Hirai Momo: TWICE's Main Dancer and K-Pop Sensation

Hirai Momo started as a young dancer in Japan before transforming into one of K-pop's most influential performers. Her role as TWICE's main dancer showcases technical precision and artistic flair that distinguishes her from contemporaries.

JYP Entertainment's rigorous training system and the survival show "Sixteen" marked the beginning of Momo's experience with TWICE. She has become the life-blood of TWICE's performances over the last several years. Her powerful moves and distinctive style have earned widespread recognition. Her influence reaches beyond group activities and continues to shape modern K-pop dance standards.

Early Dance Journey in Japan

Hirai Momo started dancing at age three in Kyōtanabe, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. She trained at Step Out Dance Studio with her elder sister Hana, where she developed what would later become her signature dance style.

Childhood dance training

Momo showed her love for dance through intense training sessions. Her sister Hana became more than just a training partner - she was Momo's inspiration. Both sisters practiced hard and made dance videos that caught the eye of industry professionals.

Influence of Japanese dance culture

Momo's artistic style comes from a mix of different cultural elements. Her Japanese roots shaped her performance style and created a unique blend of:

This mix of styles became one of her biggest strengths in the competitive K-pop world.

Path to K-pop discovery

K-pop stars like Rain and Lee Hyori sparked Momo's interest in the genre's energetic dance style. Her big break came in 2012 when JYP Entertainment found a dance video of Momo and her sister. The agency invited both sisters to audition, but Momo was the one who made it.

Momo built her experience before joining TWICE. She appeared in several music videos and competed in Superstar K in 2011. Her early work in South Korea's entertainment scene, including a spot in Lexy's 2008 music video, helped prepare her for the challenges ahead.

Breaking into K-pop

JYP Entertainment found Momo through an online dance video she made with her sister. This led to a life-changing opportunity in 2011 where both sisters received invitations to the JYP Japan Audition in Osaka and Tokyo.

JYP Entertainment audition

A talented 15-year-old Momo passed the tough JYP audition process. Her sister didn't make it through, but Momo's exceptional skills earned her a trainee position. She packed her bags and moved to South Korea in April 2012.

Training period challenges

Momo's three-year training tested her strength and determination. She faced several tough challenges:

Sixteen survival show experience

The year 2015 brought a new challenge as Momo joined Sixteen, a reality survival show created by JYP Entertainment and Mnet. The show put contestants into "Majors" and "Minors" groups that changed based on how well they performed.

Momo showed amazing dance skills but still got eliminated in episode six. The story didn't end there. Park Jin-young saw something special in her performance abilities and made a bold choice to bring her back as TWICE's ninth and final member.

People debated this choice at first, but it proved to be the right decision for TWICE's future. Park Jin-young knew Momo's exceptional dancing would complete the group's lineup. Her comeback story became one of K-pop's most inspiring tales of determination.

Evolution as TWICE's Main Dancer

Hirai Momo has been one of K-pop's most dynamic performers since October 2015 with TWICE in October 2015. Fans call her "Dance Machine". Her development as TWICE's main dancer shows remarkable artistic growth and technical mastery.

Development of signature style

After TWICE's debut with "Like Ooh-Aah," Momo stood out with her powerful stage presence and commanding dance breaks. Her signature style grew through different concepts that proved her versatility:

Contribution to TWICE's choreography

Momo's technical excellence helped lift TWICE's dance performances. She knew how to adapt to different genres, which became clear when the group moved to more mature concepts with "Fancy." She naturally balanced elegance with power. In "Alcohol-Free," she mastered bossa nova-inspired choreography and showed her skill with new dance styles.

Performance highlights

The Feels became a milestone in Momo's career. She showcased her talents to a global audience as part of TWICE's first all-English single. Her performances blend technical precision with artistic expression, especially in her iconic dance breaks.

Throughout her career, Momo managed to keep her position as TWICE's best dancer. She substantially improved the group's reputation for powerful performances. Her impact goes beyond choreography execution. She brings unique energy that lifts every stage appearance. She proved herself essential to TWICE's success in both supporting vocalist and main dancer roles.

Her dance style combines Japanese dance training background with K-pop influence. This unique blend creates a distinctive performance style that became her trademark. She not only boosted TWICE's performances but also inspired a new generation of K-pop dancers.

