Global K-Pop powerhouse TWICE is celebrating a monumental milestone: their 10th anniversary. In a recent interview with AP News, the nine-member group reflected on their incredible journey, the release of their special anniversary album, TEN: The Story Goes On, and their surprising involvement in the Oscar-nominated Netflix blockbuster, KPop Demon Hunters.
A Decade of Dominance: ‘TEN: The Story Goes On’
Marking ten years in the industry, TWICE released TEN: The Story Goes On, an album that serves as a heartfelt gift to their fans, known as ONCE. For the first time in their career, the album features solo tracks from all nine members: Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu. This personal project showcases their individual artistic colors, venturing into diverse genres far beyond their signature bubblegum pop. From the country-infused “Fix a Drink” to “Chess,” which cleverly samples Beethoven’s “Für Elise,” the album is a testament to their musical evolution and versatility.
From Stage to Screen: TWICE Enters the World of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’
The group also made a significant mark on the silver screen, contributing to the soundtrack of Netflix’s most-watched film of all time, KPop Demon Hunters. The movie, a massive critical and commercial success, is currently nominated for two Academy Awards. TWICE lent their voices to the powerful track “Takedown” and the energetic “Strategy,” which were featured on the film’s record-breaking soundtrack. Jeongyeon noted that recording the powerful song “Takedown” brought back memories of her trainee days, a departure from TWICE’s typically bright and refreshing vocal style.
Reflections on a Decade of Success
When asked about their definition of success after ten years, leader Jihyo humbly shared, “We’ve worked incredibly hard for the past 10 years… if the fact that many people have listened to our music, loved it, and felt encouraged by it constitutes success, then perhaps we have achieved success. However, I still think there’s so much more we can do.” This sentiment of continuous growth is echoed by the members. Jeongyeon reflected on her vocal journey, stating, “Ten years ago, my voice was one that was trying very hard to sound good, but now I’m recording with the mindset of singing in my natural voice, just being myself.”
What’s Next for TWICE?
Even after a decade, TWICE shows no signs of slowing down. The members are focused on their future, with Momo expressing their collective goal: “to meet our fans for a long, long time, perform together, try new things, and continue to connect with our fans for many years to come.” They continue to engage with fans through their ‘THIS IS FOR’ World Tour while also exploring individual and subunit activities, such as the MiSaMo unit (Momo, Sana, and Mina) and Dahyun’s burgeoning acting career, proving that the story of TWICE, indeed, goes on.
