I wonder where I would’ve been last week if I hadn’t stumbled across the Fancy music video in 2019?
To commemorate their 4th full studio album, This Is For, legendary K-Pop girl group Twice has embarked on their sixth concert tour. Charlotte, North Carolina was included among the many cities the girls would be visiting, marking the first time across their 10+ year career that they would be performing in the state. The Spectrum Center, which has also hosted other big-time K-Pop acts such as Aespa and TXT, would be the venue.
Here comes my obligatory group introduction. Twice debuted in 2015 under one of the “big three” K-Pop agencies, JYP Entertainment. Nine members were chosen through the survival show Sixteen, which was kind of similar to shows such as American Idol, except the former’s contestants consisted entirely of female trainees that had to not only prove their abilities in singing and dancing, but star power overall. Ultimately, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu were brought together to become one of the most impactful and beloved girl groups of their generation. Just in the past year, they became the first K-Pop girl group to headline Lollapalooza Chicago, and they’ve received hundreds of music show and international awards. They’ve long cemented their status as one of the premier girl groups not just within the K-Pop space, but globally.
Front Row L->R: Mina, Jihyo, Nayeon, Tzuyu
Twice was one of the groups that introduced me to the K-Pop scene as a whole. They’ve always had a special spot in my heart because of this, and in a way I feel like their music has grown alongside me. Their early years are remembered with candy coated sweetness, and although their sound has definitely matured over the years (especially as the members approach their thirties), I’ve always felt that the joys of girlhood have remained ever present in their concept. If you can keep a consistent fanbase and all nine members after ten years of being in an industry that’s always chasing the next big trend, I’d say they’re doing something right.
Unfortunately, members Dahyun and Chaeyoung weren’t present at this stop due to injuries, with Dahyun recovering from an ankle stress fracture and Chaeyoung experiencing lower back pain. As excited as I was to see Twice, I do think that after this tour concludes everyone needs to take a long break. I hope Dahyun and Chaeyoung are doing well and can return to activities as soon as they feel healthy and comfortable again.
My friend and I got to the venue about two hours before doors officially opened at 6:30. As expected there were some concert-goers that had been at the venue since late morning, as I’d seen murmurings online about fan flash-mobs, a random play dance, and freebie trade outside the Spectrum Center starting around 11:00 that morning. The last time I visited the Spectrum Center to see Aespa, it was my first K-Pop concert ever, and in retrospect I felt like I had totally unprepared. Freebie trades are a huge aspect of concert culture among fans, and when I saw Aespa I only made about ten beaded bracelets and thought I was overdoing it. Imagine my surprise when I saw other Mys walking around with entire grocery bags full of handmade goodies. But this time, I knew what was coming. From the time I got my tickets back in October, my friend and I spent countless hours packing resealable bags containing a beaded bracelet, a random sticker, and a handmade photocard. By the end, we had made 200 freebie bags ready to be traded amongst fellow Once, the official name of Twice fans. One thing in particular that I noticed is that the fans I interacted with in Charlotte were some of the kindest I’ve ever met. Everyone was extremely polite, complimentary, and eager to trade freebies of their own. Some of them were really unique and interesting, such as custom Pokemon-style cards and drivers licenses with the Twice members on them. The overall fan atmosphere was very uplifting, and there was a mutual excitement among everyone for the night to come.
Of course, K-Pop fans also treat concerts as fashion shows, and Charlotte Once took this challenge very seriously. Detailed recreations of iconic music video, photoshoot, and performance looks were common. The most popular choices seemed to be versions of the red crochet outfits from the This is For music video, the pink lounge sets from the Strategy music video, and Nayeon, Momo, Jihyo, and Tzuyu’s viral performance looks from the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion show.
