TWICE (트와이스): The Group That Defined K-Pop's Third Generation

TWICE wasn't assembled in a studio. They were chosen on television — nine survivors from the twenty candidates of JYP Entertainment's survival program Sixteen (2015), selected partly by audience vote and partly by Park Jin-young himself. The origin story was public, participatory, and messy in ways the typical idol debut isn't. It also gave them something most groups have to build from scratch: an audience that was emotionally invested before the first single dropped.

The Members

Three Korean members, three Japanese members, one Taiwanese, one Korean-American. The international composition — like BLACKPINK's — was deliberate, giving TWICE immediate reach across Asia before they had released a single song.

The Debut and "CHEER UP"

TWICE debuted on October 20, 2015, with the EP THE STORY BEGINS and the single "Like OOH-AHH." The response was strong. But it was their second single — "CHEER UP" (2016) — that established what TWICE would be.

"CHEER UP" became the best-charting K-Pop song on the Gaon Chart for 2016, won multiple music show trophies, and introduced the TWICE formula: bright, energetic, accessible pop with easy-to-follow choreography and an aesthetic built around freshness and approachability.

The 2016–2019 Peak

TWICE's run from 2016 to 2019 was remarkable for its consistency. Key releases:

• "TT" (2016) — the Halloween concept, with the "T T" hand gesture that became one of K-Pop's most iconic choreography moments

• "What is Love?" (2018) — homage to classic romantic films; one of their most sophisticated concepts

• "FANCY" (2019) — the beginning of a visual and sonic evolution toward a more mature concept

Japan. TWICE's success in Japan was exceptional — they became one of the most commercially successful Korean acts in Japan since TVXQ. Multiple Japan-exclusive releases, sold-out Tokyo Dome dates, and Japanese debut records across streaming and physical sales. Momo, Sana, and Mina's Japanese origins were a structural asset.

Tip — ONCEs (원스): TWICE's official fandom name is ONCE — the name reflects the group name: "TWICE," because they will "touch your heart twice — once through the eyes and once through the ears." ONCE is one of the largest organized K-Pop fandoms, with particularly strong presence in Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

The Evolution (2019–Present)

TWICE's 2020s era has been defined by an intentional maturation. The bright, bubbly aesthetic that defined their peak years gave way to something more confident and sophisticated:

• "I CAN'T STOP ME" (2020) — synth-pop influenced; one of their most praised tracks

• "Alcohol-Free" (2021) — deliberate restraint, praised for its contrast with their earlier maximalism

• "The Feels" (2021) — first English-language single; charted on Billboard Hot 100

• "Talk That Talk" (2022) and "SET ME FREE" (2023) — continued stylistic versatility

Why TWICE Matters in K-Pop History

TWICE demonstrated that a multinational girl group could sustain chart dominance over multiple years — not just arrive as a moment. Their Japan market success and long-term commercial reliability established JYP's formula as a viable alternative to SM and YG approaches.

Key Discography

Next up: NCT: SM's Infinite Expansion Experiment →