Minatozaki Sana / 湊﨑 紗夏 / 미나토자키 사나

Meet Minatozaki Sana, the personification of “Shy Shy Shy” and the only extrovert in TWICE. While she is famous for her viral “aegyo” (cuteness), Sana is secretly one of the most hardworking and linguistically gifted members of the group.

1. The “No Sana, No Life” Global Impact

Sana has a unique ability to make things go viral just by existing. From her iconic “Sha Sha Sha” line in Cheer Up to her “Cheese Kimbap” moment, she is often the member who draws new fans into the fandom.

  • The “Snake” Personality: Within the group, she is affectionately known as a “snake”—not because she’s untrustworthy, but because she is incredibly affectionate and physically clingy with her members, “slithering” into their personal space for hugs and kisses.
  • The Master of Korean: Despite being Japanese, Sana’s Korean is so fluent that fans call her “Kim Sana.” She is even skilled in Korean calligraphy and has fooled her own members by forging their handwriting!

2. High-Fashion & Global Ambassadorship (2026)

As of early 2026, Sana has solidified herself as a major force in the fashion world.

  • Ralph Lauren Global Face: She is currently a brand ambassador for Polo Ralph Lauren. In March 2026, she headlined a massive Mediterranean-themed pop-up event in Taipei for their “Polo Play” handbag collection, proving her massive pull in the luxury market.
  • Prada & Beyond: She is also a frequent front-row fixture at Milan Fashion Week for Prada, often cited as one of the most influential K-pop stars in the European fashion circuit.

3. Recent Milestones: MISAMO & “Decaffeinated”

  • MISAMO: Sana is 1/3 of TWICE’s Japanese sub-unit MISAMO. In February 2026, they released their first full-length Japanese album, PLAY.
  • 2026 Solo Stage: On the current “THIS IS FOR” World Tour, Sana performs a solo track titled “Decaffeinated.” It’s a stylish, effortless performance that highlights her “playful confidence.” Fans at the early 2026 North American shows (like the Oakland Arena stop) have praised it as a highlight for its smooth choreography and her magnetic stage presence.

4. Personal Quirks & Insider Facts

  • Clumsy but Athletic: Sana is famously the clumsiest member of TWICE—she often trips over nothing and was once even filmed falling off a bus in the “Like OOH-AHH” music video (which they kept in the final cut!). However, she is weirdly good at running on slippery surfaces and has no fear of acupuncture mats.
  • Only Child: She is the only member of TWICE who has no siblings, which might explain why she treats her fellow members like the sisters she never had.
  • Fear of Lightning: Despite her brave stage presence, she is terrified of thunder and lightning.
  • The “Graveyard” Trainee: Along with Momo, she joined JYP on April 13, 2012. Like the other 6MIX candidates, she faced years of debut cancellations before Sixteen finally gave her a permanent spot.

5. Current 2026 Status

Sana is currently in Japan for a historic milestone: TWICE is becoming the first overseas artist to perform solo at the Tokyo National Stadium (April 25–28, 2026). This “mega dome” tour is expected to mobilize 240,000 fans, and Sana—as a home-town hero from Osaka—is one of the most anticipated performers of the event.

Sana is the “Precious Yet Powerful” member who balances a bubbly, “healing” personality with the sharp professionalism of a veteran idol.