| STAGE NAME | Momo |
|---|---|
| REAL NAME | Hirai Momo |
| KOREAN | 모모 |
| BIRTHDAY | November 9, 1996 |
| HEIGHT | 167 cm (5’6″) |
| BLOOD TYPE | A |
| MBTI TYPE | INFP |
| ZODIAC SIGN | Scorpio ♏ |
| CHINESE ZODIAC SIGN | Rat |
| DEBUT | October 20, 2015 (Twice), July 26, 2023 (MISAMO) |
|---|---|
| AGENCY | JYP Entertainment |
| POSITION | Main Dancer, Singer, Rapper |
| NATIONALITY | 🇯🇵 Japanese |
|---|---|
| BIRTHPLACE | 🇯🇵 Kyōtanabe, Kyoto, Japan |
| HOMETOWN | 🇯🇵 Kyōtanabe, Kyoto, Japan |
| LANGUAGES | Japanese, Korean |
- BIOGRAPHY
- TWICE
- DISCOGRAPHY
- FILMOGRAPHY/ VIDEOGRAPHY
- ILLUSTRATION
- FUN FACTS
- OUR FAVOURITE INTERVIEW
- MORE TWICE PROFILES
BIOGRAPHY
Momo Hirai, known by her stage name Momo, is a Japanese singer, dancer, and rapper active in South Korea. She is a member of the globally renowned girl group “Twice,” formed by “JYP Entertainment,” as well as part of the sub-unit “MISAMO.”
Momo was born on November 9, 1996, in Kyōtanabe, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. She began dancing with her older sister Hana at just three years old. Her path into the South Korean entertainment industry began in 2012, when she was discovered by JYP Entertainment after appearing in an online dance video. Although both sisters were invited to audition, only Momo was chosen, which led her to move to South Korea to pursue her dream.
Before debuting with Twice, Momo gained early experience in the K-pop industry. She appeared in a music video for Lexy in 2008, took part in “Superstar K” in 2011, and appeared as a trainee in various music videos. In 2015, Momo took part in JYP Entertainment’s reality survival show “Sixteen,” in which contestants competed for a spot in the new girl group Twice. Although she was eliminated in episode 6 due to weaker vocal performances compared to other contestants, she was later brought back into the final lineup by JYP’s founder Park Jin-young, who praised her exceptional dance and performance skills.
Twice debuted on October 20, 2015, with their first mini album “The Story Begins.” While Momo’s inclusion in the group initially sparked controversy, JYP Entertainment made clear that her unique talents as a dancer and performer were crucial to the group’s success.
TWICE
TWICE is a popular South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment. They officially debuted on October 20, 2015, with their first mini album “The Story Begins.” The group consists of nine members: Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu.
This long-established group has celebrated many achievements in recent years. Here’s a summary of the most important ones for you:
- Within five months of its release, the music video for the title track “Like OOH-AHH” was viewed 50 million times. It was the most-viewed debut music video by a K-pop group. The video later even surpassed the 100 million mark.
- In 2016, the song “Cheer Up” became a huge hit and won “Song of the Year” at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA).
- In 2017, TWICE successfully debuted in Japan with the single “One More Time,” which broke the record for best-selling single by a K-pop girl group in Japan.
- In 2018, they held their first arena concert in Japan and released the Japanese album “BDZ,” which reached No. 1 on the Oricon Charts.
- In 2019, TWICE launched their “TWICELIGHTS” world tour, which was hugely successful and took place in cities around the world.
- With the release of the singles “More & More” and “I CAN’T STOP ME,” they achieved high chart positions and cemented TWICE’s status as a leading K-pop group.
- In 2021, they released their first English-language single, “The Feels,” which was successful on various international charts.
- In 2022, TWICE reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with the album “Formula of Love: O+T=<3,” their highest US chart entry.
- In 2023, TWICE released their twelfth mini album “Ready to Be” and announced their fifth world tour.
