JYP to replicate TWICE with only Japanese members
K-pop girl band TWICE. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
By Dong Sun-hwa
JYP founder Park Jin-young has revealed plans to launch a Japanese version of popular K-pop girl group TWICE.
JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young. Yonhap
Park disclosed his idea for a new girl band composed only of Japanese members when he spoke at the “Demoday 11” investment briefing on Thursday.
“But still, the group will be different from TWICE,” Park said. “It will make its debut late next year, or the year after.”
JYP's flagship group TWICE debuted in 2015 and is the most popular girl band in Korea thanks to big hits “Cheer Up” and “Knock Knock.” TWICE will come back with a fresh album, “Dance The Night Away,” on July 9.
“The future of K-pop now depends upon fostering and producing of the locals,” said Park, mentioning the agency's newly launched Chinese-only hip-hop band Boy Story, which has six members with an average age of 13.
According to Park, Boy Story made its official debut two weeks ago and topped the QQ Music MV chart in China.