The concert began at 8:00. The stage setup was 360 degrees, meaning Twice could be seen from every angle, and all sides would be able to see them depending on the choreography. Above the center stage was a screen that would rise and lower depending on the stage setup and effects. During Four, the brief intro that succeeded in building anticipation among the crowd, the screen came down to the stage floor and revealed Sana, Momo, Jihyo, Jeongyeon, Mina, Nayeon, and Tzuyu standing behind it. They began with This is For, the title track of the tour and female empowerment anthem. They then seamlessly transitioned into Strategy, a track that was originally released in collaboration with rapper Megan Thee Stallion (I held out delusional hope that she would make an appearance). Both This is For and Strategy are two of Twice’s fully English title tracks, and the crowd screamed every word. In fact, the loudness of the Charlotte crowd remained consistent throughout the entire show. My ears were still ringing when I arrived home at three in the morning. Twice definitely took notice of the atmosphere too, as they made multiple comments about how energetic and excited we seemed. I also think this fueled the energy of the members as well, and you could definitely see them enjoying themselves more and more as the show continued. For this portion of the concert, the members wore matching white skorts and knee-high fur boots, topped off with varying white tops adorned in silver jewels. I’ve noticed the growing popularity of fur boots in K-Pop fashion since around 2022, so it’s a very trendy accessory. I also love when a girl group is styled in a way I like to call “same but different,” where they all have the same silhouette and color scheme but with minor differences tailored to each member. The jewels on the tops are gorgeous, and it makes the girls look chic yet regal at the same time (Note: If I can’t find an HD shot of the outfits from the Charlotte show, I’ll use a picture/video from a previous instance of the members wearing the outfits and indicate if so).
Once Twice made their introductions to the audience and did a few more songs, including Moonlight Sunrise and Options, there was a transition stage where the backup dancers showcased their talents. I have to give them a lot of props, they played a huge role in making the concert as captivating as it was, especially during the member-specific solo stages.
After the backup dancer showcase, Twice returned to the stage with new, western-style looks that utilized lots of brown leather, fringe, and ruffles. These were more varied than the previous white fur looks, with each of them seeming more suited to the specific vibe of each member. They kind of looked like glamourous pirates.
Jihyo in particular was on fire not just in this segment, but consistently throughout the entire show. Ever since becoming a fan of Twice I’ve always held a lot of respect for her as the group’s leader/main vocalist and knowing that she trained for ten years prior to their debut. I can confidently say that now that I’ve seen her in person, that respect has increased tenfold. She has such a captivating stage presence and if she was tired, I had no clue. Her vocals and dance prowess were on full display, and you could tell she truly loves her job.
They continued this segment by singing The Feels, their first English single released back in 2021, before interacting with the audience and complimenting us on our energy once more (Mina and Jihyo prompted us to sing along to Moonlight Sunrise again and while it was cool to hear the whole arena singing at the same time, I sound like a dying bird in my recording so I’m actually quite embarrassed about it). They then closed off the segment with a few more fan favorite b-sides before ending with Right Hand Girl from the This is For album. The choreography for this one is really fun, and I’ve seen a few viral clips of it with Bad Bunny’s EoO edited in and matching perfectly.
If I could adjust something, I think it would be some of the b-sides chosen for the setlist. Twice having a substantial career with a lot of projects under their belt is a double edged sword; they have so many good songs that it’s impossible to play every fan favorite. There were a few b-sides that I would’ve loved to see them perform, such as Get Loud, Hot, Do It Again, or Battitude, but I understand my own preferences for high energy songs and that slower choices are probably helpful cooldowns with all the choreography they do. Even so, Twice’s performances of Make Me Go and Gone were electric
Before the individual solo stages, the live band performed an instrumental medley. The band was another aspect I appreciated. I liked hearing some of my favorite upbeat Twice songs with a sort of rock edge that the live instruments provided.
The first member to take the stage by herself was Chou Tzuyu, the visual, youngest member, and lead dancer. Another fun fact about Tzuyu is that she is the group’s only Taiwanese member and is largely heralded for her role in breaking through within the modern idol system. Her deep blue outfit, coincidentally also the same shade as her representative color within the group, featured sheer sleeves and flared tights. A matching skirt is draped over the tights, and the neckline of the top is arranged in a way that it hung down like a scarf. I think in the past year or so, especially after the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Tzuyu’s confidence as a performer has grown significantly. Not that she was poor onstage or anything like that before, but in my eyes she looks like she’s been enjoying herself significantly in recent performances. It’s good to see her get her confidence back again. She also fits the song’s concept to a tee. She appears slightly reserved, yet in control. While some may consider this a detriment, I actually think it works during this specific song. Tzuyu looked very sophisticated onstage as the entire room sang alongside her.
Second came Stone Cold from dancer and 1/3 of the Japanese subunit, Myoi Mina. Prior to becoming a member of Twice, Mina trained in ballet for eleven years, and fans have affectionately dubbed her “Ballerina Mina.” She’s always had this quiet elegance about her that translates to her dancing style and soft voice. Mina wore an asymmetrical tan skirt, paired with a matching high-neck top draped in pearls and jewels. Very princess-esque, which fit right into the vibe of the song and Mina’s aforementioned poise. Also (and I may be reaching a bit), I liked how they incorporated some lyrical and ballet choreography. It’s all done very gracefully. I will say that I couldn’t really hear the song very clearly during the segment, but that’s no fault of Mina’s, I think it was just a combination of my already ringing ears and the distortion effects on the song’s instrumentals.
