MINA

MINA is an American singer and dancer. She is famous for her elegant dance style and captivating stage presence as a member of the globally popular K-pop group TWICE and its sub-unit MiSaMo. Having achieved massive success, including numerous awards and record-breaking sales, Mina continues to be a prominent figure in the music industry. She is currently active with TWICE, exploring solo endeavors like modeling and endorsements that often draw on her extensive ballet background. What makes Mina distinctive is her unique blend of grace, poise, and quiet determination, cultivated through years of dedicated training. Fans connect with her authenticity and the elegant way she navigates her career, viewing her as an inspiring artist who balances intense professional demands with personal poise.[edit]

Mina Sharon Myoi was born on March 24, 1997, in San Antonio, Texas, USA. Her early years were marked by constant movement, as she spent her toddler days in Texas before her family relocated to Kobe, Japan, when she was young. Growing up as a child of Japanese parents in Kobe, Mina embraced a world that blended American roots with Japanese traditions, an early cultural immersion that would later shape her identity. Her childhood was active and artistic, centered around dance. From the tender age of three, she dedicated herself to classical ballet, training rigorously for eleven years with dreams of a professional stage career. This intense discipline, which she balanced with her studies at Obayashi Sacred Heart School before eventually leaving to pursue her entertainment career, profoundly shaped her physically and mentally, instilling the focus and grace that would become hallmarks of her performances.

As Mina entered her teens, her path took a sharp turn towards a new form of entertainment. While still training in classical ballet with professional aspirations, her perspective broadened dramatically when a friend introduced her to K-pop through a Girls' Generation cover. This discovery sparked a new passion, opening her eyes to the vibrant possibilities of the genre. To expand her dance repertoire beyond ballet, she also attended Urizip Dance School, where she began blending her classical roots with contemporary and modern styles. The pivotal moment arrived in 2013, when at 16 years old, a JYP Entertainment scout serendipitously noticed her while she was out shopping with her mother in Osaka. Mina aced the subsequent audition, leading her to move to South Korea in January 2014 to join the company's rigorous training program. Despite having just over a year and a half of preparation, the shortest among her future bandmates, she adapted swiftly to the intense routine. This demanding period tested her resolve but also included appearances in videos for labelmates like miss A and GOT7, providing valuable early exposure and building her confidence before her breakthrough. [edit]

Mina's professional journey kicked off with her appearance on the survival show Sixteen in 2015, where she secured a spot in TWICE by finishing fourth. The group debuted that October with their EP The Story Begins and the hit single Like OOH-AHH, introducing Mina as the main dancer and sub-vocalist. Her ballet-honed grace quickly became a signature, setting her apart in TWICE's energetic performances and contributing to hits like Cheer Up in 2016.

Over the years, Mina has played a key role in TWICE's rise, with her precise dance moves and subtle presence adding depth to the group's dynamic. In 2023, she stepped into a new spotlight with the sub-unit MiSaMo, alongside members Momo and Sana, releasing their EP Masterpiece that July. This project highlighted her individual strengths in a smaller setting, blending her dance expertise with catchy tracks. While Mina hasn't pursued solo music or acting, her work in modeling and endorsements has kept her visible, often drawing on her elegant style. Through TWICE's global tours and albums like Ready to Be, she continues to connect with fans, her contributions helping the group maintain their popularity. [edit]

Mina is widely regarded as TWICE's 'Black Swan' for her elegant, ballet-influenced dance style and calm, reserved stage presence. Fans and media often describe her as graceful, thoughtful, and introverted, with a minimalist aesthetic that extends to her fashion choices—favoring clean lines, soft colors, and sophisticated silhouettes. Her social media voice is soft and appreciative, rarely posting personal content but engaging with ONCE (TWICE's fandom) through group channels. Fans celebrate her with 'Mina Day' on March 24, creating ballet-themed edits and appreciating her openness about mental health. Her 'penguin' nickname, derived from her slightly inward-pointing feet from ballet training, adds a touch of endearing quirkiness to her polished image. She is perceived as a quiet but powerful presence, often standing out in group performances through subtle, precise movements rather than overt charisma.[edit]

