Sana can command a stadium onstage and make her bandmates laugh moments later. That mix of performance confidence, humor, and warmth has made her one of TWICE’s most recognizable members.
That kind of presence does not happen by accident. Fans searching for TWICE Sana often want to know more than her age or nationality.
She built a career on warmth, comic timing, and a quiet confidence that keeps millions coming back for more. Her energy feels natural, never forced, and that authenticity is exactly why so many people love her.
This blog covers Sana’s early life, TWICE career, MISAMO work, songwriting, famous moments, and current projects.
Who Is Sana From TWICE?
Sana, whose full name is Minatozaki Sana, is a Japanese singer and performer known as a member of the K-pop group TWICE.
She moved to South Korea as a teenager to train under JYP Entertainment, where she learned to sing, dance, and perform on stage.
Her hard work paid off, and she earned a spot in TWICE’s final lineup. Within the group, she serves as a sub-vocalist and is also known as one of its visuals.
Beyond singing, Sana has tried her hand at songwriting and even stepped into acting roles. Fans adore her bright energy and warm personality both on stage and off-screen.
TWICE Sana Profile at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Stage name | Sana |
| Full name | Minatozaki Sana |
| Birthday | December 29, 1996 |
| Age | 29 |
| Height | 168 cm (5’6”) |
| Birthplace | Osaka, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Zodiac sign | Capricorn |
| Group | TWICE |
| Subunit | MiSaMo |
| Profession | Singer, performer, and actress |
| Agency | JYP Entertainment |
Twice Sana Early Life
Source- IMDb
Sana grew up dreaming of becoming a singer and dancer. She began training at EXPG (Exile Professional Gym), a well-known dance and vocal studio in Osaka, starting in sixth grade in 2009.
Over the next few years, she built a strong foundation in both dance and vocals, spending close to three years honing her craft at the studio’s Osaka branch.
Her early dedication to performing gave her real, stage-ready skills long before she ever crossed paths with a talent scout
Sana’s Pre-Debut Journey
Source- Youtube
Sana’s path to TWICE wasn’t easy, but each step brought her closer to her dream. Here’s a quick look at her journey before debut.
- Scouting: While shopping in Osaka, a JYP scout noticed Sana and changed her life forever.
- Moving: She left Japan in 2012 to train in South Korea, taking on a new language and culture.
- Training: Sana trained hard with JYP for nearly three years to build her skills.
- Sixteen: She competed on Sixteen and earned her spot as one of TWICE’s nine members.
How Did Sana Learn Korean as a Trainee?
Sana had trouble communicating when she first moved to South Korea. In an official 2WICE’s DATE interview with Chaeyoung, she recalled that she did not know how to answer basic questions such as “How are you?” or “Did you eat?”
Since Sana is naturally talkative, the language gap was frustrating for her. She worked on her Korean by reading signs aloud while walking and recording her voice so she could check her pronunciation.
Sana explained that Chaeyoung’s way of speaking was different from what she learned, so listening to her helped her become familiar with natural Korean speech.
Her practice paid off. Sana now speaks Korean comfortably during interviews, programs, and group activities.
Fans sometimes call her “Kim Sana,” an informal nickname that refers to how natural her Korean can sound.
What Is Sana’s Role in TWICE?
Source- Youtube
Sana does more than just perform on stage. She adds real value to TWICE in a few key ways.
- Sub-vocalist: Her smooth, gentle voice adds depth to TWICE’s sound.
- Lyricist: She has written lyrics for songs like “Shot Thru the Heart” and “Celebrate.”
- Visual: Sana is known for her striking looks and stands out as one of the group’s visuals.
- Actress: She has also stepped into acting, expanding her career beyond music.
Is Sana Part of MISAMO?
Yes. Sana is a member of MISAMO, TWICE’s first official subunit. The unit also includes Mina and Momo, the group’s other two Japanese members.
The name MISAMO combines parts of Mina, Sana, and Momo’s names.
The trio made its Japanese debut in July 2023 with the EP Masterpiece. The project gave the three members more space to explore music and performances separate from TWICE’s full nine-member releases.
Sana also received a lyric-writing credit on “Rewind You,” one of the songs from Masterpiece. MISAMO later continued its activities with additional Japanese releases, including Haute Couture in 2024.
Which Songs Has Sana Helped Write?
Sana has received lyric-writing credits on several TWICE and MISAMO songs. Her credits show that her work with the groups is not limited to performing vocals and choreography. (KoMCA)
- “Shot Thru the Heart” – Co-written with fellow Japanese members Momo and Mina.
- “Turn It Up” – Credited as a co-writer on this track.