Momo is known as Twice’s dancing machine.
On June 24, Mnet confirmed Momo’s participation as a contestant on their new survival show “Hit the Stage.” Known for her exceptional dance skills, Momo impressed audiences by showing a different side of her personality on the show. Her performance began with a confident, powerful stare and flowed seamlessly into dynamic choreography that captivated both the judges and viewers. Through her impressive stage presence and unmatched talent, Momo cemented her reputation as one of the most talented dancers in K-pop.
On July 8, 2021, however, JYP Entertainment and Label SJ announced that Momo and Heechul had split up due to their busy schedules. The breakup was attributed to the difficulties caused by their hectic schedules, which made it hard for them to maintain their relationship. Despite the split, both agencies asked that the pair’s privacy be respected, and fans continued to support both of them in their individual careers.
MISAMO
JYP Entertainment announced on February 9, 2023, that Momo would debut alongside her members Sana and Mina in “MiSaMo,” Twice’s Japanese subunit. The subunit, whose name is made up of the first syllables of its three members Mina, Sana, and Momo, released their debut mini album “Masterpiece” on July 26, 2023. Ahead of the release, the single “Marshmallow” came out first, followed by “Do Not Touch” as the lead single. MiSaMo celebrated their debut with a sold-out showcase tour in Osaka and Yokohama, drawing over 40,000 fans. They marked their first comeback with the EP “Haute Couture,” released on November 6, 2024.
DISCOGRAPHY
| YEAR | SONG |
|---|---|
| 2023 | MISAMO - “Masterpiece” (EP) |
| 2024 | MISAMO - “Haute Couture” (EP) |
FILMOGRAPHY/ VIDEOGRAPHY
| YEAR | TITLE | ROLE |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | GOT7 - "Girls Girls Girls" (Music Video) | - |
| 2014 | Junho - "Feel" (Music Video) | - |
| 2015 | miss A - "Only You" (Music Video) | - |
| 2015 | Wooyoung - "R.O.S.E" (Music Video) | - |
| 2015 | “Sixteen” (Mnet, Survival Show) | Contestant |
| 2016 | 2016 - J.Y. Park - "Fire" (Music Video) | - |
| 2016 | Heechul x Min Kyung Hoon - "Sweet Dream" (Music Video) | - |
| 2016 | Hit the Stage (Survival Show) | Contestant |
| 2020 | NIZI Project | Judge |
ILLUSTRATION
In 2022, Momo was named brand ambassador for “Wonjungyo,” a cosmetics brand run by “Won Jung-yo,” Twice’s makeup artist. In October 2022, she was announced as brand ambassador for the Japanese sportswear brand “Onitsuka Tiger.”
In May 2023, Momo appeared as a model to promote the Japanese news app “SmartNews.” The following month, she was named the Japanese brand ambassador for the Italian luxury fashion house “Miu Miu,” though the official announcement came later.
FUN FACTS
- Momo has three family dogs, named “Petco,” “Pudding,” and “Lucky.”
- When Momo was a trainee, she ate only ice cubes to lose weight.
- She’s allergic to salmon.
- Momo can also play the piano.
- She’s very afraid of heights, roller coasters, and needles.
- Her representative color is pink.
- She can sleep anywhere.
OUR FAVOURITE INTERVIEW
Momo has established herself as an iconic figure in K-pop, celebrated for her exceptional talent and captivating stage presence.
Her influence extends beyond her group activities, as she is regularly counted among the most popular idols both in South Korea and internationally. In 2018, she was voted the 20th most popular idol in South Korea and the second most popular Japanese person in the Gallup Korea annual survey. Momo’s popularity has played a significant role in promoting cultural relations between South Korea and Japan. Momo’s journey, from her debut to becoming a global K-pop icon, underscores her resilience, talent, and ability to bridge cultural divides, making her a beloved and influential figure in the entertainment industry.
