The Birth of Twice

Lore & Background

The Birth of Twice unfolds during a high-stakes survival competition where sixteen talented trainees compete for a spot in a new girl group. The arc focuses on the emotional journey of the eventual nine members—Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu—as they navigate grueling challenges, personal doubts, and fierce rivalries. Each episode highlights their individual strengths, vulnerabilities, and the bonds that slowly form despite the pressure.

In Their Own Story

The dim practice room buzzed with tension as the sixteen trainees gathered for the first mission. Nayeon's hands trembled, but she forced a smile, remembering her seven years of waiting. Across the room, Momo struggled to hold back tears after a misstep during her dance break, while Jihyo, the longest-trained trainee at ten years, clenched her fists in quiet determination. The judges' gazes were unreadable, and the clock ticked down. In that moment, none of them knew that their fates were weaving together into a tapestry of nine—a birth that would echo across the world.

Reader's Guide

The Birth of Twice arc follows the narrative beats of the survival show 'Sixteen,' where sixteen trainees compete for nine spots. The throughline is the transformation from rivals to a unified group, with key turning points including the first elimination (which shocked the trainees), the addition of Tzuyu as a surprise final member (expanding the original plan for a seven-member group), and the emotional finale where the nine are announced. This arc matters because it establishes each member's backstory and the group's core identity of resilience and teamwork. It connects to later seasons by seeding relationships and conflicts that evolve, such as the leadership dynamics (Jihyo becoming leader) and the group's struggle for recognition. Spoiler: Later seasons reveal how this survival experience shapes their bond through future hardships, like the 2018 contract renewal crisis, when the members chose to stay together.

Did You Know?

• The survival show 'Sixteen' was originally planned to debut a seven-member group, but the final lineup was expanded to nine due to fan votes and producer decisions.
• Momo was eliminated early in the show but was brought back as a last-minute addition, a twist that shocked both trainees and viewers.
• Tzuyu was only 16 years old during the competition, making her the youngest member, and her addition was controversial at the time.
• The name 'Twice' was chosen to symbolize that the group would touch fans' hearts once through their music and again through their performances.