Momo from Twice, Japan’s top K-pop star: her dance moves, her bangs and the stars she admires
Born in Kyoto, Momo is one of three Japanese members of girl group Twice and the best-known non-Korean star in K-pop. Talent-spotted after appearing in a dance video online, she has helped Twice win fans in Japan
The idea of a Japanese singer in a K-pop outfit could be seen as a political statement, given the historical antagonism between South Korea and Japan. But youngsters in Asia increasingly choose their allegiances based on fashion and pop culture, instead of history or politics.
And K-pop entertainment firms, whether to promote international exchange or simply to tap into a star’s transnational crossover appeal, are recruiting band members from neighbouring countries.
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Of course, Asia has produced its share of crossover stars in the past – such as Hong Kong’s Leslie Cheung, Japan’s Namie Amuro, South Korea’s Rain – but the rise of K-pop has ushered in a new era for multicultural pop stars in Asia. And Momo, one of the three Japanese members of dominant K-pop girl group Twice, is arguably the best-known non-Korean star in K-pop today.
This is her story so far.
Momo, whose full name is Momo Hirai, was born and raised in Kyoto, Japan. The 21-year-old started dancing at the age of three, training alongside her elder sister. Like Justin Bieber and many other pop stars in the YouTube era, Momo and her sister were spotted in an online video – in their case, South Korea’s JYP Entertainment, the firm behind bands such as 2PM and Got7.