Twice Talk Prioritizing Mental Health and Playing Stadiums

Being a member of a nine-person Ok-pop group is difficult work. Along with the limitless hours of vocal and dancing prep, touring, 12-hour press days and the pains of staying wholesome on the street, there’s additionally the psychological toll of being within the international highlight 24/7.

“It was our recognition that on the finish of the day, that is our job,” TWICE‘s Jihyo instructed the At present Present throughout an interview on Friday (Feb. 23) that additionally included two in-studio performances. “It’s what we do for a residing. However I do know that I can not reside the remainder of my life solely as Jihyo from TWICE, so I needed to discover ways to handle myself mentally and bodily … and when to cease after I have to. I believe my well being and my good power is proven very frankly to our followers. Our followers see that. So caring for myself is a part of my job, too.”

That’s the reason member Mina took a psychological well being break in 2019, with Jeongyeon doing the identical in 2020 and 2021, unafraid that the pause may create the form of unfavourable response from followers that an earlier era of idols nervous about. “We talked lots amongst ourselves and we additionally talked with our administration. All of that helped us individually and as a gaggle to deal with no matter is occurring,” Chaeyoung stated.

“It meant the world to me when the women addressed why they have been taking a break,” Tara, a faithful Korean American fan who was in highschool on the time instructed the morning present. “My mother and father didn’t take my despair significantly and instructed me to eat one thing scrumptious and get extra sleep. I felt very remoted and alone. However seeing idols like Mina telling us that they want relaxation, too, made me really feel like I used to be seen.” 

The band additionally that includes members Nayeon, Momo, Sana, Dahyun and Tzuyu, launched their thirteenth mini-album, YOU-th, on Friday, fronted by their third English-language single, “I Received You.”

TWICE will play a one-off present at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on March 16, which housed Tremendous Bowl LVIII earlier this month. “It would appear to be we began off actually large, however we did a number of small stage performances once we began out,” Momo stated. “It was solely final yr that we did our first stadium live performance. So all of this has been nerve-wracking for us.” Final yr they grew to become the primary feminine Ok-pop group to headline NFL and MLB stadiums within the U.S. after they carried out at SoFi Stadium in L.A. and MetLife Stadium in New York to sold-out crowds of fifty,000 followers.

And since they know that not all their devoted followers, who’re referred to as As soon as, can get tickets to each present, the group tries to maintain visiting new locations. “With each tour, we actually attempt to go to as many locations as attainable,” stated Sana. “That’s why we went to Europe for the primary time final yr, and that’s why we’re doing one other live performance in Las Vegas this yr.” Mina famous that they may even be the primary Ok-pop lady group to play Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan on July 27-28.

“We all the time attempt to go to extra nations with every tour,” Sana added. “If there are locations that we haven’t visited but however you need us to come back there, please tell us. We are going to discuss to the administration and we’ll (attempt to) make it occur!”

Of their ninth yr within the group, the members who vary in age from 24-28 additionally talked with pleasure about representing numerous backgrounds, with three South Korean members (Chaeyoung, Dahyun, Jeongyeon, Jihyo, Nayeon), three Japanese performers (Mina, Momo, Sana) and one Taiwanese consultant (Tzuyu). 

“I’m so grateful for the range in our group,” Nayeon instructed At present. “If it wasn’t for TWICE, I don’t assume I’d’ve had the chance to watch different cultures so carefully or have developed as a lot of an curiosity in them. Due to the publicity that we received to different cultures so early on, I believe that enabled us to speak with ONCE higher once we meet international followers. The communication is deeper due to our understanding of different cultures.”