Twice's Sana: The perfect blend of idol and fashion icon

While revealing a new side of herself through a recent pictorial, Sana cited her fellow members as the primary driving force behind her ability to remain a top-tier girl group member for so long. By prioritizing team cohesion and camaraderie over individual popularity, she offered a glimpse into the deep teamwork that has sustained Twice since their debut.

Sana recently appeared as the cover model for the October issue of the fashion magazine Arena Homme Plus. In the released photos, she moved beyond her signature image, expressing a multi-layered charm by pulling off contrasting moods for each concept. Shifting naturally from Twice's representative 'lovely' persona to a more mature and sophisticated atmosphere, she demonstrated the expressive range and star power accumulated throughout her career.

During the interview, she identified the group's unit debut as her most memorable challenge. "I think it might be the unit debut," Sana said. "Since 'MiSaMo' was the first time we debuted as a unit within the team, I was very curious to see how people would react."

'MiSaMo' is Twice's first official unit, consisting of three Japanese members: Sana, Mina, and Momo. The unit was significant as it allowed Twice to expand beyond full-group activities, diversifying the members' individual personalities and musical colors. By operating between the Japanese and Korean markets, the trio helped extend the group's global recognition into individual and unit-level competitiveness.

Sana noted that fan reactions provided immense strength during their unit activities. "Thanks to ONCE, we were able to perform on large stages and finish successfully," she said. "It was fun because fans appreciated that side of us and viewed us through a different lens than Twice."

Since their debut in 2015, Twice has established itself as a definitive K-pop girl group through a string of hits including 'Cheer Up', 'TT', 'Likey', and 'What is Love?'. The group is widely recognized for its ability to maintain individual member identities while preserving a unified group image—a key factor in their longevity. Sana's description of the unit activities as a 'challenge' reflects this effort to experiment with new identities upon a stable team foundation.

When asked what has allowed her to remain active so steadily years after her debut, the answer was unexpectedly simple: her members.

"The presence of the members is a huge source of strength," she said. "Since we all follow the same group schedules, if I am physically exhausted, the members are exhausted too. If I am having a hard time, they are too."

She added, "But when I see everyone working so hard and doing such a great job, it naturally makes me want to work hard as well. I often find strength just by looking at those around me."

This highlights how the longevity of veteran idol groups relies on more than just individual stamina or fame. For groups that share the same stages and schedules for years, the bond between members functions as an emotional safety net. Sana's explanation suggests that the energy of the collective acts as a catalyst to keep individual members moving forward during difficult times.

This dynamic is vital for Twice. In the idol industry, maintaining the explosive buzz of a debut period is difficult, especially as musical trends shift. Twice has successfully navigated this by expanding into units and solo activities, allowing members to evolve while protecting the group's core identity.

Sana has steadily expanded her own reach within the framework of Twice. While she is beloved for her bright and friendly stage persona, she has carved out a space in the fashion industry by presenting a more mature, sophisticated image. This latest pictorial focused on showcasing that versatility rather than being confined to a single concept.

Ultimately, the 'driving force' Sana describes is not built on individual stardom alone. It is the result of members enduring countless stages and international tours together, bolstered by the unwavering support of their fans.

As Twice approaches its 10th anniversary, Sana's emphasis on her members underscores the group's current state and future direction. It reveals a paradox where, as individual activities expand, the value of the 'Twice' community only becomes more distinct.