Technical Dance Excellence

Hirai Momo stands out as one of K-pop's most technically skilled dancers. Her excellence comes from a powerful mix of strength, precision, and grace. She delivers sharp movements and smooth transitions with remarkable body control that reflects years of dedicated training.

Dance style analysis

The signature style Momo brings to the stage blends sophisticated sensuality with technical precision. She makes complex movements look effortless. Her performances showcase powerful yet controlled execution, and she knows how to keep clean turns with precise momentum control. Her exceptional core strength lets her tackle challenging combinations with perfect form, whether she's doing intricate floor work or dynamic aerial moves.

Versatility in different genres

Momo shines as a versatile performer with exceptional skills in multiple dance styles:

She moves between styles with near-perfect fluidity, backed by impressive upper and lower body strength. JYP Entertainment's instructors, who previously worked with icons like Girls' Generation and Lee Hyori, picked Momo as their standout student.

Training methodology

Raw dedication shapes Momo's approach to her craft. She stuck to an intense 17-hour daily routine during her pre-debut period. Dance practice ran from 9 AM to 9 PM, with vocal training lasting until 2 AM. This steadfast dedication earned praise from industry giants like Girls' Generation's Hyoyeon, who called her the "next-generation dancing queen".

Renowned choreographer Lia Kim highlighted Momo as an outstanding talent among students from major entertainment companies. This recognition comes from her skill at executing complex choreographies while displaying exceptional musicality and emotional expression.

Impact on K-pop Dance Culture

Hirai Momo has changed the K-pop dance world, and her influence reaches way beyond her role in TWICE. She stands out as one of the leading Japanese artists in K-pop. Her artistry has built cultural bridges between South Korea and Japan, which has helped improve relations between these nations.

Influence on industry standards

Momo's contributions have sparked major changes in K-pop dance. Entertainment companies now invest more in unique choreography and work with international partners. Her precise technique and fresh style have set new standards for performance quality. This has pushed companies to raise their dance training requirements.

Recognition from peers

The industry widely acknowledges Momo's excellence. Her notable achievements include:

Legacy in dance community

Momo's effect on the K-pop dance community grows stronger each day as she shapes future performance standards. As a role model, she inspires new dancers and idol trainees. Her influence shows clearly in how upcoming K-pop groups train. Many aspiring dancers study her technical approach and performance style.

Her work has created waves throughout K-pop choreography. The focus now lies on technical precision and artistic expression. Entertainment companies team up with international choreographers more often. This creates a richer and more dynamic dance culture. These changes have established new performance standards across the industry, with Momo's work setting the bar for excellence.

Her work with TWICE has helped the group become a powerhouse in third-generation K-pop. Their amazing success includes becoming the first foreign act to perform and sell out three nights at the Tokyo Dome. Through these achievements, Momo has created a new model for main dancers in K-pop that influences both current and future performers.

Beyond Dancing: Artistic Growth

Hirai Momo stands out for her exceptional dance abilities and has expanded her artistic talents in multiple creative areas. Her progress from a dance specialist to a multifaceted artist shows her steadfast dedication to artistic development.

Songwriting development

Momo started her songwriting experience with her first credited work on "Shot Thru the Heart" for TWICE's 2018 album Summer Nights. Her songwriting portfolio has several notable works:

Vocal progression

Her vocal experience shows a unique progress within TWICE's soundscape. She focused on dance-oriented performances at first but developed a distinctive vocal color that enriches TWICE's musical palette. Her dedication to vocal improvement shines through her consistent participation in TWICE's varied musical releases.

Creative contributions

Momo has become essential to TWICE's creative process beyond her individual achievements. She actively shapes the group's artistic direction beyond performance aspects. Notable collaborative efforts include her work with fellow members on song arrangements and performance concepts.

Recent projects highlight the growth of her artistic expression as she balances her renowned dance expertise with expanded creative duties. Her role in TWICE's creative decisions has grown substantially, from suggesting choreography changes to shaping musical arrangements.

Momo shared her thoughts on artistic growth in a recent interview: "When we first debuted, I was 19-20 [in Korean age], so there was no moment when I didn't feel healthy. But now, after debuting, I'm realizing that health isn't just about bodily health. Our mental states are intimately tied to our physical health". This mature view has shaped her approach to artistic expression and creative development.

Her story shows the transformation from specialized performer to well-rounded artist, contributing to TWICE's progress as a group. Momo continues to explore new creative territories and stays committed to growth without losing sight of her performance strengths.