Arzen Rose Dulzura

TWICE Through the Years: from rookie girl group to global royalty that defined a decade of K-Pop

Article (news)

Push Team

<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%"></span>Ten years, countless hits, oceans of candy bong light sticks, and one unbreakable bond between nine stars and millions of ONCE around the world.  TWICE, from JYP Entertainment, has officially turned 10.</p><p>Don’t be shy, shy, shy and take a closer look at the timeline of TWICE’s most iconic moments, global milestones, and Filipino interactions that led to this sweet 10th anniversary.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>2015: “Like OOH-AHH,” TWICE debuts with a bang</strong></div><p>TWICE was born out of the popular South Korean reality survival show <em>Sixteen</em>” in 2015, created by JYP Entertainment. The show brought together sixteen talented trainees competing for a spot in a new girl group. After weeks of challenges, performances, and tough decisions, nine finalists were chosen to debut as TWICE.</p><p>According to J.Y. Park, founder of JYP Entertainment, the girl group was named TWICE as &quot;they will be able to move people twice. Once through the ears and once through the eyes.” Later, the group members named their fandom as “ONCE,” reasoning that &quot;If you love us even once, we will repay your love with twice of our love.”</p><p>The nine members: Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu immediately captured attention with their infectious energy, catchy songs, and charming personalities.</p><p>On October 20, 2015, TWICE officially debuted under JYP Entertainment with the debut track “Like OOH-AHH.”  Although their debut music video looked like something straight out of a K-drama zombie apocalypse, the real story depicts how fresh and vibrant the girls felt.</p><p>Despite being new to the K-Pop scene then, TWICE had already won the Best New Female Artist at the MNet Asian Music Awards (MAMA).</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/06/27/19/one-in-a-million-reasons-to-love-k-pop-group-twice"><strong><u>READ: One in a million: Reasons to love K-pop group Twice</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>2016: Cheer Up, baby!</strong></div><p>If 2015 was their warm-up, 2016 was the year TWICE exploded.</p><p>The release of “Cheer Up” in April sent them into the K-pop center stage, powered by Sana’s now-immortal line: “shy shy shy.” The line was instantly meme-worthy and arguably helped turn the song into a viral phenomenon not just in Korea, but across Asia, especially in the Philippines. Even local variety shows and mall performers were soon incorporating the choreography.</p><p>“Cheer Up” earned TWICE their very first Song of the Year award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), a huge feat for a rookie group.</p><p>In the same year, the official light stick of the fandom called “Candy Bong” was released.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>2017: TT craze and TWICE-mania in PH.</strong></div><p>By 2017, the TT dance had fully taken over the world.</p><p>The track became a cultural reset – kids were doing the TT pose in school programs, celebrities were mimicking it on national TV, and TikTok was flooded with Filipino users trying to nail the “I’m like TT” expression.</p><p>TWICE also released multiple hits that year, such as “Knock Knock” and “Signal” among others, accompanied by quirky, cinematic music videos. “Signal“ might have been controversial for a span of time when it was released, but it still earned them another Song of the Year win.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/entertainment/09/02/18/watch-sharon-cuneta-dances-to-k-pop-hit-tt"><strong><u>WATCH: Sharon Cuneta dances to K-pop hit &#x27;TT&#x27;</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>2018: Going global with “What is Love?”</strong></div><p>TWICE embraced a new level of maturity in 2018 with the release of “What Is Love?” capturing the innocence of first love, making it an instant anthem for young fans. It also won Song of the Year at Gaon Chart Music Awards.</p><p>The group also received their second consecutive Best Dance Performance Female Group award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) and had a successful Japanese tour, the &quot;TWICE Showcase Live Tour 2018 &#x27;Candy Pop&#x27;&quot;.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/09/18/23/twice-recreates-what-is-love-mv-in-collab-with-snack-brand"><strong><u>READ: TWICE recreates ‘What is Love?’ MV in collab with snack brand</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>2019: TWICE arrives in the PH with ‘TWICELIGHTS’ in Manila, their first Philippine concert</strong></div><p>On June 29, 2019, TWICE held their first-ever concert in the Philippines as part of their TWICELIGHTS world tour, and the MOA Arena was never the same.</p><p>Tickets sold out in minutes, and fans finally got to see their idols in the flesh. The girls expressed their gratitude to Filipino ONCEs during the show, with Jeongyeon even shouting “We love you, Philippines!”</p><p>Local fans responded with a sea of glowing candy bong lights sticks and deafening fan chants. The concert felt like a homecoming, even though it was their first time performing in the country. That night, TWICE promised to return and Filipino ONCE hoped for them.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2019/6/30/fresh-scoops/magkikita-tayo-ulit-k-pop-group-twice-promises-37585"><strong><u>READ: ‘Magkikita tayo ulit’: K-Pop group TWICE promises inevitable return to PH </u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>2020: Even the pandemic couldn’t stop TWICE</strong></div><p>Even as the world locked down in 2020, TWICE did not slow down.