’s leader, Jihyo. Here, she charges into the world of teen drama through the cheerleading classic Bring It On and shows just why she is worthy of the coveted title of head cheerleader. Only here and in Nayeon’s Scream scenario do all nine members come together, showing the power of Jihyo as the group’s leader as she is able to unite the nine members as one. 

MINA - Love Letter

TWICE’s very own ballerina shows her grace once again as Itsuki Fujii, the heroine of the Japanese film Love Letter. Despite being one of the quieter members of the rambunctious girl group, this reference allows Mina’s charms to truly flourish as she takes on her character without hesitation. As an extra note to this cinematic reference, Mina can even be seen holding love letters in her solo segments of the video. 

DAHYUN - Hwang Jini

Though historical fiction seems an odd choice for TWICE’s Dahyun, a charisma-filled oddball known for her select quirks, it is hard to picture her doing anything else. Here, she takes on the role of famed courtesan Hwang Jini, one of the most famous figures from the Joseon Dynasty, in the 2007 film of the same name. Despite taking on the smallest part of the “Cheer Up” saga, Dahyun still injects her signature charm into every frame.

CHAEYOUNG - A Fistful of Dollars

Unlike her other members, the movie Chaeyoung is referencing is somewhat unclear, with many people torn between The Great Train Robbery and Clint Eastwood’s classic, A Fistful of Dollars. However, this does not mean we love her gun-toting cowboy portrayal any less. As fans have come to expect from TWICE’s free-spirit, Chaeyoung nails her performance, even managing to land an impressive twirl of her gun in the music video’s final cut. 

TZUYU - Breakfast At Tiffany’s

Donning a black dress and pearls that have become synonymous with Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly, Tzuyu delves into classic film history with her reference to 1961’s hit film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Despite the film itself not being presented in black and white, much of its promotional material was. It helped to give “Cheer Up” a spot of elegance within its plethora of genres, and allowed TWICE’s maknae to truly shine in her own way.