Next came lead vocalist and center Im Nayeon. I was especially excited for hers because Nayeon’s solo works have always been my favorites within the group. Pop and ABCD are pop perfection, and even though I would’ve loved for her to pull out either of those the way Tzuyu did with Run Away or Chaeyoung had been doing with Shoot (Firecracker), MEEEEEE is still a delight. Nayeon wore a loose, red tartan Vivienne Westwood top, a brand she has been seen wearing many times over the years. She also wore a matching hood. Additionally, she wore shiny red leather shorts and baggy boots over red floral tights. Nayeon seemed to steadily grow more at ease as the show went on, which was perfect for her solo. It oozes self-assurance, something that Nayeon dipped her toes into with ABCD in 2024. Nayeon is kind of regarded as the “face of the group,” and this is a song that knows it. I also liked how well her voice fit with the vibe of the song.
Afterwards came crowd pleaser and lead vocalist Yoo Jeongyeon. Fix a Drink was the solo that surprised me the most when I first heard it, as it’s a full on country song. I’ve actually played it for my grandparents who still regularly listen to country radio, and even they said it would fit right in on the stations they keep on rotation. Jeongyeon sported a white, rodeo-inspired suit with matching boots, chaps, and a cowgirl hat. Each of these pieces were topped off with intricate silver embellishments and fringe. I had a lot of fun during this one, and I owe part of that to the audience’s reaction. Charlotte REALLY liked Jeongyeon and as a 5+ year Once I was glad to see her get so much love. It showcased Jeongyeon’s versatility and, like Tzuyu, it’s nice as a fan to see her gain her confidence back through performing.
As I said earlier, Park Jihyo, the main vocalist and leader, commands the stage wherever she goes. Jihyo wore a grey hooded jacket over her arms, exposing her shoulders. She also wore grey lace-up shorts and a strapless top with the same lace-up style. Lastly, she wore matching grey leg warmers over sneakers, and casual black sunglasses. She looked effortlessly cool. I’m not the first person to tell you that Jihyo knows what she’s doing and I certainly won’t be the last. She was all the way across the arena from where I was sitting and I still picked her out immediately. There’s just a very distinct style to her stage presence. It also helps that her solo is very good. ATM‘s R&B influences are obvious, and Jihyo executes it well. You can also hear this kind of sound on the This Is For album in the form of Jihyo and Nayeon’s subunit song, Talk. It also reminded me of artists like Tinashe, FLO, and Ariana Grande.
I hope the person I saw dressed up as an actual ATM machine had a good time during this one.
Sub-vocalist, dancer, and 2/3 of the Japanese subunit Minatozaki Sana came next. If Twice’s earlier songs were sugary sweet, Sana is like the living embodiment of that concept. She’s like if that meme of the overly joyful hamster came to life. Her happy-go-lucky nature has made her a standout since the days of the survival show. With that being said, Decaffeinated has a sound and vibe that, like Jeongyeon’s, I wasn’t expecting Sana to do. This is a pleasant surprise though, and it’s actually one of my favorites among the bunch. For her solo stages Sana wears a flowy, sheer burgundy dress specially designed by Prada, who she is a brand ambassador for. The sleeves tie around her upper arm, and her dress also has a silver sequined belt. Decaffeinated sounds like a K-Pop song that would’ve been released in the 2018-2019 third gen domination era. It almost makes me nostalgic for that era by listening. It’s also a more mature concept than I think a lot of fans associate with Sana, which was interesting to see her take on. I especially like the outro and bridge of the song, it gave her a chance to show off some vocals that often go overlooked in some of the mainline group releases.
Finally, main dancer and 3/3 of the Japanese subunit Hirai Momo took the stage. I admit this was the solo I was most excited for, as Momo has been my bias in the group from the beginning (and I apologize to everyone around me during her set because watching my concert video back my yelling sounded like Pops from Regular Show). There’s a reason she’s called the “Dancing Machine,” and her talents were on full display all night. Momo wore a bold, jaguar print sleeveless bodysuit, accessorised with knee high black leather boots and a holster over her shoulder. One of my favorite things about the song is how it lets Momo use a deep, raspier tone. In early Twice songs her high pitch often added an extra flavoring to the song, but in newer releases it seems like she’s being allowed to show a new side to her voice, and I think it really suits her. It’s also perfect to dance to, which, of course, was probably the whole point. Momo flexes her dance muscles through lifts, isolations, and hip movements. Even outside of the solo I was taken aback with how smoothly she executes the choreography, she has so much fluidity. It looks so easy when she does it.
