Who is Nayeon (Im Na-yeon)?
Nayeon is both the face and the official center member of the group TWICE. The artist, whose real name is Im Na-yeon, was born on September 22, 1995, in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Before TWICE's debut, Nayeon was one of the standout trainees at JYP Entertainment. She secretly participated in an audition in 2010, won, and joined the company, undergoing a rigorous training process that lasted approximately five years.
After TWICE was formed through the 2015 program “Sixteen,” Nayeon was one of the first members to be revealed and immediately captured fans' attention. Her stage energy, captivating smile, and natural stage presence played a significant role in TWICE's international success. The name “Nayeon” has become a brand recognized not only among K-pop fans but also in the global music industry.
Billboard Success with Solo Debut
Nayeon is the first member of TWICE to release a solo album. Her mini album, IM NAYEON, released in June 2022, ranked 7th on the Billboard 200 chart. This achievement was a historic moment for a female K-pop solo artist. The title song of the album, “POP!”, went viral on TikTok and became a dance trend among hundreds of thousands of users.
Bunny Nayeon: Stage Personality and Mascot
Known among her fans as “Bunny Nayeon,” the artist earned this nickname due to her rabbit-like teeth and energetic demeanor. JYP Entertainment capitalized on this identity, incorporating rabbit figures into album concepts and stage accessories. This image was particularly central during the “POP!” promotional period.
Dior Brand Ambassador
In 2023, Nayeon was announced as the official ambassador for Dior Beauty Korea. This collaboration was a broad agreement that included not only cosmetics but also fashion campaigns. The main factor in the luxury brand's choice of Nayeon was her iconic image, which is both elegant and appeals to a young audience.
Opening Act for TWICE Concerts
Nayeon often opens TWICE's world tours. Her charisma and ability to quickly connect with the audience create an impressive atmosphere as the group takes its first steps on stage. Nayeon's role has almost become an unwritten rule.
Known for her backwards handwriting
One of the details frequently discussed among fans is that Nayeon writes some letters in her handwriting at an angle to the left and in an unusual manner. This tendency has been observed in the messages she writes during autograph sessions. According to her own statement, this is an unconscious habit that has continued since childhood.
Food Allergies and Health Discipline
Nayeon is known to have a sensitivity to seafood. She can have allergic reactions to shrimp and oysters in particular. For this reason, her diet is carefully planned, and health checks are a top priority when she is working intensively.
Difficulties with Facial Recognition Technology
In 2022, fans noticed that Nayeon was not recognized by facial recognition systems at some airports. The fact that the system failed to recognize her when she wore glasses or changed her hairstyle went viral on social media. This showed that Nayeon's facial structure is more “variable” than previously thought.
Secret Debut: Appeared in a Miss A Commercial
Long before TWICE's debut, Nayeon had already appeared in front of cameras in the K-pop world. In 2010, she was seen as an extra in the background of JYP's then-current group Miss A's “Love Again” commercial. This was her first official on-camera experience before debuting, and many fans only noticed it years later.
TWICE Member with the Longest Trainee Period
Nayeon is the TWICE member who spent the longest time as a trainee. She underwent professional training for approximately five years under JYP Entertainment. During this period, she received training in vocals, dance, acting, and stage presence. Throughout her training, she was nearly included in a different group on several occasions.
She Almost Joined a Different JYP Group
Before debuting with TWICE, Nayeon was a potential member of a girl group that JYP was planning at the time but never materialized. She trained for the group, participated in audition recordings, and even made a demo recording. When the project was shelved, she was redirected to the “Sixteen” program.
Mood Interpretations Based on Hair Color
Fans have observed that Nayeon's mood seems to align with her hair color. During periods when she dyed her hair pastel tones, she produced softer and more cheerful content, while when she switched to darker shades, she adopted a more serious and charismatic demeanor. This phenomenon sparked lengthy discussions on fan forums.
Rarely Seen with Her Sister
Although it is known that Nayeon has a younger sister, her sister has rarely appeared in public. Due to her emphasis on family privacy, she has not shared a single photo with her sister on social media. This is seen as a reflection of her desire to protect her family from the public eye.
Handwritten Fan Letters Are Sought After
Nayeon's handwritten letters are one of the rare gifts given at fan meetings. Cards written in Nayeon's original handwriting are highly valued among collectors, and some are sold for high prices at online auctions.
Takes the Lead in Special Choreographies
Although she is not the official dance leader of TWICE, Nayeon often takes an active role in planning special choreography sections during stage rehearsals. She is known to use her experience to guide the arrangements, paying close attention to the effect of camera angles. This is one of her contributions that enhances the group's overall performance.
Voted the Most Popular TWICE Member in Japan
In various fan polls in Japan, Nayeon frequently ranks first. Especially during the “Fancy” and “Feel Special” periods, her stage style and energetic personality made her a favorite among Japanese fans. JYP also recognized this popularity and gave Nayeon more stage time in promotions in Japan.
She Underwent Ankle Surgery as a Child
Nayeon suffered a serious traffic accident during her childhood, which resulted in an ankle injury. As a result, she had to avoid basketball and similar sports activities for an extended period. However, this physical limitation led her to work more diligently in her dance training. She began wearing special shoes for dance practice due to this reason.
She Wore Braces During the “Heart Shaker” Period
Nayeon wore invisible (clear) braces on her lower teeth during the “Heart Shaker” promotional period. Although it was not noticeable due to the stage lights and camera angles, some fans caught this detail. Nayeon managed to keep smiling throughout this period and did not neglect her dental health, which stood out as an example of her discipline.
