NAYEON

Im Na-yeon, better known as Nayeon, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and dancer born on September 22, 1995, in Gangdong District, Seoul. She is the eldest member, lead vocalist, center, and one of the lead dancers of the girl group TWICE under JYP Entertainment. Nayeon is celebrated for her vibrant energy, powerful yet melodic vocals, and infectious stage presence, which have made her a beloved figure in K-pop. With TWICE, she has contributed to the group's global success, which includes over 20 million album sales collectively. In 2022, she became the first TWICE member to debut solo with the EP IM NAYEON, showcasing her playful bubblegum-pop style and strong vocals. The title track "POP!" reached No. 2 on the Circle Digital Chart and earned her a music show win on SBS Inkigayo. She followed up with a second EP Na in 2024, featuring singles like "ABCD" with Julie of Kiss of Life and Sam Kim. Her solo work has won her the Best Female Artist award at the 2022 Mnet Asian Music Awards. Beyond music, Nayeon appears as an MC on variety shows, models for fashion and beauty brands, and engages with fans through her Instagram account @nayeonyny, which has approximately 12.4 million followers. She is known for her warm, relatable personality and her signature bunny-like smile, which has earned her nicknames like "Bunny Unnie" and "Nabongs." As of 2026, she continues to balance solo activities with TWICE commitments, releasing the Japanese single "気まぐれロマンティック" in 2025 and performing at festivals in Japan and Taiwan. Her journey from a child model to a top K-pop soloist reflects her determination and creativity, connecting deeply with audiences through upbeat tracks and heartfelt lyrics.[edit]

Nayeon grew up in Gangdong District, Seoul, in a Christian family. As a child, she entered modeling contests and was scouted by JYP Entertainment, but her mother initially refused the offer due to her young age. On September 15, 2010, at age 14, Nayeon secretly attended JYP's 7th open audition, performed Tiffany Young's "By Myself," passed, and began her trainee life. She attended Dunchon Elementary School, Seongdeok Girls' Middle School, and Apgujeong High School, where she ranked in the top ten academically. She later enrolled at Konkuk University. During her roughly five-year training period, she appeared in commercials, music videos (including GOT7's "Girls Girls Girls," miss A's "Only You," and Jun. K's "No Love"), and made a cameo in the 2012 drama Dream High 2. She was selected for a pre-debut girl group called 6Mix that never launched after two members left JYP. She also featured on the 2015 track "투유 프로젝트 - 슈가맨 Pt.11." Her big break came in 2015 on the Mnet survival show Sixteen, where she placed second overall, becoming the first member announced and confirmed for TWICE.[edit]

Nayeon debuted with TWICE on October 20, 2015, with the EP The Story Begins, quickly establishing herself as the group's "face" and lead vocalist. From 2015 to 2021, she was a central figure in multiple hit releases, frequently served as MC on variety shows and music programs, and ranked 6th most popular Korean idol in Gallup Korea polls in both 2017 and 2018. On June 24, 2022, she became the first TWICE member to debut solo with the EP IM NAYEON, led by the title track "POP!" The EP peaked at No. 1 on Billboard World Albums, and "POP!" reached No. 2 on the Circle Digital Chart. She secured her first solo music show win on SBS Inkigayo in July 2022 and won Best Female Artist at the MAMA Awards that year. In 2024, she released her second EP Na, featuring singles "ABCD" (with Julie of Kiss of Life and Sam Kim) and "저 너머로 (Beyond)." In 2025, she released the Japanese single "気まぐれロマンティック" and performed her first solo concert in Japan at Beat AX Vol.5, as well as headlining Taiwan's Kaohsiung Beer Rock Festival. She has collaborated with artists like Felix from Stray Kids. Her solo work highlights playful, bubblegum-pop and upbeat styles with self-written lyrics. She has expanded into variety hosting, modeling, and endorsements, significantly boosting her individual profile while remaining central to TWICE's global success.[edit]

Nayeon is widely perceived as the energetic and warm 'sunshine' eldest member of TWICE, known for her powerful yet melodic vocals and infectious stage presence. Her signature aesthetic blends cute 'bunny' charm with elegant, feminine fashion, often featuring sky blue (her representative color). Media and fans describe her as playful, relatable, and occasionally heartfelt, with a bright and cheerful social media voice on Instagram (@nayeonyny). Her official fandom name is ONCE, shared with TWICE, and fans celebrate her birthday ('Nayeon Day') with purple-themed events. She interacts with fans in a affectionate tone, maintaining a bubbly yet down-to-earth persona.[edit]

