Meet Chou Tzuyu, the “Golden Maknae” (youngest member) and the visual icon of TWICE. Originally from Tainan, Taiwan, her journey from a viral dance video to becoming one of the most famous faces in the world is the ultimate success story.
1. The “Audience Choice” Miracle
Tzuyu’s path to TWICE was unique. During the survival show Sixteen, she wasn’t actually part of the original seven-member winners’ circle chosen by the judges. However, she was so overwhelmingly popular with the viewers—consistently topping the global voting charts—that J.Y. Park added her as an eighth “extra” member specifically because of the public’s demand. It turned out to be one of the best decisions in K-pop history.
2. The “Upright” Maknae
Despite being the youngest, Tzuyu is often described by the other eight members as the most “mature” and “upright.”
- Early Bird: She is famous for her strict self-discipline; she wakes up earlier than everyone else to do her skincare and stretching, and she is known for having incredibly straight posture, even when she’s just sitting on a couch.
- The “Savage” Maknae: While she is very polite and soft-spoken, she is secretly the funniest member because of her “savage” honesty. She often delivers blunt, hilarious truths to her older members (unnies) with a completely straight face.
3. Solo Debut: abouTZU
In September 2024, Tzuyu became the third member of TWICE to debut as a soloist with her mini-album abouTZU.
- The Concept: The title track “Run Away” allowed her to shed her “cute youngest” image and embrace a mature, synth-pop sound that highlighted her growth as a vocalist and dancer.
- Global Impact: Her solo debut topped iTunes charts in over 11 regions and proved that the “shy girl from Taiwan” had evolved into a confident, commanding solo artist.
4. 2026 Activities & The “THIS IS FOR” Tour
On the current “THIS IS FOR” World Tour, Tzuyu’s solo stage is a masterclass in elegance.
- Solo Stage: “Fly”: She performs a graceful, high-concept stage for her song “Fly.” It often involves beautiful silk choreography or elevated platforms, emphasizing her tall stature and fluid movements.
- Brand Power: By 2026, Tzuyu has become a titan in the luxury world. She is the Global Brand Ambassador for POND’S Skin Institute and has a massive ongoing partnership with the luxury brand Max Mara, frequently appearing in high-fashion editorials that showcase her “timeless” beauty.
5. Personal Quirks & Insider Facts
- Animal Lover: Tzuyu is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She has frequently volunteered at animal shelters and famously adopted her two dogs, Kaya and Butter, rather than buying them from a breeder.
- The “Yoda” Nickname: Because of her large, beautiful eyes and slightly pointed ears, her members nicknamed her “Yoda” from Star Wars. She even did a viral impression of the character during her early debut days.
- Multilingual Struggles: Since moving to Korea at a young age, Tzuyu has become fluent in Korean, but she often speaks in a very careful, deliberate way. Fans love her “Tzu-isms”—the small, accidental vocabulary mistakes she makes that the members find adorable.
- Tallest Member: Standing at approximately 170cm (5’7″), she is the tallest member of the group, which often leads to funny photos where the older members have to stand on boxes to match her height.
Tzuyu is the “Visual of the Century” who worked twice as hard to prove she was more than just a pretty face. Today, she is respected as a stable vocalist, a powerful dancer, and the beloved “baby” of the TWICE family.