</p><p>Despite COVID-19 halting in-person events, TWICE stayed active with releases like “More &amp; More” and the retro-synth “I Can’t Stop Me.” They adapted with online concerts and vlogs, keeping ONCE close. The group won multiple awards and stayed at the top of the Korean charts.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>2021: Breaking Into the West</strong></div><p>This year marked TWICE’s big push into the Western market with the release of their first full English single, “The Feels,” which charted on the Billboard Hot 100.</p><p>They also released “Alcohol-Free” during summer and continued their streak of wins at MAMA, Seoul Music Awards, and Genie Music Awards. “The Feels” introduced a new audience to their signature charm, while longtime fans beamed with pride at seeing them recognized globally. Filipino ONCEs trended every comeback on local Twitter.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2021/10/1/fresh-scoops/k-pop-group-twice-releases-first-full-english-song-196080"><strong><u>READ: K-pop group TWICE releases first full English song ‘The Feels’ </u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>2022: Global Queens, Solo Stars</strong><strong></strong></div><p>As a group, TWICE returned with “Talk That Talk” and their album <em>Between 1&amp;2</em>’while also beginning to explore solo activities.</p><p>Nayeon became the first member to debut solo with her bubbly hit POP! earning music show wins and global chart placements. The group was honored with Best Female Group at the Genie Music Awards and remained active in Japanese promotions.</p><p>Fans saw this year as a blend of unity and individuality, proof that TWICE could shine together or apart.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2022/5/19/fresh-scoops/twices-nayeon-to-debut-as-a-solo-artist-200136"><strong><u>READ: TWICE’s Nayeon to debut as a solo artist</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>2023: TWICE enters Billboard and stadium dreams</strong></div><p>TWICE reached new heights as they released “READY TO BE,” that debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200. They became the first K-pop girl group to receive the Breakthrough Artist award at Billboard Women in Music Awards, a historic moment for the industry.</p><p>Their world tour also included a two-day stop at the Philippine Arena with the “READY TO BE” concert.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/10/23/twices-ready-to-be-concert-is-a-love-letter-to-filipino-onces"><strong><u>READ: Recap: TWICE&#x27;s &#x27;Ready To Be&#x27; concert is a &#x27;love letter&#x27; to Filipino ONCEs</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2023/3/3/twice-receives-breathrough-artist-award-at-2023-billboard-women-in-music-awards-1247"><strong><u>READ: TWICE receives Breakthrough Artist Award at 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>2024: Solo, But Still TWICE</strong></div><p>The members continued to blossom this year, with solo content, fashion endorsements, and magazine covers galore.</p><p>Jihyo and Dahyun launched solo music projects, while Momo, Sana, and Mina were busy walking runways and serving looks for luxury brands like Prada and Louis Vuitton. TWICE’s YouTube channel hit over 20 million subscribers, with Filipino viewers consistently ranking among the top five in global audience stats. Despite going solo in some ventures, the girls often reunited for special performances and VLive streams.</p><p>Their album ‘<em>With YOU-th</em>&#x27; also became No.1 on Billboard 200.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2024/3/6/twice-thanks-fans-as-they-achieve-first-no-1-on-billboard-200-2102"><strong><u>READ: TWICE thanks fans as they achieve first No. 1 on Billboard 200</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>2025: A decade with TWICE</strong></div><p>In 2025, TWICE proved that ten years in the K-pop industry is not the end of a chapter but the beginning of a new one. Marking their 10th anniversary with a bang, the group released the highly anticipated album ‘<em>TEN: The Story Continues’, </em>that mirrors their debut album and consists of solo tracks from each member.</p><p>The group also made headlines outside of music, becoming the first K-pop girl group to perform at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, where they turned heads in custom high-fashion looks, earning praise from both fashion media and fans worldwide.</p><p>Last October, TWICE got Filipino fans captivated as they visit the Philippines for the ‘This Is For World Tour’.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="http://TWICE captivated by Filipino fans&#x27; energy as they returned to PH concert stage"><strong><u>READ: TWICE captivated by Filipino fans&#x27; energy as they returned to PH concert stage</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-beauty-fashion/2025/10/16/-special-moment-twice-shines-at-victoria-s-secret-fashion-show-2025-1209"><strong><u>READ: &#x27;Special moment&#x27;: TWICE shines at Victoria&#x27;s Secret Fashion Show 2025</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>From humble beginnings to the global stage, TWICE’s decade-long journey became more than just a timeline. The girls did not just give the world catchy bops and girl-next-door charm but redefined longevity in K-pop, while creating unforgettable memories for Filipino ONCE.</p><p>As they celebrate ten dazzling years, we celebrate them right back with gratitude, streaming parties, and lots of love.</p><p>Happy 10th Anniversary, TWICE!</p><p> —by Alyana Cabuhat De Guzman</p><div> </div>

<p>As TWICE celebrate their 10th anniversary, take a closer look at their milestones.</p>

As TWICE celebrate their 10th anniversary, take a closer look at their milestones.