What is Love? & Movie Parodies

Lore & Background

The 'What is Love?' era is a fan-favorite for its ambitious, movie-inspired storytelling. Each member portrayed a character from a different film, including 'La La Land,' 'The Princess Diaries,' 'Romeo + Juliet,' and more, creating a series of interconnected short films that explored love through various cinematic lenses. The title track's lyrics, written by J.Y. Park, capture the innocence and confusion of young love, asking a question that resonates universally. The music video became a viral sensation for its clever homages and the members' charismatic performances, cementing Twice's reputation for creative concepts.

In Their Own Story

In a world where love is a mystery, nine friends gather in a cozy cinema, each lost in a different film. Nayeon dances under a starry sky, dreaming of a jazz-filled romance. Jeongyeon, in a royal gown, learns to stand tall. Momo and Sana share a forbidden kiss in a neon-lit city. Jihyo, as a princess, finds her voice. Mina, a ballerina, spins through a moonlit lake. Dahyun and Chaeyoung, as detectives, chase clues of the heart. Tzuyu, a warrior, fights for her kingdom. As the credits roll, they realize: love is not a movie—it's the laughter, tears, and moments they share together.

Reader's Guide

The 'What is Love?' era is built around a series of movie parody music videos that serve as narrative vignettes. The throughline is the group's collective exploration of love, each member embodying a different film genre. Key turning points include the release of the 'What is Love?' MV, which introduced the concept, followed by the 'Dance the Night Away' summer comeback that shifted to a lighter, beach-party theme. The era connects to the larger arc of Twice's growth, showing their evolution from cute concepts to more mature storytelling. <Spoiler for later seasons: The 'What is Love?' era also set the stage for the 'Feel Special' era, which deepened themes of self-worth and support among the members.>

Did You Know?

• The 'What is Love?' music video features homages to at least nine different films, including 'The Princess Diaries,' 'La La Land,' and 'Romeo + Juliet.'
• The title track was written by J.Y. Park, who was inspired by the members' own questions about love during their trainee days.
• The choreography for 'What is Love?' includes a signature 'heart' formation that fans often recreate at concerts.
• The album's concept photos were styled to reflect each member's assigned movie character, with props and outfits sourced from film references.