Within the collective fanbase known as ONCE, Mina commands a distinct reverence often framed by the monikers 'Queen' or 'Elegant Queen,' with her personal followers affectionately termed 'Myu.' This organized community frequently mobilizes for specific tributes, such as birthday billboards in Tokyo and Seoul, subway advertisements during MiSaMo promotions, and charity drives that reflect her public image of grace. While the group's official name remains ONCE, the individual devotion to Mina is characterized by campaigns celebrating her heritage and artistic growth, particularly following her 2023 debut with the sub-unit MiSaMo. Her quiet demeanor and signature 'heart eyes' foster a deep emotional connection, while recent narratives regarding her health struggles have only intensified the support she receives from fans who value her vulnerability.

Her standing in the global cultural landscape has solidified through consistent visibility across media channels, search patterns, and consumption metrics worldwide. Current assessments place her as the 55th most famous person in J-Pop / J-Rock, a position noted as a shift from the 49th rank in the previous cycle. These placements are recorded within the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, which track influence without detailing the underlying computational algorithms. The data reflects a sustained presence where her unique blend of ballet-influenced performance and reserved personality continues to generate significant attention.[edit]

Mina trained in classical ballet for 11 years beginning at age three, a background that defines her fluid movement style. She holds the record for the shortest training period among TWICE members, joining the agency after just over a year and a half. In 2019, she formally renounced her United States citizenship to align with Japanese nationality laws. Her MBTI type is ISTP, and she prefers solitary hobbies like reading and gaming. She was discovered by a JYP Entertainment scout while shopping with her mother in Osaka at age 16.

A central story in her lore involves the origin of the 'Penguin' nickname, initially a playful joke from her members regarding her waddling walk, which evolved into a symbol of her graceful dance style. Another pivotal moment occurred in 2020 when she publicly disclosed her struggles with anxiety and mental health, shifting her perception from an aloof icon to a relatable figure. Fans also recall her 2023 role in the MiSaMo debut, where she transitioned from a main dancer to a central vocalist, and the 2026 controversy surrounding a see-through stage outfit that sparked debate on K-pop aesthetics.[edit]

Mina comes from a close-knit family; her father, Akira Myoi, is a clinical professor at Osaka University Hospital, and she has an older brother named Kai. They supported her early interests in dance and her move to South Korea for training. Although she keeps details private, Mina often mentions how her family's encouragement shaped her path. She dropped out of high school to focus on her career, prioritizing her dreams over traditional education. [edit]

Mina is closely linked to her TWICE bandmates, including Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu, through shared performances and tours. She collaborates specifically with Momo and Sana in the MiSaMo sub-unit. Before fame, she appeared in videos with labelmates like miss A, GOT7, and Junho. Her family ties, especially with her father and brother, also play a role in her personal story. [edit]

Mina has maintained strict privacy regarding her personal romantic life. No confirmed public relationships have been reported or verified by credible entertainment outlets. She has not made any public statements about dating, engagement, or marriage. As of 2026, her relationship status remains unknown and private, which is common among K-pop idols during active career phases. [edit]

Heading into 2026, Mina's estimated net worth stands at $8 million, a figure derived from her earnings as a member of TWICE. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, this wealth accumulates primarily through album sales, concert tours, and merchandise tied to the group's activities, driven by TWICE's global popularity. She also benefits from endorsement deals, particularly those highlighting her ballet background, such as fashion and beauty campaigns that compensate her handsomely per appearance. Over recent years, her net worth has grown thanks to MiSaMo's 2023 debut and ongoing group projects, which have boosted her profile and opened more opportunities. While Mina does not have major business ventures listed, her financial growth reflects the typical path for K-pop idols, including performance fees and royalties from music streaming. Investments in endorsements and potential brand partnerships have added to her wealth, showing a gradual increase since TWICE's early days. This steady rise underscores how her talents in dance and performance continue to pay off in the industry.[edit]