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K-pop powerhouse TWICE is celebrating a decade of success together, a milestone the nine-member group views not as a finish line but as another chapter in their ongoing story.

During a backstage interview at the Kia Forum on their “THIS IS FOR” World Tour, the members – Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu – shared reflections on their journey and aspirations for the future with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan.

“There’s so much more we can do,” said group leader Jihyo, emphasizing that despite their impressive accomplishments since debuting in 2015, TWICE continues to seek new creative challenges and opportunities for growth.

The group recently marked their anniversary with the release of “TEN: The Story Goes On,” a special project that breaks new ground by featuring individual solo tracks from all nine members. This approach represents a significant evolution for a group that built its reputation on cohesive, unified performances and synchronized choreography.

“We wanted to showcase our individual colors while still maintaining what makes TWICE special as a group,” explained Nayeon, the eldest member. “These solo tracks allow fans to experience different sides of us they might not have seen before.”

The anniversary release comes at a time when K-pop groups increasingly balance group activities with individual pursuits. TWICE has gradually embraced this model, with members like Nayeon and Jihyo already having released successful solo projects while subunits such as MISAMO (Mina, Sana, and Momo) have explored different musical directions.

During the interview, the members discussed how they maintain their creative freshness after nearly 20 Korean and Japanese comeback releases. Their process involves collaborative decision-making through group chats and meetings, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard despite their busy schedules.

“We’re always texting ideas to each other, even when we’re in different countries,” shared Dahyun. “Our group chat never stops buzzing with concept suggestions or songs we think might work for our next project.”

This collaborative approach has helped TWICE avoid creative stagnation, allowing them to experiment with different sounds and styles while maintaining their signature upbeat energy that first captured global attention with hits like “TT” and “Cheer Up.”

Their longevity in an industry known for rapid turnover is particularly remarkable. While many K-pop groups struggle to maintain momentum beyond their seventh anniversary – often referred to as the “seven-year curse” – TWICE has defied expectations, continuing to break records and expand their international presence.

The group’s evolution reflects broader changes in the K-pop industry, which has seen unprecedented global expansion over the past decade. TWICE has been at the forefront of this movement, successfully transitioning from regional fame to international recognition with multiple sold-out world tours and appearances on major U.S. platforms like “The Tonight Show.”

Their recent contribution to popular culture extends beyond music. The members revealed details about their participation in the Netflix animated project “KPop Demon Hunters,” for which they recorded the song “Takedown.” This cross-media collaboration represents another avenue for K-pop’s cultural integration on a global scale.

As they look toward their next decade, TWICE’s definition of success appears to be shifting from purely commercial metrics to artistic fulfillment and meaningful connections with fans, whom they affectionately call “ONCE.”

“At the beginning, success meant winning awards or topping charts,” reflected Chaeyoung. “Now it’s about creating music that resonates with people and challenging ourselves artistically.”

This evolution mirrors the maturing relationship between the nine women, who entered the industry as teenagers and have grown up together under intense public scrutiny. Their bond, tested by the pressures of fame and demanding schedules, remains central to their identity as a group.

“We’re not just colleagues,” Tzuyu, the youngest member, emphasized. “We’re family who have experienced all these incredible moments together.”

As they continue their world tour and look toward future projects, TWICE’s decade-long journey stands as a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to their craft in an ever-changing musical landscape.