Early life
Momo Hirai was born in Kyōtanabe, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.[3][4] She began dancing at the age of three, together with her elder sister, Hana.[4][5]
Career
Pre-debut
Main article: Sixteen (TV series)
Momo had some early exposure to the South Korean music industry, appearing in a music video for Lexy in 2008 and on the talent show Superstar K in 2011.[6] Momo and her sister were originally spotted by JYP Entertainment in an online video in 2012.[4][6][7] They were both asked to audition, but only Momo was successful, prompting her to move to South Korea in April 2012.[6][8] Before joining Twice, Momo danced in a number of music videos as a "K-Pop trainee".[4][7] In 2015 Momo participated in the South Korean reality television show Sixteen, hosted by JYP Entertainment and co-produced by Mnet.[1][9] Though she was initially eliminated in the competition, she was brought back at the end of the competition and joined the newly formed girl group Twice.[1][4][10]
In October 2015
Career with Twice
Main article: Twice
In October 2015, Momo officially debuted as a member of Twice with their first extended play, The Story Begins[11] accompanied by the lead single "Like Ooh-Ahh".[12]
Recognition
In Gallup Korea's annual music poll for 2018, Momo was voted the 20th most popular idol in South Korea.[13] She is one of the most popular non-Korean K-pop stars,[4] and her popularity has been credited with improving relations between South Korea and Japan by the Chosun Ilbo.[8] Known for her physical fitness and body movements, she is nicknamed "Dance Machine".[14][15] In this regard, Momo is considered Twice's best dancer.[1][4][15][16] In 2019 Momo received coverage for trending on Twitter after a video trailer of her was released.[1] In 2019, Momo was ranked as the tenth most popular female K-pop idol in a survey of soldiers doing mandatory military service in South Korea.[17]
Personal life
On January 2, 2020, Label SJ and JYP Entertainment confirmed that Momo was dating Kim Hee-chul from the group Super Junior.[18][19][20] On July 8, 2021, both labels confirmed that the pair had broken up.[21]
Discography
Main article: Twice discography
Composition credits
All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.[22]
List of songs, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album
Title Year Artist Album Notes
"Shot Thru the Heart" 2018 Twice Summer Nights As lyricist
"Hot" 2019 Fancy You
"Love Foolish" Feel Special
"21:29"
Filmography
Television shows
Year Title Network Role Note Ref.
2015 Sixteen Mnet Herself (contestant) [1]
2016 Hit the Stage Episode 1–4 [23]
2017 Real Class – Elementary Kid Teachers SBS Cast Lunar New Year special (2 Parts) [24]
Hosting
Year Title Network Notes Ref.
2016 Suwon K-pop Super Concert SBS MTV With Kim Hee-chul, Zhou Mi and Chaeyoung [25]
