Mina (Japanese singer)
, known mononymously as Mina (; ), is an American-born Japanese singer and dancer based in South Korea. She is a member of the girl group Twice, formed by JYP Entertainment. Mina is one of Twice's three Japanese members. Early life. Mina was born on March 24, 1997, in San Antonio, Texas to Sachiko (née Terao) and Akira Myoi. She moved to Japan as a toddler and grew up in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Her father is an orthopedic surgeon at in Suita. She has one brother named Kai Myoi, who is five years older than her. Mina  trained in ballet from a young age, having practiced it for eleven years before debuting with Twice. She attended in Takarazuka, Hyōgo. In 2017, it was reported that Mina held dual Japanese and American citizenship. However, as of 2019, she no longer holds U.S. citizenship, as confirmed by the "Quarterly Publication of Individuals Who Have Chosen to Expatriate" published by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Career. Twice. Mina was shopping with her mother in Osaka when she was approached and offered an audition by a JYP recruiter. She later departed for South Korea in 2014 to become a K-pop  idol by becoming a trainee under JYP Entertainment. In 2015, Mina participated in the South Korean reality television show "Sixteen", hosted by JYP Entertainment and co-produced by Mnet. As one of nine successful participants, she went on to join the newly formed girl group Twice. In October 2015, Mina officially debuted as a member of Twice with their first extended play, "The Story Begins". The lead single "Like Ooh-Ahh" was the first K-pop debut song to reach 100 million views on YouTube. Public image and impact. Mina is known for being one of Twice's main dancers  and has received recognition in South Korea and abroad. Her popularity – in conjunction with that of fellow Japanese members Momo and Sana – has been credited with improving relations between Japan and South Korea by the "Chosun Ilbo". In Gallup Korea's annual music poll of 2019, she was voted the 20th most popular idol in South Korea. Health issues. On July 11, 2019, JYP Entertainment announced that Mina would sit out the remainder of the Twicelights world tour due to her sudden extreme anxiety and insecurity problems in performing on stage. She was later diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. In  February 2020, it was reported that Mina's condition had improved and that she had returned to performing live with Twice. Other ventures. Endorsements. In early 2022, Mina was announced as the new muse of one of South Korea's leading luxury fashion brand, Metrocity. In March of the same year, she was announced as the global brand ambassador of SK-II, Japan's leading cosmetic brand. Discography. Composition credits. All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.