MINA

Early Life and Education

Mina Myoi, known mononymously as Mina, was born on March 24, 1997, in San Antonio, Texas, to Japanese expatriate parents, Sachiko and Akira Myoi. When she was a toddler, her family moved back to Japan, where she grew up in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture. Mina began her artistic journey at the tender age of three, training in classical ballet for eleven years. She later transitioned to K-pop dance, training at a studio for a year before being scouted by JYP Entertainment. Mina attended Obayashi Sacred Heart School until 2013, when she dropped out in her second year of high school to pursue her dreams in South Korea.

Career

Mina's career took off when she was approached by a JYP Entertainment recruiter while shopping in Osaka. She moved to South Korea in January 2014 to train and participated in the reality show "Sixteen" in 2015, which led to her joining the girl group Twice. The group debuted in October 2015 with their EP "The Story Begins," featuring the hit single "Like Ooh-Ahh," which made history as the first K-pop debut song to reach 100 million views on YouTube. Despite facing challenges with anxiety that led her to sit out part of the Twicelights World Tour in 2019, Mina made a successful return to the stage. In 2023, she debuted with the sub-unit MiSaMo alongside Sana and Momo, releasing their EP "Masterpiece."

Legacy

Mina's journey from a young ballet dancer to a prominent figure in the K-pop industry showcases her resilience and talent. Her contributions to Twice and MiSaMo have solidified her status as a beloved artist in both Japan and South Korea, inspiring many young performers around the world.