Early life
Mina was born on March 24, 1997 in San Antonio, Texas, and grew up in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.[3][6][7] She moved to Japan when she was a toddler.[6] Mina's mother is Sachiko Terao and her father is Akira M
yoi, an orthopedic surgeon at Osaka University Hospital in Suita.[7][8] She has an older brother named Kai Myoi.[9] Mina trained in ballet from a young age, having practiced it for over a decade before debuting with Twice.[4][6][10] She attended Obayashi Sacred Heart School in Takarazuka, Hyōgo.[7] In 2017, it was reported that Mina held dual Japanese and American citizenship.[11] However, as of 2019, she no longer holds U.S. citizenship, as confirmed by the Quarterly Publication of Individuals Who Have Chosen to Expatriate published by the United States Internal Revenue Service, which lists the names of individuals who have lost citizenship in or before the previous quarter.[1]
Career
Main articles: Sixteen (TV series) and Twice
Debut with Twice
Mina was shopping with her mother in Osaka when she was approached and offered an audition by a JYP recruiter.[4] She later departed for South Korea in 2014 to become a K-pop idol by becoming a trainee under JYP Entertainment.[4][12][13] In 2015, Mina participated in the South Korean reality television show Sixteen, hosted by JYP Entertainment and co-produced by Mnet.[10][14] As one of nine successful participants, she went on to join the newly formed girl group Twice.[10] In October 2015, Mina officially debuted as a member of Twice with their first extended play, The Story Begins.[15] The lead single "Like Ooh-Ahh" was the first K-pop debut song to reach 100 million views on YouTube.[16]
Public image
Mina is known for being one of Twice's main dancers[6][7][10][16] and has received recognition in South Korea and abroad.[3][17] Her popularity – in conjunction with that of fellow Japanese members Momo and Sana – has been credited with improving relations between Japan and South Korea by the Chosun Ilbo.[3][17] In Gallup Korea's annual music poll of 2019, she was voted the 20th most popular idol in South Korea.[18][19]
Health issues
On July 11, 2019, JYP Entertainment announced that Mina would sit out the remainder of the Twicelights world tour due to her sudden extreme anxiety and insecurity problems in performing on stage.[20][21][22] She was later diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.[7][16][23] In February 2020, it was reported that Mina's condition had improved and that she had returned to performing live with Twice.[24]
Bibliography
Photobooks
Title Release date Publisher Ref.
Yes, I am Mina. December 30, 2020 JYP Entertainment [25]
Discography
Main article: Twice discography