Nayeon commands a stage presence that transforms concert arenas into singular, pulsing ecosystems. Her transition from the group's energetic center to a solo powerhouse is marked by the massive success of her the 50th most famous person in J-Pop / J-Rock ranking, a position she currently holds in the iFANN Global Fame Rankings after shifting down from 49th last cycle. This placement reflects her unique ability to bridge K-pop fervor with broader Asian music markets while maintaining a distinct global footprint. Her fanbase, known officially as ONCE, operates with a level of organization that turns streaming numbers into chart-topping events and charity drives into viral movements. The bond between artist and audience is visible in the protective narratives fans construct around her; when Tzuyu faced a performance mishap at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, it was Nayeon who publicly stepped in to defend her, a moment that cemented the sisterhood lore within the fandom. This dynamic extends beyond music to high-fashion milestones, such as her historic runway walk alongside three other members in October 2025, an event that required only four idols to command the catwalk and sparked intense global discussion. Fans followed her journey through the conclusion of her largest-ever world tour, "THIS IS FOR," in July 2026, where her gratitude posts resonated deeply with the millions who turned out to support her. From the playful energy of her Instagram updates to the serious fashion statements made for brands like GROVE in April 2026, Nayeon maintains a connection that feels both intimate and monumental.[edit]

Im Na-yeon entered JYP Entertainment after secretly auditioning in 2010, eventually becoming the first member announced for TWICE following the survival show Sixteen. She is an avid badminton player and a devoted fan of artists including Oh My Girl, Taeyeon, f(x), and Krystal. Her signature smile, which features bunny-like teeth, has earned her affectionate nicknames like "Bunny Unnie," "Naso," and "Nabongs." A specific quirk defines her diet: she cannot eat most sushi varieties except salmon or chicken feet. When happy, she raises one arm in a signature gesture, and her MC skills have led fans to nickname her "MC Rail." She represents the color sky blue and shares the official fandom name ONCE with TWICE. Beyond these facts, two legendary moments define her public mythology. In June 2022, she broke barriers as the first TWICE member to debut solo with the EP Im Nayeon, launching the hit track "Pop!" which established her individual style while honoring the group's roots. Later, during the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, a story emerged where Nayeon and Jihyo immediately defended Tzuyu after a perceived performance error, reinforcing the group's protective sisterhood narrative. These verified events, combined with her 2026 modeling work for Victoria's Secret PINK, illustrate her evolution from a group member to a standalone global icon.[edit]

Nayeon grew up in Seoul with her parents and younger sister, Im Seo-yeon. The two sisters share a close bond, though Nayeon keeps family matters private. She often draws from personal experiences in her music, reflecting a grounded upbringing. Her cousin is Ji Yunseo of project boy group EVNNE.[edit]

Nayeon collaborates frequently with TWICE members like Jihyo and Chaeyoung. Her solo work includes partnerships with artists such as Wonstein, Felix from Stray Kids, Sam Kim, and Julie from Kiss of Life, plus her family ties to sister Im Seo-yeon. [edit]

Nayeon has never publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. Throughout her career with TWICE and as a solo artist, she has kept her personal life private, and no verified dating reports have emerged from credible sources. Unsubstantiated rumors occasionally circulate in fan communities but have not been corroborated by Nayeon, JYP Entertainment, or multiple reliable outlets. As of 2026, Nayeon remains single, with no known partners, engagements, marriages, or children.[edit]

Heading into 2026, iFANN currently estimates Nayeon's net worth at $10 million, a figure derived from her multifaceted career in music, endorsements, and live performances. Her wealth accumulates primarily through album sales from her successful solo EPs, including IM NAYEON and Na, which have consistently performed well on international charts. Revenue streams also include lucrative brand deals with major fashion and beauty companies, a standard yet significant income source for top-tier K-pop stars. Live performances across Japan and Taiwan contribute substantially to her earnings, complemented by streaming royalties from hits like "POP!" and "ABCD." Merchandise sales and exclusive fan events further bolster her financial portfolio. As a core member of TWICE, she benefits from profit-sharing on group tours, but her solo ventures have added a steady, independent stream of income. Investments in personal branding and appearances on variety shows have accelerated her financial growth since her 2022 solo debut. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, her path demonstrates how modern K-pop artists build wealth through a strategic mix of creative output and savvy commercial partnerships, ensuring steady progress in a highly competitive industry.[edit]

Nayeon has earned recognition for her solo work, including a win at the 2022 MAMA Awards for Best Female Artist with her EP IM NAYEON. This award highlights her strong debut as an individual artist. [edit]