TWICE’s Solo and Sub-Unit era is basically a K-Drama anthology, and here is the cast breakdown.
Throughout their 10-year journey as a group, TWICE has shown us various concepts that swoon and gain new fans over the years. Their versatility has constantly earned praise, making it one of TWICE’s most celebrated strengths.
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The group has also shone even brighter in their solo and sub-unit releases, with a variety of genres that truly match their versatility and also allow them to bring out their own creativity by being involved in the production and storytelling process. Their solo and unit concepts go beyond visuals; they tell stories through music—making it look like they are in a Korean drama. Here are TWICE’s solo and sub-unit concepts as K-drama tropes:
NAYEON in POP!: The Cheerful Chaebol Heiress
NAYEON’s debut album, IM NAYEON, perfectly brought out the pop star within her. The pastel and glittery visuals embodied the cheerful concept, seamlessly matched with NAYEON’s natural energy.
As a K-Drama trope, she’s rich, radiant, and charming—but not in the cold and aloof kind of way. Think sunshine in designer heels: born into wealth, but she wears it like glitter, not armor. She’s the kind of heiress who would most likely befriend everyone, yet she’s also someone who dearly loves her family. Truly, the kind of character who turns every scene into a serotonin boost.
JIHYO in Killin’ Me Good: The Revenge-Bent Character
JIHYO’s debut album, ZONE, perfectly matches her personality: bubbly, yet you can sense power in her aura. The concept marks a shift from TWICE’s usual upbeat sound, embracing a more mature R&B vibe.
“Killin’ Me Good” is about the intoxicating kind of love. In the music video, JIHYO appears consumed by love, yet she also embodies someone who loved first, loved hardest, but was eventually betrayed. She seems poised to seek revenge but eventually learns to forgive, not just others but herself as well.
TZUYU in Run Away: The Runaway Heiress with a Secret Past
The concept of TZUYU in her debut album abouTZU revealed a different side of her—far from the bubbly maknae we often see with the TWICE members. This album showcased a more mature and bold version of TZUYU.
“Run Away” hints at themes of freedom and emotional release. The concept casts TZUYU as the kind of K-drama lead who vanishes from the tabloids and reappears in a quiet coastal town. She turns heads effortlessly, but her silence keeps people guessing—because she’s not running from love, she’s running from a life that never felt like hers.
MISAMO in NEW LOOK: Women in Bloom
TWICE’s Japanese sub-unit MISAMO consists of the group’s Japanese members: MOMO, SANA, and MINA. Their latest EP, HAUTE COUTURE, is a high-concept release that seamlessly blends elegance, empowerment, and self-love.
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In the “NEW LOOK” music video, MISAMO gave a visual love letter to nostalgia while celebrating transformation, like a slice-of-life reimagining. Much like what we witness in slice-of-life dramas, the lyrics hint at vulnerability and self-doubt. Through MISAMO as characters, we see these moments met with laughter and resilience, embracing change and the journey toward loving oneself.
CHAEYOUNG in SHOOT (Firecracker): The Rebel with a Sketchbook
TWICE’s latest addition to the soloist club, CHAEYOUNG, recently released her debut album LIL FANTASY Vol.1. The album is deeply personal and genre-blending debut that heavily highlighted CHAEYOUNG’s artistic freedom, a sort of a diary and a dreamscape for CHAEYOUNG.
In “SHOOT (Firecracker)” music video, CHAEYOUNG looked like an art university student tucked in the hills of a province. She’s guarded and uses art as her way of remembering and self-expression. Her art isn’t for galleries but a message to remember and rewrite. She’s the kind of character who doesn’t need a love interest and have the drama focus on her self-growth.
What TWICE shows us in their solo and sub-unit eras isn’t just for the sake of visuals—it’s character study in motion. Each release feels like a scene from a drama viewers can easily fall into. Just like any good K-Drama, TWICE’s solo and sub-unit arcs remind us that growth, longing, and reinvention are the real plot twists worth watching.
Sources: @JYPETWICE (Official X Account), @JYPETWICE_JAPAN (Official X Account), JYP Entertainment, TWICE JAPAN OFFICIAL YouTube Channel
