Meet Im Nayeon, the eldest member and the quintessential “center” of TWICE. Often described as the group’s “energy booster,” she is the one you see starting almost every iconic TWICE song with her distinctive, bright vocals.
1. The “Ace” Trainee
Nayeon has a bit of a “rebel” origin story. In 2010, she secretly attended JYP Entertainment’s open audition without telling her parents, who wanted her to focus on her studies. She didn’t just pass—она placed second out of everyone there. Before TWICE was even a thought, she was the “star trainee” of the agency, appearing in music videos and commercials years before her official debut.
2. The “Fake Maknae”
Despite being the oldest (born in 1995), she is affectionately nicknamed the “Fake Maknae” (youngest) by fans and staff alike. This is because:
- She is often the most playful and mischievous member.
- She has a collection of dolls she talks to (a detail the other members love to tease her about).
- Her signature “bunny teeth” smile gives her a youthful, cute appearance that often masks her role as the eldest “unnie.”
3. Solo Success & Artistry
In June 2022, Nayeon became the first member of TWICE to debut as a soloist with the infectious hit “POP!”, which took over social media with its viral hand choreography. She proved she could dominate the charts on her own, becoming the first K-pop soloist to enter the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. In 2024, she followed up with her second EP, Na, showing a more mature, “ABCD” hip-hop-inspired side of her artistry.
4. Personal Quirks & Resilience
- Resilience: Many fans don’t realize that Nayeon’s left leg is slightly weak due to a car accident in her childhood. Despite this, she is one of the group’s lead dancers, proving her incredible work ethic and strength.
- The “Thinker”: Interestingly, Nayeon is the only member of TWICE with a “Thinking” (T) personality type in her MBTI (ISTP). While the others are often very emotional, she is known for being blunt, logical, and saying exactly what is on her mind.
- Odd Habits: She reportedly sleeps with her eyes open and has a strange obsession with butter and olive oil—she’s been known to eat butter straight from the block!
- 5. What She’s Doing Now (2026)
Currently, Nayeon is touring the world with TWICE on their massive “THIS IS FOR” World Tour. In the 2026 shows, she has a standout solo stage performing a playful, high-energy track called “MEEEEEE,” which captures her signature “pop princess” charisma perfectly.
She also remains a major fashion icon, serving as a muse for Givenchy Beauty and the Asia ambassador for Tommy Jeans, balancing her global pop star status with a highly successful career in high fashion.