Jihyo
The steadfast leader and powerhouse vocalist of Twice, who guided one of K-pop's biggest girl groups to global fame with unwavering dedication.
Born 1997 (age 29)·South Korean singer·Birthday: February 1·Generation Z
Biography
Park Jihyo's story is one of remarkable perseverance, having spent a decade as a trainee at JYP Entertainment before her debut. That long apprenticeship forged not just a singer of impressive technical skill and emotional power, but a natural leader. When Twice was formed in 2015 through the survival show 'Sixteen,' Jihyo was appointed leader, a role she has embodied with a mix of warmth and fierce responsibility. Her voice, capable of both belting anthemic choruses and delivering tender ballads, became a defining pillar of the group's sound. Beyond her vocal duties, she is the group's emotional anchor, famously known for her tearful speeches and deep care for her members. Jihyo's journey mirrors Twice's own: starting as eager newcomers, surviving intense public scrutiny, and evolving into confident global artists, with her steady hand on the wheel through years of record-breaking tours and chart dominance.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Jihyo was born in 1997, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jihyo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1997
#1 Movie
Titanic
Best Picture
Titanic
#1 TV Show
ER
Jihyo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1997Born
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Started school
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2010Became a teenager
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Could drive
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2015Could vote
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Turned 21
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 29 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Debuted as the leader and main vocalist of Twice, a group that has sold millions of albums worldwide and charted on the Billboard 200.
- Released her debut solo album, 'ZONE,' in 2023, showcasing her individual artistry and topping South Korean music charts.
- Co-wrote lyrics for several Twice songs, including 'Girls Like Us' and 'Up No More,' contributing to the group's creative direction.
- Performed as a lead vocalist for Twice during their historic sold-out concerts at venues like the Tokyo Dome and SoFi Stadium.
Did You Know?
She was discovered by JYP Entertainment at the age of eight after winning a junior singing contest.
Her stage name, Jihyo, was given by the company's founder, Park Jin-young, and means 'to become wise.'
She is known among fans for having an exceptionally loud and distinctive laugh.
During trainee days, she was roommates with fellow Twice member Nayeon for nearly a decade.
“I want to be a leader who can be a good influence, not just in words but through my actions.”
