Here’s the short version: international fans paying closer attention to Nayeon right now isn’t just a popularity spike. She’s currently the center of the largest K-pop girl group tour ever staged, and that’s landing at the same time her solo career — the first in TWICE to chart on Billboard — has fully come into its own.
What Is TWICE, Exactly? (A Quick Primer)
TWICE is a nine-member girl group under JYP Entertainment, formed through the survival show “SIXTEEN” and debuted on October 20, 2015. More than a decade later, they’re still one of the few third-generation K-pop girl groups performing at the top of the industry.
“SIXTEEN” was JYP’s survival competition to select a debut lineup, and all nine finalists became the members of TWICE. What’s notable is that the lineup hasn’t changed once since debut — all nine members are still active together, which is genuinely rare in K-pop.
As of 2026, the group is on their sixth world tour, “THIS IS FOR.” It spans 78 shows across 43 regions, making it the largest K-pop girl group tour on record. That scale alone says a lot — TWICE is somehow growing its global footprint even a decade into its run. English-language singles and expanding U.S. and European tour legs have become a bigger part of their output year over year.
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What’s Nayeon’s Role in the Group?
Nayeon is TWICE’s center and lead vocalist. She finished second on “SIXTEEN” to secure her spot, and she’s served as the group’s face from debut through today. On signature tracks like “Cheer Up,” “TT,” and “Feel Special,” it’s usually her vocal line leading the intro or chorus.
Why International Fans Are Watching Nayeon Right Now
1. Center of the biggest tour in the genre’s history The ongoing “THIS IS FOR” tour runs 78 shows across 43 regions — a scale no K-pop girl group has hit before. Nayeon has held the center position at nearly every stop. Worth noting: Dahyun sat out part of the North American leg after fracturing her ankle before returning to the tour, and the fact that the tour kept its footing through that says something about how solid the group’s foundation is.
2. The first TWICE solo debut, and a real Billboard run Nayeon became the first TWICE member to go solo, debuting with “IM NAYEON” in 2022. The EP hit No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Top Album Sales chart. Lead single “POP!” is still a fan-favorite singalong at concerts two years later. Her follow-up solo release, “NA,” showed a more mature artistic direction and cemented her as a legitimate solo act, not just a member on a side project.
3. A foothold in fashion Nayeon has attended multiple Louis Vuitton shows at Paris Fashion Week and has maintained a long-running relationship with the brand. Regardless of whether she holds an official ambassador title, she’s one of the relatively few K-pop idols whose name comes up regularly in fashion circles outside the usual K-pop fandom.
4. A symbol of a group that’s still going strong at 10+ years K-pop’s activity cycles tend to be short, so groups that make it past a decade are rare. TWICE is one of the exceptions, and Nayeon has been the group’s most consistent public face throughout that run. In a market flooded with new debuts every year, that kind of longevity is itself a story international fans find compelling.
5. Trust built through years of fan interaction Nayeon has regularly served as the group’s spokesperson in interviews and video content. She’s handled English-language press and international media with a natural ease, which has earned her a reputation — among both domestic and international fans — as one of the more approachable members. That accumulated goodwill plays a real part in why she’s getting attention now.
TWICE’s Biggest Songs, If You Want the Highlights
A quick run through their discography makes it clearer why Nayeon became the group’s defining face.
- “Cheer Up” (2016): The song that put TWICE on the map, best known for its “Shy Shy Shy” hook.
- “TT” (2016): Released the same year, widely seen as the track that locked in TWICE’s bright, catchy signature sound.
- “What is Love?” (2018): Famous for a music video built around a string of movie homages.
- “Feel Special” (2019): A message-driven track for fans that remains a deeply loved song within the fandom.
- “The Feels” (2021): An all-English single that landed on the Billboard Hot 100 and marked a serious push into the North American market.
Across that entire run, Nayeon has consistently anchored the intro or chorus vocals from debut to now — which is a big part of why she’s been the group’s public face for so long.
If You’re Just Starting Out
If you don’t know much about TWICE yet, starting with Nayeon is a solid entry point into the group. “Cheer Up,” “What is Love?,” and “Feel Special” alone will give you a solid feel for their overall sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is TWICE still active? Yes. As of 2026, they’re on their sixth world tour and remain highly active more than a decade after debut.
Q. Is Nayeon the leader of TWICE? No. Jihyo is TWICE’s leader. Nayeon serves as center and lead vocalist.
Q. Can I start with Nayeon’s solo albums instead? Absolutely. Both “IM NAYEON” and “NA” show a distinct solo identity separate from her work with TWICE, which actually makes them a good entry point.
Q. Do other TWICE members have solo careers too? Yes. Several members have gone on to release solo work since Nayeon’s debut. Balancing group and individual activity has become a normal part of how TWICE operates these days.
Quick Checklist
- TWICE debuted in 2015 under JYP with nine members and is now over a decade into their career
- Currently on the “THIS IS FOR” world tour — 78 shows across 43 regions, the largest K-pop girl group tour on record
- Nayeon is the group’s center and lead vocalist, and TWICE’s first member to debut solo
- Her solo album “IM NAYEON” hit No. 7 on the Billboard 200
- Being one of the rare third-generation groups still going strong after 10+ years is part of what’s drawing renewed attention
The attention on Nayeon right now isn’t a coincidence. It’s a career built over a decade lining up with a record-breaking tour at exactly the right moment. The fact that a group’s central member can still pull in new fans this deep into their run says a lot about how solid TWICE’s career has been overall. If you’re new to TWICE, starting with Nayeon isn’t a bad way in.