- “21:29” – Contributed to the lyrics alongside all TWICE members.
- “Do What We Like” – Contributed to the lyrics alongside other credited writers.
- “Conversation” – Listed as one of the song’s writers.
- “Celebrate” – Co-written with all TWICE members and J.Y. Park.
- “Rewind You” – Written for MISAMO’s debut mini-album, Masterpiece.
- “Mirage” – Contributed to the lyrics for this track off TWICE’s album Haute Couture.
- “Me+You” – Co-written for TWICE’s album Ten: The Story Goes On.
Sana’s Music and Career Highlights
Sana has built a career that stretches beyond just singing with TWICE. From solo projects to acting, her career highlights show steady growth over the years.
| Year | Highlight |
|---|---|
|
2015 |
Debuted with TWICE through the mini album The Story Begins and title track “Like Ooh-Ahh” |
|
2021 |
Released her first solo single, a cover of “Sotsugyou” by Kobukuro, through Warner Music Japan |
|
2021 |
Released a duet version of “Sotsugyou” together with Kobukuro |
|
2021 |
Published her photobook, “Yes, I am Sana,” in April |
|
2023 |
Debuted in TWICE’s subunit MiSaMo alongside Momo and Mina with the mini album Masterpiece |
|
2026 |
Set to make her acting debut in an upcoming film alongside Takeru Satoh |
Sana’s Acting & Screen Milestones
Sana has stepped in front of the camera many times over the years, from small cameos to her very first acting role. Here’s a look at her journey on screen.
- 2014 – GOT7 “A” MV: Sana played a waitress in this early music video cameo, years before her TWICE debut.
- 2014 – Junho’s “Feel” MV: She also appeared in this Japanese single by labelmate Junho.
- 2023–2025 – TV Host: Sana hosted Sana’s Fridge Interview on YouTube. Her first episode hit over 10 million views.
- 2025 – Daesung’s “Hando-Chogua” MV: She appeared in this music video by BIGBANG’s Daesung.
- 2026 – Acting Debut: Sana will star in the film Nyangi, playing a cat who turns human. It’s her first-ever acting role, 11 years after her TWICE debut.
Why Is Sana’s “Shy Shy Shy” Line Famous?
Source – X
The phrase “shy, shy, shy” became a widely copied catchphrase among fans, entertainers, and other K-pop performers from TWICE’s 2016 hit “Cheer Up.”
Sana’s playful delivery quickly became one of the song’s most recognizable parts. Fans often imitated the pronunciation as “sha sha sha,” and the moment spread through fan videos, television appearances, and other K-pop performances.
The phrase became closely associated with Sana and helped increase her individual recognition during TWICE’s early years.
Even years later, “Shy Shy Shy” remains one of the moments fans commonly connect with her.
Sana’s Brand Ambassadorships
Source- Youtube
Sana has become a sought-after face for major fashion and beauty brands worldwide. Her global appeal has made her a trusted ambassador across skincare, cosmetics, and luxury fashion.
| Brand | Category | Year Appointed |
|---|---|---|
| Missha | Skincare | 2023 |
| Espoir | Makeup | 2023 |
| Graff | Luxury Jewelry | 2023 |
| Prada | Luxury Fashion | 2023 |
| YSL Beauty | Cosmetics | 2023 |
| Ralph Lauren (Japan) | Fashion | 2024 |
Where Can You Follow Sana Online?
Fans looking for Sana’s current photos, music announcements, appearances, and official updates should rely on verified accounts connected to Sana, TWICE, and JYP Entertainment.
- Sana’s Instagram: @m.by__sana
- TWICE’s Instagram: @twicetagram
- TWICE’s X account: @JYPETWICE
- TWICE’s YouTube: Official TWICE channel
- Official website: twice.jype.com
The Bottom
More than a decade after TWICE’s debut, Sana’s career now includes group music, MISAMO releases, songwriting, international performances, and acting.
Her path from a teenage trainee in Osaka to an internationally recognized performer shows how much her career has grown since she joined JYP Entertainment.
While moments such as “Shy Shy Shy” helped introduce Sana to a wider audience, her lasting popularity comes from years of music, performance, humor, and interaction with fans.
For current news about Sana, fans should rely on JYP Entertainment, TWICE’s official channels, and her verified social media accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sana from TWICE in a relationship?
As of 2026, Sana has no confirmed relationship, and JYP Entertainment hasn’t announced one.
Does Sana from TWICE speak English?
Yes, though it isn’t her strongest language, and she’s grown more confident using it over time.
Did Nayeon and Sana kiss?
Yes, they shared an accidental on-stage kiss during TWICE’s 9th anniversary fan meeting in October 2024.
