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Jihyo (Park Ji-hyo) is the leader of TWICE, the nine-member South Korean girl group under JYP Entertainment. Born on February 1, 1997, in Guri, South Korea, Jihyo trained for nearly seven years before debuting with TWICE in October 2015. She serves as the group’s leader and main vocalist, and she is the only member who has held the leadership position since debut.
Ask any K-pop fan a simple question — “Who leads TWICE?” — and the answer comes back instantly: Jihyo. But that one-word answer only scratches the surface of what the role actually means. In K-pop, a “leader” isn’t a ceremonial title. It’s the member who speaks for the group in interviews, mediates schedules with the agency, keeps eight other personalities working toward the same goal, and absorbs pressure that never reaches the public eye.
This article breaks down exactly who TWICE’s leader is, how she earned the position, what her responsibilities actually involve, and how her role has evolved as TWICE has grown from rookie girl group to one of the best-selling acts in K-pop history.
Quick Facts: Jihyo’s Profile
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Park Ji-hyo (박지효) |
| Stage Name | Jihyo |
| Position in TWICE | Leader, Main Vocalist |
| Date of Birth | February 1, 1997 |
| Birthplace | Guri, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Agency | JYP Entertainment |
| Trainee Period | Nearly 7 years (one of the longest in JYP history) |
| Debut | October 20, 2015, with TWICE’s The Story Begins |
| Solo Debut | August 18, 2023, with the mini album ZONE |
This table alone answers most of the surface-level questions people search for, but each of these facts carries more context worth understanding.
Who Is Jihyo?
Jihyo is the leader and main vocalist of TWICE, a nine-member South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment through the 2015 survival reality show SIXTEEN. Of the sixteen trainees who competed on the show, Jihyo was among the final members selected, and she was the one JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young personally designated as the group’s leader.
She’s known within the group and among fans for her steady, grounded temperament — often described as the “big sister” figure despite not being the oldest member (that title belongs to Nayeon). Jihyo’s vocal ability is widely regarded as one of the strongest in TWICE, and she frequently handles the most technically demanding parts of the group’s title tracks.
Beyond her voice, Jihyo has become known for a specific kind of consistency: she has never missed a comeback, world tour leg, or major promotional cycle since TWICE’s debut in 2015, a notable feat in an industry where injuries and burnout frequently sideline idols for extended stretches.
Why Was Jihyo Chosen as TWICE’s Leader?
Unlike some K-pop groups where members vote internally or leadership rotates, TWICE’s leader was selected directly by JYP Entertainment’s founder, Park Jin-young, during the SIXTEEN survival process. Several factors are commonly cited by industry observers and the members themselves for why Jihyo was picked:
Seniority and trainee experience. Jihyo trained under JYP for close to seven years before debut, making her one of the most experienced trainees in the lineup. That long apprenticeship gave her a deep understanding of the company’s expectations, choreography standards, and vocal training system — knowledge she could pass on to newer trainees.
Vocal leadership. As main vocalist, Jihyo already occupied a position of technical responsibility within the group’s musical structure, which naturally extends into broader leadership in many K-pop acts.
Temperament. Members and staff have repeatedly described Jihyo as calm under pressure, diplomatic in conflict, and protective of her groupmates — qualities agencies prioritize when appointing a leader who will represent the group publicly for years.
It’s worth noting that leadership in a JYP group is not necessarily tied to who’s the oldest or most popular. Nayeon, born in 1995, is TWICE’s oldest member, yet Jihyo — two years younger — was still chosen to lead, underscoring that the agency prioritized specific leadership qualities over seniority by age.
What Does a K-pop Group Leader Actually Do?
To understand why the “leader” question matters so much to fans, it helps to understand what the job actually involves. It’s far more than standing in the center of formations.
Public Representation
The leader typically speaks first in interviews, delivers opening remarks at award shows, and fields questions directed at the group as a whole. Jihyo is consistently the member who introduces TWICE at award ceremonies and handles press when the group faces sensitive topics.
Internal Coordination
Leaders often serve as the communication bridge between members and the agency — relaying scheduling concerns, health issues, or creative feedback. This is largely invisible to fans but is considered one of the most demanding parts of the role, since it requires balancing loyalty to bandmates with obligations to the company.
Mentorship of Younger or Newer Members
Because Jihyo trained the longest, she has historically taken on an informal mentorship role, particularly for members like Tzuyu and Chaeyoung, who were still in their teens at debut.
Emotional Stabilizer
Idol group leaders are frequently described by members as the person who keeps morale up during grueling promotion schedules, world tours, and high-pressure comeback periods. TWICE members have spoken in interviews and variety appearances about Jihyo’s tendency to check in on the group’s wellbeing before her own.
Jihyo’s Journey Before Debut
Jihyo’s road to becoming TWICE’s leader started years before the group existed. She joined JYP Entertainment as a trainee while still in elementary school, making her trainee period one of the longest of any JYP idol on record — spanning roughly seven years.
During that stretch, she trained alongside other JYP trainees who would go on to become K-pop stars themselves, and she was considered for multiple potential debut lineups before finally competing on SIXTEEN in 2015. The show pitted sixteen young trainees against each other in a series of missions, with the final nine earning a spot in what would become TWICE.
Jihyo placed highly throughout the competition and was one of the clearer favorites heading into the final lineup announcement — a reflection of both her vocal skill and the seniority she’d built up over years of training.
Jihyo’s Role Within TWICE
As TWICE’s discography has grown from bubblegum hits like “Cheer Up” and “TT” to more mature, self-produced work on albums like Formula of Love and With YOU-th, Jihyo’s vocal role has expanded accordingly. She’s frequently assigned the emotional or technically difficult sections of TWICE’s singles — bridges, high notes, and ad-libs that anchor the group’s live performances.
