How Old Was Sana When She Debuted | TWICE

Sana Minatozaki is one of the most beloved members of TWICE, the globally recognized South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment. Many fans often wonder how old was sana when she debuted and what her journey looked like before she stepped onto the stage. Sana officially debuted on October 20, 2015, at the age of 18, as part of TWICE’s first mini album “The Story Begins.” Her path to stardom was filled with years of hard work, training, and determination that started long before her debut day.

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Early Life of Sana Minatozaki in Osaka Japan

Sana Minatozaki was born on December 29, 1996, in Tennōji-ku, Osaka, Japan. She grew up as the only child of her parents, which made her both independent and deeply connected to her family. From a very young age, Sana showed a natural love for performing arts, music, and dance. Her personality was always cheerful, optimistic, and full of energy, traits that would later make her one of the most popular K-pop idols in the world.

Growing up in Osaka, Sana was deeply inspired by the rising popularity of Korean pop music. She became a fan of Girls’ Generation and KARA, two groups that had a massive following in Japan during the late 2000s. This love for K-pop planted the seed that would eventually change the direction of her life entirely.

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EXPG Training and the Beginning of Her Passion

In 2009, when Sana was just 12 years old, she began attending the EXPG branch in Osaka, which stands for Exile Professional Gym. This was a highly respected vocal and dance studio known for training some of Japan’s most talented performers, including members of E-girls, Generations, and The Rampage. Sana attended EXPG from 2009 to early 2012, where she developed her skills in dancing and singing seriously.

During this period, her passion for performing grew stronger every single day. She had initially planned to build a career as a singer in Japan. However, her exposure to K-pop through groups like Girls’ Generation made her dream bigger. Little did she know that a chance encounter at a shopping mall would completely change her life.

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How JYP Entertainment Discovered Sana at Age 14

One of the most fascinating parts of Sana’s story is how she was discovered. At 14 years old, during her last year of middle school, Sana was out shopping with her friends at the Osaka Namba Walk, a popular underground shopping street. A scout from JYP Entertainment happened to spot her there and immediately saw her potential.

The scout invited Sana to participate in the 2011 JYP Japan Audition, which was held in Osaka and Tokyo on November 19 and 25. At the audition, Sana performed the choreography of Girls’ Generation’s iconic song “Mr. Taxi.” Her performance was impressive enough to pass the audition, marking the beginning of a completely new chapter in her life.

This discovery at such a young age shows just how naturally gifted Sana was. Being scouted while casually shopping with friends is the kind of story that sounds unreal, but for Sana Minatozaki, it became the turning point that led her toward global fame.

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Moving to South Korea and Starting Trainee Life

After passing the JYP audition, Sana graduated from middle school in March 2012 and moved to South Korea on April 13, 2012, to begin her official trainee period at JYP Entertainment. She made this move alongside Hirai Momo, who would later become her TWICE bandmate.

Starting trainee life in a foreign country at such a young age was not easy. Sana had to learn the Korean language, adapt to a completely different culture, and push herself physically and mentally every single day. She trained for more than three years before finally getting her chance to debut.

During her trainee years, Sana was almost part of two different groups before TWICE. She was planned as one of the members of a four-person Japanese girl group, but that project was cancelled due to political tensions between South Korea and Japan. Later, she was set to debut with a group called 6MIX, but that debut was also cancelled following the tragic Sewol ferry disaster in 2014. Despite these setbacks, Sana never gave up.

Appearance in Music Videos Before Debut

Even before her official debut with TWICE, Sana was gaining public attention through her appearances in music videos. In 2014, she appeared in GOT7’s “A” music video and Lee Junho’s “Feel” music video. These appearances helped her build recognition among K-pop fans even before she had her own official debut.

These early collaborations showed that Sana had the screen presence and charisma needed to stand out in the highly competitive K-pop industry. Her ability to captivate audiences even in small appearances was a sign of the star she was about to become.

The Sixteen Survival Show and Joining TWICE

In 2015, Sana participated in Mnet’s reality survival show called Sixteen, which was created specifically to select the members for JYP Entertainment’s new girl group. Out of sixteen female trainees who competed on the show, only nine would make the final cut.

Sana stood out in the show for her strong performances in singing, dancing, and modeling. She demonstrated a charm that was hard to ignore and consistently impressed both the judges and the audience. At the end of the program, she was announced as one of the nine members chosen to form TWICE.

This was the moment that answered the question so many fans now ask: how old was sana when she debuted? She was 18 years old when she stood on that stage as an official member of TWICE, ready to begin her journey as a K-pop idol.

Official Debut with TWICE on October 20 2015

The Story Begins — TWICE’s First Mini Album

TWICE officially debuted on October 20, 2015, with their first mini album titled “The Story Begins.” The title track of this album was “Like Ooh-Ahh,” a song that immediately caught the attention of K-pop fans worldwide. Within five months of its release, the music video for “Like Ooh-Ahh” had been viewed 50 million times, making it the most viewed debut music video by a K-pop group at that time. The video later surpassed 100 million views as well.

Sana debuted as the sub vocalist of TWICE, a position that perfectly suited her sweet and expressive vocal style. Her individual color within the group was assigned as purple, and she quickly became known for her cheerful personality, her unique charm, and what fans lovingly call her aegyo, earning her the title of the Aegyo Queen of TWICE.

Sana’s Role and Position in TWICE

Within TWICE, Sana holds the position of sub vocalist. She brings a warm and expressive quality to the group’s sound that complements the other members perfectly. Beyond singing, Sana is also known for her dancing abilities and her natural ability to connect with audiences during performances and variety show appearances.

