TWICE’s Nayeon on Solo Debut, Songwriting, and Spoilers: Insights for Aspiring Music Creators

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As the eldest member of the global K-pop group TWICE, Im Nayeon embodies big sister energy: she's protective, loving, and playful. Her playful nature sometimes leads to spoilers, much to the amusement of her fans and fellow members. “Nooo!” Nayeon laughs, recalling a recent slip-up during a VLIVE session where she accidentally revealed pairings for the final episodes of TWICE’s vlog series, 2WICE Date.

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To TWICE’s fans (known as ONCE), these moments are pure entertainment. Nayeon’s biggest spoiler incident involved revealing Momo’s bob haircut before the release of “I Can’t Stop Me.” Despite her penchant for spoilers, she prefers being spoiled herself. “I actually look at spoilers before starting a movie or TV series,” she admits, emphasizing that she’d rather know than accidentally spoil something for others.

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New Beginnings with a Solo Debut

Nayeon is ready to reveal more of herself with her first solo EP, IM NAYEON. This project reintroduces her as a multi-faceted artist — bubbly, talented, and authentic. Her lead single “POP!” showcases grand K-pop production, luxurious music video sets, and a catchy hook, drawing inspiration from second-generation K-pop sounds she loves. Through this project, she transitions into a leader, main vocal, main dancer, and visual center, embracing her growth and creativity in music.

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“It’s a new beginning for both Nayeon and TWICE,” she says confidently. As TWICE approaches their seventh anniversary, Nayeon hopes her solo debut communicates a new stage in their careers. She wants fans to enjoy her new project as much as she did creating it, focusing on the joy rather than the stress of expectations.

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Journey to Solo Stardom

Nayeon’s path to TWICE began in 2010 with a secret audition at JYP Entertainment. She was initially supposed to debut with a pre-debut girl group but ended up competing in the survival music show SIXTEEN. This led to her debut with TWICE, where she quickly became known for her all-around talent and infectious stage presence.

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Her solo debut, IM NAYEON, features an impressive lineup of collaborations with artists like Felix of Stray Kids, Wonstein, LDN Noise, Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix, Destiny Rogers, and The Stereotypes. These collaborations highlight her versatility and gratitude for the talented individuals she worked with. “The collaborations are not one-directional; they work both ways,” she says, expressing her thankfulness.

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Embracing Challenges and Growth

Being the first member of TWICE to release a full solo album brought its own anxieties, especially in songwriting. “I couldn’t believe I was the first to go. I had a little pressure but a lot of worry,” she recalls. Despite the challenges, Nayeon finds joy and enthusiasm in exploring different styles and expressing herself through songwriting. “To be honest, up until now, the road in songwriting has not always been happy. But I keep holding on to that 30% of joy to find my way through.”

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Support from TWICE

Throughout her solo journey, Nayeon found support in her TWICE members. They helped her make important decisions and provided emotional backing. Letters from the members are included in her album packaging, filled with messages of pride and trust. “I started reading them but become overwhelmingly touched whenever I do,” she shares, valuing their support deeply.

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Looking Forward

Nayeon’s solo debut marks a significant milestone in her career. She’s grateful for the opportunity to showcase her individuality while appreciating the teamwork that TWICE embodies. Her journey reflects a commitment to growth, creativity, and a desire to make her fans proud.

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Final Thoughts

Nayeon’s story is an inspiration for aspiring music creators. Her journey emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges, finding joy in creativity, and valuing the support of a community. As she continues to grow and explore new avenues in music, she hopes to inspire others to realize their potential and push beyond limitations.

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Whether known as TWICE’s Center, MC Rail, Fake Maknae, Intro Queen, or Hot Girl Im Nayeon, she remains committed to her artistry and her fans. Nayeon has a lot more to offer and, of course, more to spoil.

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So, can she spoil Chaeyoung’s outfit for the “POP!” TikTok dance challenge? “Not yet,” she says, laughing. But she’s always open to recommendations.

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