Mina (Japanese singer)


Mina Myōi, known mononymously as Mina, is a Japanese singer and dancer based in South Korea. She is a member of the girl group Twice, formed by JYP Entertainment. Mina is one of Twice's three Japanese members.

Early life

Mina was born on March 24, 1997 in San Antonio, Texas, and grew up in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. She moved to Japan when she was a toddler. Mina trained in ballet from a young age, having practiced it for over a decade before debuting with Twice. She attended Obayashi Sacred Heart School. In 2017, it was reported that Mina holds dual Japanese and American citizenship.

Career

Debut with Twice

Mina was shopping with her mother in Osaka when she was approached and offered an audition by a JYP recruiter. She later departed for South Korea in 2014 to become a K-pop idol by becoming a trainee under JYP Entertainment. In 2015, Mina participated in the South Korean reality television show Sixteen, hosted by JYP Entertainment and co-produced by Mnet. As one of nine successful participants, she went on to join the newly-formed girl group Twice. In October 2015, Mina officially debuted as a member of Twice with their first extended play, The Story Begins. The lead single "Like Ooh-Ahh" was the first K-pop debut song to reach 100 million views on YouTube.

Public image

Mina is known for being one of Twice's main dancers and has received recognition in South Korea and abroad. Her popularity – in conjunction with that of fellow Japanese members Momo and Sana – has been credited with improving relations between Japan and South Korea by the Chosun Ilbo. In Gallup Korea's annual music poll of 2019, she was voted the 20th most popular idol in South Korea.

Health issues

On July 11, 2019, JYP Entertainment announced that Mina would sit out the remainder of Twice's ongoing World Tour Twicelights due to sudden extreme anxiety and insecurity problems regarding performing on stage. She was later diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. In February of 2020 it was reported that Mina's condition had improved and that she had returned to performing live with Twice.

Discography

Songwriting credits

YearSongAlbumArtistWithRef.
2018"Shot Thru The Heart"Summer NightsTwiceMomo and Sana
2019"21:29"Feel SpecialTwiceAll Twice members