Sana (singer)

For other people with similar names, see Sana.
The native form of this personal name is Minatozaki Sana. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.

Sana
Sana in 2025
Born
Sana Minatozaki

(1996-12-29) December 29, 1996
Osaka, Japan
Occupation
  • Singer
Musical career
OriginSeoul, South Korea
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2015–present
Labels
Member of
Japanese name
Kanji湊﨑 紗夏
Revised HepburnMinatozaki Sana
Korean name
Hangul
사나
RRSana
MRSana
Signature

Sana Minatozaki (Japanese: 湊﨑 紗夏;[1] born December 29, 1996), known mononymously as Sana (Korean: 사나; Japanese: サナ), is a Japanese singer based in South Korea. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Twice, formed in 2015 by JYP Entertainment, and its subunit MiSaMo, formed in 2023.

Career

Early life and pre-debut

Sana was born on December 29, 1996[2] in Tennōji-ku, Osaka, Japan,[3][4] as an only child.[5] Sana stated that she wanted to become a singer and dancer early on and was inspired by the K-pop group Girls' Generation.[5] Sana began training with EXPG in Osaka in 2009, originally planning to be a singer in Japan, rather than South Korea.[6] During her middle school years, she was scouted by a JYP Entertainment (JYPE) employee at a shopping mall and was invited to participate in the annual JYP Japan audition the following day.[7] Sana passed the audition[7] and joined the JYPE trainee program in South Korea in April 2012.[8][9] She trained for over three years before her eventual debut with Twice.[8] In 2012, she was expected to become a member of a four-member girl group aimed at the Japanese market, but plans for the group were cancelled in part due to tensions between Japan and Korea following the Liancourt Rocks dispute; she was later scheduled to debut in a six-member group called 6Mix, but the group's debut was also cancelled due to the sinking of MV Sewol.[8][10] In 2014, Sana appeared in Got7's music video for "A" as a waitress.[11]

2015–present: Sixteen, Twice, solo activities, and MiSaMo

Main articles: Sixteen (TV program), Twice, and MiSaMo

In 2015, Sana participated in the music survival show Sixteen, a reality television series to determine the members of Twice.[12][13] Out of the sixteen contestants, Sana was selected as one of the nine members of the newly formed girl group.[12][14] She officially debuted with Twice in October 2015 with the title song "Like Ooh-Ahh" from their debut extended play The Story Begins.[15]

In February 2021, Sana became the first Twice member to release a solo single after she covered "Sotsugyou", a 2020 single by Japanese band Kobukuro.[16] The cover, which includes an a cappella version, was released as a digital single through Warner Music Japan.[17] She released a version with Kobukuro themselves in March 2021.[18]

On February 9, 2023, JYPE announced that Sana, alongside bandmates Momo and Mina, would officially debut in Japan on July 26 as a sub-unit named MiSaMo with the extended play titled Masterpiece.[19] Prior to the trio's debut, on January 25, they released the track "Bouquet" as part of the soundtrack of TV Asahi's drama series Liaison: Kodomo no Kokoro Shinryōjo.[20]

In September 2023, Sana appeared as a guest on Dex's Fridge Interview, a YouTube talk show hosted by Dex.[21] Sana's episode became the most viewed video on the channel, exceeding 10 million views.[22] She replaced Dex as the host from March to June 2024, and returned for a second season from March to August 2025. During this time the show was known as Sana's Fridge Interview.[22][23] In December 2025, Sana appeared in Daesung's music video for "Hando-Chogua".[24]

Image and influence

Sana has received recognition in both South Korea and abroad for her energetic and cheerful personality.[12][5][25][26] Her popularity also has been credited with helping to improve relations between Japan and South Korea.[6][27] In Gallup Korea's annual music poll for 2018, Sana was voted the 17th most popular idol in South Korea, the highest-ranked Japanese individual in the poll.[28] She ranked 15th in the 2019 poll.[29][30] In 2019, Sana also ranked as the most popular female K-pop idol in a survey of soldiers completing mandatory military service in South Korea.[26]

Endorsements

Outside of Twice, Sana was featured in several advertisements and has promoted various brands and products.[5] In 2021, Sana and Twice bandmate Dahyun became models for skincare brand A'pieu.[31] In March 2022, Sana became a model for Olive Young's cosmetics brand WakeMake.[32][33]

In March 2023, Sana was selected as an ambassador for both the South Korean skin care brand Missha[34] and the makeup brand Espoir.[35] In July 2023, Sana became the first Japan ambassador for British multinational jeweller Graff.[36] In September 2023, Italian luxury fashion house Prada named Sana as their brand ambassador.[37][38] In December 2023, cosmetics brand YSL Beauty appointed Sana as their newest brand ambassador in Japan.[39] On November 14, 2024, Ralph Lauren Japan announced Sana as their brand ambassador.[40]

Discography

For Sana's discography with Twice and MiSaMo, see Twice discography and MiSaMo discography.

