Tzuyu

Lore & Background

Tzuyu's path to TWICE began in the high-pressure world of JYP's trainee system, where she honed her dance for years before the camera lights of SIXTEEN. Fans who followed the show remember her not as the loudest contestant but as the one whose body told the most complete story in a single phrase of choreography. When the final lineup was announced, her inclusion was seen as a natural fit: TWICE needed a dancer who could make every move look effortless while still carrying undeniable power.

In the group's early years, Tzuyu's stage persona coalesced around a soft, almost dreamy quality. Fans dubbed her the group's 'cat' for the way her eyes narrowed with concentration, the slight tilt of her head, and the languid precision of her arm lines. This image became a recurring motif in fan art, fancams, and group content, and Tzuyu herself has leaned into it with playful, self-aware humor in interviews and variety segments.

Off-stage, Tzuyu is known for a quieter, more introspective side. She speaks less in group settings than some members, but when she does, her observations tend to be sharp and warm. Her relationship with her fellow members—particularly the close bonds she has formed over years of shared tours, recordings, and late-night practice rooms—has become a central thread in fan discussions about TWICE's internal chemistry. She represents the steady, grounding presence that balances the group's high-energy public persona.

In Their Own Story

The practice room is empty except for the hum of a ventilation fan and the blue glow of the mirror's edge. Tzuyu stands center, headphones around her neck, eyes closed. The beat drops. She doesn't rush into it—she waits for the first count, lets the silence stretch one beat longer than the track demands, and then her body unfolds like ink in water. Every hip roll, every wrist flick, carries the weight of a thousand repetitions. The studio glass fogs slightly with her breath. Somewhere down the hallway, a door opens and a teammate peeks in, grinning. Tzuyu doesn't break form. She finishes the phrase, tilts her head, and offers a small, tired smile. 'Again?' she asks. The answer is always yes.

Reader's Guide

Full name: Chu Tzuyu (주쯔위). Stage name: Tzuyu. Born May 9, 1999, in Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Position: Main dancer and supporting vocalist in TWICE. She is the dancer fans turn to first when a choreography needs a center moment, and her lines are clean, expressive, and technically precise without ever looking stiff.

Personality and in-group dynamics: Tzuyu is the group's gentle, observant presence. She tends to be quieter than members like Jihyo or Momo in group settings, but her warmth comes through in small gestures—a hand on a teammate's shoulder, a soft laugh at the right moment. She is often the one who notices when someone is having a rough day and quietly adjusts the room's energy. Her 'cat' persona is half self-aware joke, half genuine temperament: calm, a little aloof, but deeply affectionate once you're in her circle.

Notable moments: Her dance-center performances across TWICE's discography are a staple of fan-edited content. Her appearance on SIXTEEN gave fans a front-row look at her work ethic before the world knew her name. In variety and behind-the-scenes content, her dry, understated humor—delivered in a soft voice—often lands with surprising impact.

What makes her distinct: In a group known for bright, high-energy performances, Tzuyu is the contrast that makes the brightness shine. She is the pause between notes, the held breath before the drop, the quiet confidence that says the dance is already done in her mind before her feet touch the floor.

Did You Know?

• Tzuyu competed on JYP's survival show SIXTEEN in 2015 before TWICE's debut, giving fans an early look at her dance training and personality.
• She is from Taoyuan, Taiwan, and is one of the few members with a non-Korean cultural background, adding a multilingual dimension to the group's interactions.
• Her 'cat' image—narrowed eyes, languid movements, quiet intensity—became one of the most persistent and beloved motifs in TWICE fan art and fandom culture.
• Despite being the main dancer, Tzuyu is also a capable vocalist and has contributed backing vocals and harmonies across the group's recordings.