She has also increasingly contributed to songwriting and production credits on TWICE releases in recent years, moving beyond a purely vocal role into creative input on the group’s direction — something reflected in her growing number of registered music credits with KOMCA, South Korea’s music copyright association.
Jihyo’s Solo Career
While remaining TWICE’s leader, Jihyo launched her solo career on August 18, 2023, with the mini album ZONE. The release marked her as one of the later TWICE members to debut solo, following groupmates like Nayeon, Jihyo’s solo work leaned into a more mature, R&B-influenced sound distinct from TWICE’s pop-forward catalog.
Her solo momentum has continued since, with additional singles and stage performances — including songs like “Killin’ Me Good” and the Billboard Hot 100-charting single “Takedown” — expanding her individual profile even as she continues to lead the group through world tours and comebacks. She has been a central performer on TWICE’s THIS IS FOR World Tour spanning 2025 into 2026, balancing group leadership duties with her solo output throughout.
Has TWICE Ever Had a Different Leader?
No. Since TWICE’s debut on October 20, 2015, Jihyo has been the group’s only leader. This makes her tenure notably stable compared to some other K-pop groups where leadership has changed due to member departures or agency decisions. All nine original members — Jihyo, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu — debuted together and, aside from individual contract changes discussed below, the group’s leadership structure has not changed.
Recent Developments: Jihyo’s Contract Situation in 2026
As of mid-to-late 2026, Jihyo’s future with JYP Entertainment has become a significant topic of discussion among fans and Korean entertainment media. Multiple South Korean outlets, including JoyNews24, reported in July 2026 that Jihyo was considering leaving JYP Entertainment after 21 years with the company — a relationship that includes both her trainee years and her time as a debuted idol — with speculation that she may establish her own independent agency to expand her solo activities.
Importantly, reports at the time indicated that even if Jihyo were to separate her individual contract from JYP, she was expected to continue promoting with TWICE as a group. On July 28, 2026, Jihyo addressed the speculation directly, posting an emotional message to fans on the fan-communication platform Bubble, acknowledging that contract renewal discussions were ongoing and stating she would “make a wise decision” about her future. As of this writing, JYP Entertainment has not issued an official confirmation regarding her contract status, and Jihyo remains TWICE’s active leader.
Because this situation is still developing, readers should treat any specific outcome as unconfirmed until either Jihyo or JYP Entertainment makes an official statement.
Jihyo vs. the Other TWICE Members
Understanding Jihyo’s leadership role is easier in context. Here’s how her position compares to the rest of TWICE’s lineup:
| Member | Position | Age (Oldest to Youngest) | Notable Distinction |
| Nayeon | Vocalist | Oldest (b. 1995) | First TWICE member to release a solo album |
| Jeongyeon | Vocalist | 2nd oldest | Known for stable vocal tone |
| Momo | Lead Dancer | 3rd oldest | Considered TWICE’s strongest dancer |
| Sana | Vocalist | 4th oldest | One of TWICE’s most popular members in Japan |
| Jihyo | Leader, Main Vocalist | 5th oldest | Group’s only leader since debut |
| Mina | Lead Dancer | 6th oldest | Classically trained in ballet |
| Dahyun | Rapper, Vocalist | 7th oldest | Known for variety-show presence |
| Chaeyoung | Main Rapper | 8th oldest | Also a visual artist outside music |
| Tzuyu | Lead Dancer, Visual | Youngest (maknae) | The group’s official “visual” and only non-Korean member (Taiwanese) |
This table highlights something important: Jihyo’s leadership isn’t a byproduct of age — she’s the fifth-oldest member out of nine, meaning four members, including the group’s oldest, defer to her leadership by agency design rather than seniority alone.
FAQs
Is Jihyo still the leader of TWICE in 2026? Yes. As of the most recent reporting in mid-2026, Jihyo continues to serve as TWICE’s leader and main vocalist, even amid speculation about her contract situation with JYP Entertainment.
How was Jihyo chosen as leader? JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young appointed Jihyo as leader during the SIXTEEN survival show that formed TWICE, largely due to her extensive trainee experience and vocal ability.
Is Jihyo the oldest member of TWICE? No. Nayeon, born in 1995, is TWICE’s oldest member. Jihyo, born in 1997, is the fifth-oldest of the nine members.
Has TWICE had more than one leader? No. Jihyo has been TWICE’s sole leader since the group’s debut on October 20, 2015.
What is Jihyo’s role in TWICE besides leader? Jihyo is also TWICE’s main vocalist, frequently handling the group’s most vocally demanding parts, and she has an active solo career alongside her group activities.
Is Jihyo leaving TWICE? There is no confirmation that Jihyo is leaving TWICE. Reports from July 2026 suggested she may be reconsidering her contract specifically with JYP Entertainment, with indications she would continue group activities regardless of that outcome. Fans should watch for official statements from Jihyo or JYP for confirmed updates.
Conclusion
Jihyo has been TWICE’s one and only leader since the group’s debut in 2015 — a position she earned through nearly seven years of trainee experience, strong vocal ability, and a temperament JYP Entertainment judged fit to represent and hold together a nine-member group for over a decade. Her role extends well beyond ceremony: she anchors TWICE’s vocal performances, mediates between members and the agency, and has increasingly built out her own solo identity without stepping back from group responsibilities.
As of 2026, with contract speculation swirling around her relationship with JYP, Jihyo’s status as leader remains unchanged — though it’s a storyline fans and industry watchers will want to follow closely in the months ahead.