Singles

List of singles, showing year released, and album name
Title Year Album
"Sotsugyou" (卒業)[41][A] 2021 Non-album single

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, showing year released, selected chart positions and name of the album
Title Year Peak chart positions Album

KOR
Down
[42]

NZ
Hot
[43] 		US
World
[44]
"I'll Show You"
(with Jihyo, Nayeon, Chaeyoung, Bekuh Boom and Annika Wells as K/DA) 		2020 — 38 10 All Out
"Decaffeinated"[a] 2025 164 — — Ten: The Story Goes On

Songwriting credits

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.[45]

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
"Turn It Up" 2019 Fancy You
"21:29" Feel Special
"Do What We Like" 2020 Eyes Wide Open
"Conversation" 2021 Taste of Love
"Celebrate" 2022 Celebrate
"Rewind You" 2023 MiSaMo Masterpiece
"Mirage"[b] 2024 Haute Couture
"Me+You" 2025 Twice Ten: The Story Goes On

Filmography

For Sana's filmography with Twice, see Twice videography.

Television shows

Year Title Role Ref.
2015 Sixteen Contestant [13]
2016 Show! Music Core Host [46]
Idol Star Athletics Championships [47]
2017 KBS Song Festival [48]
2018 M Countdown [49]
2019 Idol Star Athletics Championships [50]
2020 Nizi Project: Part 2 Special judge + Host[c] [51][52]

Web shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2024–2025 Sana's Fridge Interview Host YouTube talk show [22]

Bibliography

Photobooks

Title Release date Publisher Ref.
Yes, I am Sana. April 16, 2021 JYP Entertainment [53]

Notes

  1. ^ credited to Twice, but the track is a solo by Sana
  2. ^ credited to MiSaMo, but the track is a solo by Sana
  3. ^ Surprise appearance as a special judge in episode 9 of Part 1 and appeared as Host on the final stage of Part 2.
  1. ^ A version with the original artist, Kobukuro, was also released as a single.

