Jihyo

Jihyo is the leader and main vocalist of the K-pop girl group TWICE under JYP Entertainment. Born Park Ji-soo on February 1, 1997, in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, she later legalized her name to Park Jihyo shortly before appearing on the survival show that would form TWICE. Jihyo holds the distinction of training the longest of any TWICE member, joining JYP Entertainment as an eight-year-old trainee in 2005 and spending roughly a decade preparing for her debut.

In 2015, Jihyo competed on the reality competition Sixteen and was chosen by her fellow members, through an anonymous vote, to become TWICE’s leader — not a decision made by the agency. TWICE debuted on October 20, 2015, with the mini album The Story Begins, and Jihyo’s powerful vocals quickly became a defining pillar of the group’s sound, anchoring hits like “Cheer Up,” “TT,” “Fancy,” and “Feel Special.”

Beyond her role in TWICE, Jihyo made her solo debut on August 18, 2023, with the mini album ZONE, led by the title track “Killin’ Me Good.” The EP showcased her songwriting range, with Jihyo credited as a lyricist or composer on the majority of its tracks, and featured collaborations with Heize and American rapper 24kGoldn. ZONE debuted at number one on South Korea’s Circle Album Chart and reached the top 15 of the Billboard 200, cementing Jihyo’s presence as a soloist alongside her group work.

As TWICE’s leader, Jihyo is widely respected for her steady decision-making, work ethic, and close bond with the other eight members. She continues to guide the group through new comebacks, world tours, and international collaborations, all while remaining one of the most prolific songwriters within TWICE’s lineup.