Tzuyu
A Taiwanese star whose quiet grace and viral fame propelled her to become a central visual pillar of K-pop's global powerhouse, TWICE.
Born 1999 (age 27)·Taiwanese singer·Birthday: June 14·Generation Z
Biography
Tzuyu's journey into the heart of K-pop began not with training, but with a fan's cell phone video. Spotted at a Taiwanese talent competition, her visuals alone were enough to catch the eye of a JYP Entertainment scout. She moved to South Korea as a teenager, plunging into the rigorous idol training system. Her debut on the survival show 'Sixteen' was marked by a shy demeanor that contrasted with her stunning presence, a combination that captivated audiences across Asia. As the youngest member of the resulting group, TWICE, she quickly became one of its most recognizable faces, especially after a flag controversy in 2015 inadvertently amplified her fame in Taiwan and sparked international discourse. On stage, she evolved from a reserved performer into a confident center of the group's elegant concepts, her dancing sharp and expressions nuanced. Tzuyu represents a unique archetype: an idol whose initial, image-based discovery blossomed into a dedicated artistry, making her a beloved symbol for fans in both East Asia and around the world.
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.
Tzuyu was born in 1999, 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 Tzuyu Was Born
The biggest hits of 1999
#1 Movie
Star Wars: Episode I
Best Picture
American Beauty
#1 TV Show
ER
Tzuyu's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1999Born
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2004Started school
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2012Became a teenager
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Could drive
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
2017Could vote
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2020Turned 21
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 27 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Debuted as a member of TWICE under JYP Entertainment, one of the best-selling K-pop girl groups of all time.
- Ranked first place in visual polls among idol trainees on the survival show 'Sixteen'.
- Has been a central figure in multiple of TWICE's music videos that have surpassed 500 million views on YouTube.
- Recognized as one of the most popular K-pop idols in Taiwan and across Southeast Asia.
Did You Know?
She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Korean, and also speaks some English.
She was discovered after a video of her at a Taiwanese talent search was sent to JYP Entertainment.
Tzuyu is known for being left-handed.
She has a pet dog named Kaya and a pet cat named Nyeonie.
In 2019, she donated 50 million South Korean won to help combat the spread of COVID-19.
“Even if I'm lacking, I will work hard and become a Tzuyu that everyone can be proud of.”