Camera Nerves Never Went Away
Despite being one of TWICE’s most experienced and stage-savvy members, Nayeon has admitted to feeling noticeable stress during some live broadcasts and award ceremonies. In particular, her hands were seen trembling when her name was announced during individual award ceremonies. Despite her professional demeanor, this vulnerability has only made her more beloved by her fans.
TWICE's First Viral Moment: The “Cheer Up” Smile
Nayeon's iconic “Shy Shy Shy” moment in front of the camera during TWICE's 2016 debut with “Cheer Up” went viral in South Korea. It was repeated in countless parodies, commercials, and social media posts. The scene dramatically increased the group's momentum, and the phrase “Shy Shy Shy” became synonymous with Nayeon.
Extremely Sensitive to Animals
Despite her love for pets, Nayeon has an overly emotional reaction when she sees small dogs in particular. She has volunteered for animal shelter campaigns and has been seen struggling to hold back tears in some promotional videos. Sick or abandoned animals are one of her emotional triggers.
Practices in the Dark Instead of in Front of a Mirror
When learning complex dance transitions, Nayeon prefers to practice without looking in the mirror, even in dim lighting. She believes this method enhances her “muscle memory” on stage and reduces visual dependency. This unique practice method is seen as one of the techniques that allows her to appear more free on stage.
The Most Consistent Member in TWICE's Vocal Roles
Throughout every phase of the group, Nayeon has appeared in the intro or chorus of almost every title track. This not only highlights her vocal tone but also shows that the music company prefers her voice to connect with listeners. Nayeon's vocal tone has become a defining factor in TWICE's musical identity.
Struggling with a Demanding Sleep Schedule
During busy promotional periods, Nayeon has had days where she only slept 3-4 hours. Especially during her solo promotional period, it was reported that she didn't sleep at all on some days in order to make it to morning shoots and evening broadcasts. Despite this, her ability to maintain her energetic appearance on stage earned her great admiration from fans.
Strategic Use for TWICE's Brand Value
JYP Entertainment positions Nayeon as the “first point of contact” for the brand when marketing TWICE. Placing Nayeon prominently in album covers, posters, magazine shoots, and social media visuals is a deliberate strategy. According to the company’s research, using Nayeon visually increases engagement rates by over 20%.
Her Favorite Color Changes Frequently
Nayeon's answer to the frequently asked question “What is your favorite color?” has changed constantly over the years. She once said pink was her favorite color, but later stated that she had grown tired of it, calling it “too simple.” These ups and downs in her preferences reflect her personality changes and creative moods.
Didn't Attend University, But Invested in Her Education
After debuting with TWICE, Nayeon chose not to attend a full-time university. However, this does not mean she abandoned her education entirely. She took private language lessons, voice therapy, and media communication courses. She also participated in in-house mentoring programs. This choice demonstrates her effort to balance her busy performance schedule with academic growth.
There’s a Section Where She Was Removed from Choreography at Her Own Request
During the choreography for the 2020 music video “More & More,” doctors recommended that Nayeon be removed from certain movements due to discomfort in her knee. However, this decision was not only for health reasons but also for aesthetic balance. To ensure that the dance was not “ruined” during camera shots, she completed some parts using only facial expressions.
The First Member to Send Messages with Nail Polish
Nayeon, who experiments with unconventional ways of interacting with fans, once drew letters and small symbols on her nails to convey secret messages during performances. For example, during a comeback stage, the letters “ONCE” were written on her nails. This subtle detail sparked a buzz on social media and sparked a trend of fans trying to decipher the message.
Drawing When Alone
One of the most noticeable things Nayeon does to relax when she’s alone between her busy schedule is draw characters in her notebook. They are usually cute animals or humorous depictions of her group members in a cartoon style. She has even given away some of these drawings as gifts at fan meetings.
She Was the CEO’s Favorite
Park Jin-young (JYP CEO) referred to Nayeon as “the company's light.” He highlighted her stage presence and character as an example for other trainees. This high expectation made it necessary for Nayeon to cope with pressure and take on leadership roles. Although she is not the official leader of TWICE, this trust has given her many responsibilities.
Her Instagram Account Before Debut Is Still Active
It is believed that Nayeon had a secret Instagram account with a small number of followers that she used personally before TWICE debuted. This account is no longer active, but some former followers still keep the intimate photos she shared there in their archives. This shows that she led a simpler and more approachable life before her debut.
Incredibly Quiet Behind the Camera
While Nayeon is energetic and lively on stage, she is the complete opposite behind the camera—quiet and observant. Group members have mentioned that she sometimes spends hours without speaking to anyone, simply listening and observing her surroundings. This aspect of her personality creates an interesting contrast with her “loud” stage persona.
Criticized Her Own Vocals in “POP!”
During the studio recordings for her solo debut song “POP!,” Nayeon insisted on re-recording some vocal parts. She felt her voice was too “soft” and didn't convey the energetic image she wanted. Despite the producer's insistence, the original version was used, but this incident highlights how detail-oriented she is.
Very Few Performances She Has Called “Finished”
Throughout her TWICE career, the number of performances she has referred to as “finished” or ‘complete’ is almost nonexistent. In interviews, she often reflects on past performances, saying, “It could have been better,” demonstrating that she never takes the stage automatically and always takes responsibility for her performance.