Nayeon

Who Is Nayeon?

Nayeon is the oldest member and one of the lead vocalists of TWICE, the record-breaking South Korean girl group under JYP Entertainment. Born Im Na-yeon on September 22, 1995, in Seoul, she is often called the group’s “Face of the Group” thanks to her frequent center positioning and instantly recognizable smile.

Early Life and Trainee Years

Nayeon secretly auditioned for JYP Entertainment’s 7th Open Audition as a middle schooler and officially became a trainee in September 2010. She was later cast for a planned girl group called 6mix, which never made it to debut. That setback didn’t slow her down — she kept training until she landed a spot on JYP and Mnet’s 2015 survival show SIXTEEN, where she ultimately finished in first place and became the very first member confirmed for TWICE.

Debut and Rise with TWICE

TWICE debuted on October 20, 2015 with the EP The Story Begins, and Nayeon quickly became known for her bright, powerful vocals on hits like “Cheer Up,” “TT,” and “Fancy.” Over the following decade, she helped the group grow from a rookie act into one of the best-selling girl groups in K-pop history, with releases spanning Twicetagram, Feel Special, Formula of Love: O+T=<3, and 2025’s This Is For.

Solo Career

In June 2022, Nayeon became the first TWICE member to debut as a soloist, releasing the mini album IM NAYEON with its title track “POP!,” which charted on the Billboard 200. She followed up with a second mini album, NA, in 2024, further proving her range as a vocalist outside of group promotions.

Personality and Personal Life

Known for her playful, easygoing personality, Nayeon is one of TWICE’s biggest variety-show scene-stealers. She studied film at Konkuk University, counts watching movies and dramas among her favorite pastimes, and remains close friends with BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and Jennie. As TWICE marks its tenth anniversary, Nayeon continues to be one of the group’s most beloved and recognizable members, admired by fans worldwide for both her voice and her warmth.