References

  1. ^ Han, Jae-won (August 6, 2019). 사나, ‘충격’의 학창시절 모습 지금과 달라진 곳은?…‘뜨거운 감자’ [Sana, what's the difference between the school days of 'Shock'? ...'Hot potatoes']. 안전신문 (Safety News) (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 18, 2025. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  2. ^ Kim, Soo-jin (December 29, 2018). "Happy 22nd birthday to K-pop star Sana! Here are the Twice band member's funniest moments on TV". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  3. ^ K-POPの最注目新人「TWICE」の日本人メンバーが可愛くて美しい＜プロフィール＞. Modelpress (in Japanese). December 15, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  4. ^ Todoroki, Yuki (March 19, 2025). 【MISAMO】 TWICE日本人メンバー、モモ・サナ・ミナの魅力&トリビアを徹底解説 [[MISAMO] A thorough explanation of the charms and trivia of Twice's Japanese members, Momo, Sana, and Mina]. 25ans (in Japanese). Hearst Fujingaho Co., Ltd. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d "Meet Sana from Twice – K-pop girl group's fun-loving and 'adorably blunt' star". South China Morning Post. May 12, 2018. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Jung, Chul-hwan (February 20, 2018). "3 Japanese Girls at the Top of K-Pop: The Story Begins". The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition). Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Jung, Chul-hwan (February 21, 2018). "3 Japanese Girls at the Top of K-Pop: Taking off to K-Pop Land". The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition). Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  8. ^ a b c Jung, Chul-hwan (February 22, 2018). "3 Japanese Girls at the Top of K-Pop: In the Lion's Den". The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition). Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  9. ^ [네이버 연예] 아이엠그라운드, 트와이스 소개 하기!. Naver (in Korean). Naver Corp. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
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  13. ^ a b Won, Ho-jung (April 29, 2015). "'Sixteen' compete for spot in JYP's next girl group". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  14. ^ Jeong, Jun-hwa (July 8, 2015). '식스틴' JYP의 미래 짊어질 9인, 걸그룹 트와이스 탄생[종합] [The 9 members of Sixteen who will lead JYP's future; the birth of girl group Twice [Comprehensive]]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 17, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019 – via Nate.
  15. ^ Park, Jin-hai (May 3, 2019). "TWICE 'Like OOH-AHH' MV hits 300 mil. views". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  16. ^ コブクロ、SANA（TWICE）を迎えて新たに制作「卒業」MV公開 [Kobukuro releases new music video for "Sotsugyou" featuring Sana (Twice)]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). February 12, 2021. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  17. ^ "Sotsugyou (Cover) - Single by SANA from TWICE". iTunes. February 19, 2021. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  18. ^ コブクロとTWICEサナが歌う「卒業」リリース [Kobukuro and Twice's Sana release "Sotsugyou"]. Barks Japan (in Japanese). March 19, 2021. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  19. ^ Chin, Carmen (February 9, 2023). "TWICE's Sana, Momo and Mina drop trailer for Japanese sub-unit debut as MISAMO". NME. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  20. ^ Yoo, Hong (February 9, 2023). "Misamo, first unit debut from Twice coming soon". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  21. ^ Yeo, Gladys (September 22, 2023). "Twice's Sana says she 'had to go on a diet' as a trainee". NME. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  22. ^ a b c Lee, Chang-kyu (January 31, 2025). 덱스는 잠시 안녕...사나, '냉터뷰' 시즌2 MC로 3월 컴백 [Dex is saying goodbye for a while...Sana makes a comeback as MC for 'Fridge Interview' Season 2 in March]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 31, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  23. ^ Kang, Kyung-youn (August 11, 2025). "Twice Sana Clears the Air on Dating Rumors with G-Dragon After 4 Months: 'I Was Itching to Tell'". SBS Star. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  24. ^ Go, Mayks (December 9, 2025). "Daesung Releases New Single "Hando-Chogua" And Music Video Starring Twice's Sana". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  25. ^ 트와이스 "뽑힐 때 아무 생각이 없었다" ①. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 23, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  26. ^ a b "Sana de Twice es elegida la cantante más popular por los soldados de Corea del Sur" [Sana of Twice is voted the most popular singer by South Korean soldiers]. La República (in Spanish). November 10, 2019. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  27. ^ Jung, Chul-hwan (February 23, 2018). "3 Japanese Girls at the Top of K-Pop: The 1st of Their Kind". The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition). Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  28. ^ 2018년 올해를 빛낸 가수와 가요 - 최근 12년간 추이 포함 [Singers and songs that shined in 2018, including trends over the past 12 years] (in Korean). Gallup Korea. November 30, 2018. Archived from the original on December 18, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  29. ^ "Here's who Koreans voted as the top artists and idols of 2019". SBS PopAsia. December 20, 2019. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  30. ^ 2019년 올해를 빛낸 가수와 가요 – 최근 13년간 추이 포함 [Singers and songs that shined in 2019, including trends over the past 13 years] (in Korean). Gallup Korea. November 28, 2019. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  31. ^ Ma, Ah-ra (March 29, 2021). 트와이스 사나-다현, 화장품 동반 모델..."일본 활동도 함께" [Twice's Sana and Dahyun become co-models for a cosmetics brand... "They will also be working together on activities in Japan."]. Money Today. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2021 – via Naver.
  32. ^ 웨이크메이크 비건 클린 순수 커버 쿠션 [WakeMake Vegan Clean Pure Cover Cushion]. Naver Brand. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  33. ^ Kang, Yeong-eun (June 23, 2022). "트와이스처럼 화장할래"…日사로잡은 K뷰티 ["I want to wear makeup like Twice"… K-beauty that has captured Japan]. Maeil Business Newspaper. Archived from the original on July 19, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  34. ^ Kim, Jin-hee (March 13, 2023). 미샤, 트와이스 사나 앰버서더 선정...글로벌 시장 공략 강화 [Missha selected as Twice Sana Ambassador... Reinforcing global market penetration]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  35. ^ Kwon, Soo-bin (March 6, 2023). 트와이스 사나, 예쁘니까 발탁(화보). NewsCulture (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  36. ^ Awata, Makiko; Okabe, Shunsuke (July 7, 2023). TWICEのSANAがグラフ初のジャパンアンバサダーに就任！ [Twice's Sana becomes Graff's first Japan ambassador!]. Vogue Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
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  40. ^ ラルフ ローレン ジャパン、グローバル ガールズグループTWICEのSANAとパートナーシップを締結 [Ralph Lauren Japan partners with Sana of global girl group Twice]. PR Times (in Japanese). November 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
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  42. ^ Peak positions on the Circle Download Chart:
  43. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 16, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  44. ^ "World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. November 21, 2020. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
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  51. ^ TWICE サナ＆モモ、オーディション番組「Nizi Project」にサプライズ登場！感激の涙を流すメンバーも. Kstyle (in Japanese). March 27, 2020. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
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