Her individual color of purple has become closely associated with her identity within the fandom, and her emoji within the group is the hamster, which fans find perfectly fitting given her cute and bubbly personality.

How Old Was Sana When She Debuted Compared to Other Members

When discussing how old was sana when she debuted, it is helpful to understand where she stood among her TWICE members. Sana debuted at 18 years old, which placed her in the middle range of the group in terms of age at debut. Some members were younger, while others were older when they first stepped onto the stage together.

What makes Sana’s debut age significant is the fact that she had already gone through so much before reaching that moment. By the time she debuted at 18, she had trained for over three years, navigated two cancelled group debuts, moved to a foreign country alone, and worked tirelessly to refine her skills. Her debut was not just a beginning but the result of years of quiet dedication.

Career Growth After Debut

First Solo Single and Songwriting Credits

Sana’s career continued to grow steadily after TWICE’s debut. In February 2021, she became the first TWICE member to release a solo single when she covered “Sotsugyou,” a song by the Japanese band Kobukuro. The following month, she released another version of the song alongside Kobukuro themselves, making it an even more special collaboration.

Beyond performing, Sana has also made her mark as a lyricist. She has writing credits on several TWICE songs including “Shot Thru the Heart” in 2018, “Turn It Up” and “21:29” in 2019, “Do What We Like” in 2020, and “Conversation” in 2021. This shows that her talent goes far beyond performing and that she contributes meaningfully to the creative process of the group.

MISAMO Subunit Debut in 2023

On February 9, 2023, JYP Entertainment announced that Sana, along with her TWICE bandmates Momo and Mina, would debut as a special Japanese subunit called MISAMO. The name MISAMO is derived from the first syllables of each member’s name — Mina, Sana, and Momo.

MISAMO officially debuted in Japan on July 26, 2023, with their first mini album titled “Masterpiece.” Before the album’s release, they released a song called “Bouquet” as part of a TV show soundtrack. Their debut showcase tour was held in Osaka and Yokohama, where they performed in front of over 40,000 fans in sold-out shows. In 2024, MISAMO made their comeback with a second EP titled “Haute Couture,” further solidifying their presence as a successful subunit.

Sana’s Popularity and Cultural Impact

Sana’s popularity extends far beyond music. In the annual Gallup Korea music poll in 2018, she was voted the 17th most popular idol in South Korea, making her the highest-ranked Japanese personality to ever appear on that list. In 2019, she rose even higher to 15th place. That same year, she was also voted the most popular female K-pop idol in a survey conducted among South Korean soldiers completing their mandatory military service.

Her popularity has been credited with helping to improve relations between Japan and South Korea. As a Japanese idol who built her career in South Korea, Sana represents a bridge between two cultures, and her warm personality has helped fans from both countries feel connected.

Brand Ambassadorships and Global Recognition

Sana’s influence has attracted some of the world’s most prestigious brands. In 2021, she and TWICE member Dahyun became models for the skincare brand A’pieu. In March 2022, she became a model for WakeMake, a cosmetics brand by Olive Young. In March 2023, she was chosen as ambassador for both Missha skincare and Espoir makeup.

In July 2023, Sana became the first Japanese ambassador for Graff, a renowned British jewelry company. In September 2023, the Italian luxury fashion house Prada appointed her as their brand ambassador. In December 2023, YSL Beauty selected her as their official Japanese brand ambassador. These partnerships reflect not only her star power but also her elegant image and global reach.

Personal Facts and Personality Traits

Fun Facts About Sana Minatozaki

Beyond the stage and camera, Sana is known for a number of charming and quirky traits that her fans adore. She is considered the clumsiest member of TWICE, yet surprisingly she is very good at running on uneven or slippery surfaces. She enjoys collecting perfumes and body mists and loves shopping in her free time.

Sana is afraid of thunder and lightning and has a horse allergy, though she fulfilled a long-held dream of riding a horse in February 2023. She is a big fan of horror movies and is known to scream throughout them while continuing to watch until the very end. When she cannot fall asleep, she stretches in her bed as a way to relax.

Her favorite Pokémon are Pikachu and Pachirisu, and she is known to be close friends with Eunha from GFriend. She is also multilingual, speaking Japanese natively while being fluent in Korean and having a basic understanding of English. Her specialty is calligraphy, which she learned during primary school and has impressed fans with on multiple occasions.

Sana’s Ideal Type and Personality

Sana has shared that her ideal type is someone who treats his parents well and works hard in his career. She values professionalism and dedication, qualities that she herself demonstrates through her own work. Her MBTI type is ENFP, which reflects her extroverted, enthusiastic, and deeply empathetic nature.

Her nickname among fans is the Osaka Honey Punch, given to her because when she gets angry, she playfully puts up her fists. This combination of sweetness and feistiness is a big part of why fans around the world feel so connected to her.

Sana Minatozaki’s Legacy in K-Pop

The story of how old was sana when she debuted is really a story about courage, resilience, and passion. She left her home country at age 15 as a trainee, faced cancelled debuts, and pushed through years of uncertainty before finally standing on stage at 18 as a member of one of the most successful girl groups in K-pop history.

From her early days at EXPG in Osaka to becoming a Prada ambassador and a founding member of MISAMO, Sana’s journey is a testament to what dedication and genuine talent can achieve. She continues to inspire millions of fans around the world not only through her music but through her warmth, her humor, and her unwavering positivity.

Sana Minatozaki is more than just a K-pop idol. She is a cultural bridge, a creative artist, and a personality who has left a lasting mark on the global music industry. Her story reminds us that the biggest dreams often start in the most unexpected places, like a shopping mall in Osaka, Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Old Was Sana When She Debuted