The story of TWICE began through the 2015 survival reality show Sixteen, where sixteen trainees from JYP Entertainment competed for a spot in the agency’s next major girl group. The competition was designed to test not only their singing and dancing abilities but also their “star power” and character.
The “Minor” vs. “Major” Hardship
The show didn’t just rank the girls on paper; it forced them to live their rank.
- The Major Team: Lived in a luxury dorm, traveled in a high-end van, and were allowed to practice during the prime daytime hours (9:00 AM to 9:00 PM).
- The Minor Team: Lived in a cramped, “dirty” dorm, traveled by public transport or a regular bus, and were only allowed to use the practice rooms during the “graveyard shift” (9:00 PM to 9:00 AM).
This meant the Minor team members were often sleep-deprived and exhausted, which added a massive layer of psychological and physical pressure to the competition.
Finalist Line Up
This finalized nine-member roster—comprising Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu—officially debuted on October 20, 2015, with the high-energy anthem “Like OOH-AHH.” The group’s name carries a specific mission: to touch their audience’s hearts “twice,” first through their ears with their music and then through their eyes with their captivating performances. By blending members from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, they were built from the start as a global powerhouse, eventually earning the title of the “Nation’s Girl Group” through their bright “color-pop” sound and infectious choreography.
Bonus: The “Almost” Stars
Sixteen is also legendary for the “future superstars” who were eliminated but went on to lead other famous groups. If you look closely at the contestants who didn’t make it into TWICE, you’ll see some very familiar faces:
- Chaeryeong: Eventually debuted as the main dancer of ITZY.
- Somi: Became the #1 winner of Produce 101, debuted in I.O.I, and is now a famous soloist.
- Jiwon: Debuted as the main vocal of fromis_9.
- Natty: After years of training and a solo debut, she is now a standout member of Kiss of Life.
- Chaeyeon: Debuted in the iconic group IZ*ONE and is now a successful soloist.
It’s wild to think that JYP had that much talent in a single room back in 2015!
released in April 2015, serves as the high-stakes introduction to Sixteen, the survival reality show that ultimately formed TWICE. The JYP Philosophy: In the video, J.Y. Park explains that his criteria for the new girl group differ from other agencies; he isn’t looking for “manufactured” stars, but rather individuals who are “healthy and natural”.