March 31, 2023
Even if you don’t know who Max Martin is, you’ve definitely heard his songs. Hit-pop songs are kind of his thing after all. Martin first stepped into the music world in 1985 as a frontman for....
Read moreMarch 18, 2023
The Filipino-Canadian duo from Vancouver has been releasing new tracks left and right, and they are known for their most streamed songs on Spotify, “Timezones,” and “Silver Skies.” Previously .......
Read moreMarch 17, 2023
The singer, songwriter, and actress Miley Cyrus has recently released a record-breaking song called “Flowers” in January 2023. This song recites her 10-year long relationship with her ex-husband....
Read moreMarch 4, 2023
Men I Trust is a Canadian indie pop band known for their dreamy and mellow sound. Their music is laid back, incorporating elements of funk, disco, and R&B to create a smooth and groovy vibe that is
Read moreMarch 3, 2023
Artists like Kaytranada have proved that you don’t need access to a professional recording studio to create well-produced music. As technology and social media have advanced, it is now easier than eve
Read moreFebruary 25, 2023
People draw inspiration from others when forming their ideas, it’s a fact of life. Sampling in music is no exception - and artists do it for a variety of reasons. Traditionally, copyright laws and
Read moreFebruary 23, 2023
Tobias Jesso Jr. You may know his name from his 2015 solo album Goon. Or maybe from his work on various popular songs, such as “When We Were Young” by Adele and “Alive” by Sia. Or even from his rece
Read moreFebruary 23, 2023
HBO’s The Last of Us is arguably the hottest show out right now, receiving near universal acclaim from viewers and critics alike. This holds especially true for episode three: “Long, Long Time”.
Read moreFebruary 21, 2023
Folk singer. Songwriter. Canadian. Polyglot. All of these titles belong to Gina Lam, also known by her stage name Ginalina. In November 2022, she released her latest album titled Going Back: Remembe
Read moreFebruary 21, 2023
Rihanna is an illustrious artist. She is among the best selling female artists of all time, and was one of the greatest hitmakers of the 2000s and 2010s. She has since grown to become the richest...
Read moreFebruary 20, 2023
Streaming is now the driving force of the music industry, making up 84% of the industry revenue in the U.S. While streaming is much more convenient for listeners, many artists argue that it is near im
Read moreFebruary 23, 2023
Who is the greatest rapper of all time? Is it even possible to crown just one person? Well, Billboard and Vibe did exactly that. And, according to them, that person is Jay-Z. In honor of Hip-Hop’s
Read more
As the eldest member of the global K-pop group TWICE, Im Nayeon embodies big sister energy: she's protective, loving, and playful. Her playful nature sometimes leads to spoilers, much to the amusement of her fans and fellow members. “Nooo!” Nayeon laughs, recalling a recent slip-up during a VLIVE session where she accidentally revealed pairings for the final episodes of TWICE’s vlog series, 2WICE Date.
To TWICE’s fans (known as ONCE), these moments are pure entertainment. Nayeon’s biggest spoiler incident involved revealing Momo’s bob haircut before the release of “I Can’t Stop Me.” Despite her penchant for spoilers, she prefers being spoiled herself. “I actually look at spoilers before starting a movie or TV series,” she admits, emphasizing that she’d rather know than accidentally spoil something for others.
New Beginnings with a Solo Debut
Nayeon is ready to reveal more of herself with her first solo EP, IM NAYEON. This project reintroduces her as a multi-faceted artist — bubbly, talented, and authentic. Her lead single “POP!” showcases grand K-pop production, luxurious music video sets, and a catchy hook, drawing inspiration from second-generation K-pop sounds she loves. Through this project, she transitions into a leader, main vocal, main dancer, and visual center, embracing her growth and creativity in music.
“It’s a new beginning for both Nayeon and TWICE,” she says confidently. As TWICE approaches their seventh anniversary, Nayeon hopes her solo debut communicates a new stage in their careers. She wants fans to enjoy her new project as much as she did creating it, focusing on the joy rather than the stress of expectations.
Journey to Solo Stardom
Nayeon’s path to TWICE began in 2010 with a secret audition at JYP Entertainment. She was initially supposed to debut with a pre-debut girl group but ended up competing in the survival music show SIXTEEN. This led to her debut with TWICE, where she quickly became known for her all-around talent and infectious stage presence.
Her solo debut, IM NAYEON, features an impressive lineup of collaborations with artists like Felix of Stray Kids, Wonstein, LDN Noise, Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix, Destiny Rogers, and The Stereotypes. These collaborations highlight her versatility and gratitude for the talented individuals she worked with. “The collaborations are not one-directional; they work both ways,” she says, expressing her thankfulness.
Embracing Challenges and Growth
Being the first member of TWICE to release a full solo album brought its own anxieties, especially in songwriting. “I couldn’t believe I was the first to go. I had a little pressure but a lot of worry,” she recalls. Despite the challenges, Nayeon finds joy and enthusiasm in exploring different styles and expressing herself through songwriting. “To be honest, up until now, the road in songwriting has not always been happy. But I keep holding on to that 30% of joy to find my way through.”
Support from TWICE
Throughout her solo journey, Nayeon found support in her TWICE members. They helped her make important decisions and provided emotional backing. Letters from the members are included in her album packaging, filled with messages of pride and trust. “I started reading them but become overwhelmingly touched whenever I do,” she shares, valuing their support deeply.
Looking Forward
Nayeon’s solo debut marks a significant milestone in her career. She’s grateful for the opportunity to showcase her individuality while appreciating the teamwork that TWICE embodies. Her journey reflects a commitment to growth, creativity, and a desire to make her fans proud.
Final Thoughts
Nayeon’s story is an inspiration for aspiring music creators. Her journey emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges, finding joy in creativity, and valuing the support of a community. As she continues to grow and explore new avenues in music, she hopes to inspire others to realize their potential and push beyond limitations.
Whether known as TWICE’s Center, MC Rail, Fake Maknae, Intro Queen, or Hot Girl Im Nayeon, she remains committed to her artistry and her fans. Nayeon has a lot more to offer and, of course, more to spoil.
So, can she spoil Chaeyoung’s outfit for the “POP!” TikTok dance challenge? “Not yet,” she says, laughing. But she’s always open to recommendations.