Once Momo was finished, Jeongyeon and Jihyo returned to the stage as a duo to perform their version of Takedown from the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack (Chaeyoung is also featured on this version, but as stated before, unfortunately she wasn’t able to attend). I was very pleasantly surprised by this one. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the song, I just wasn’t expecting for myself and everyone around me to get so amped up during it. It was one of the loudest songs of the night in my opinion and it was so fun to watch Jeongyeon and Jihyo run around the stage in genuine enjoyment. Of course, they both killed it in the vocals, and the outro was adrenaline-inducing live.
The rest of the members joined them shortly after for the last main segment of the night where they performed some of their older, more upbeat songs, such as Fancy, What is Love, and Dance the Night Away. I was fully prepared to get emotional during Fancy, it’s my favorite Twice song and was my introduction to the group as a whole (I managed to hold it together though). I’ve probably watched that music video more times than I’ve seen specific members of my own family, and it’s a song that has stuck with me throughout adolescence and as I’ve entered adulthood. I was also especially looking forward to seeing What is Love, as it’s my actual favorite Twice music video and I find the lyrics so relatable. The music video sees the girls reenacting scenes from various iconic films, such as The Princess Diaries, Romeo and Juliet, and La La Land as they sing about dreaming of finding love in their own lives. It’s actually the group’s most viewed music video as well, approaching the one billion views milestone on YouTube. During these songs the members would walk around the stage freely to interact with fans outside the pit. It could just be wishful thinking, but my friend and I are around 98% sure Mina and Tzuyu waved at us during this song. I didn’t catch Tzuyu, but I got the moment with Mina on camera and my friend swears up and down that she made eye contact with us. I’m choosing to believe my personal evidence and indulge in this fangirl achievement.
For their last fully coordinated group look, Twice all wore matching knee-high black boots paired with sets in varying shades of blue, magenta, and pink. The sets utilized lots of neckline cutouts, black and white accents, and hanging laces. Fans have drawn comparisons to the Power Rangers, but I think these looks are cute.
I also loved the moment during Yes or Yes where Jihyo came around to direct the crowd moving their lightsticks back and forth to the beat. It was so fun and I got such a kick out of it. Judging from how she was hopping up and down and encouraging us, I’d say Jihyo got a kick out of it too.
For the encore, the girls showcased their personalities. They wore the tour merchandise, but adjusted and topped off with accessories that added a personal touch. The first song we got was Feel Special, another staple of the group’s discography (that I really wish was on the regular setlist but honestly, I’m just grateful I got to see it regardless). I made an attempt to try and do the fanchant, but I could barely hear myself think and got mixed up in the middle of it. For shame.
Before their last song of the night, Twice got to see a video that fans had prepared for them. These “fan project” videos are common during K-Pop concerts. They’re essentially a way for fans to express how much the group means to them. According to the video’s creator, the prompt for the fan video submissions was “Why are Twice the Queens of Once’s Heart?”, with the reasoning being that Charlotte is regarded as the “Queen City” and Twice having a song called Queen of Hearts. Apparently there was also an appearance by NCSU’s own K-Pop dance cover team, KPACK, in the fan video as well.
The final song of the night was Doughnut, a Japanese track released in winter of 2021. It’s one of the group’s most popular Japanese releases, and it was a sentimental sendoff. Charlotte showed out for Twice, just like we did for Aespa. I have a personal theory that we’re so excitable for K-Pop concerts here in NC because we’re aware it doesn’t happen often. Veteran concert-goers are probably used to going to Atlanta or even Washington DC to see their favorite groups, so it’s very special to us when we’re acknowledged.
This concert in particular meant a lot. I know that sometimes it sounds corny to say things like “omg their music literally saved me,” but when I really started getting into Twice as a group I admit it was a very dark period for me mental-health wise. I was a freshman in high school with one friend, it was the middle of quarantine, and the combination of loneliness and boredom seemed tailor-made to cause someone to slowly sink into a depressive mindset. To this day I’m not really sure why Twice in particular spoke to me the way they did. At the time they hadn’t fully transitioned into their more mature concepts compared to today, and their early brand of bubbly and cute wasn’t exactly closely aligned with the genres I typically listened to. However, I did love the clothes, which has always been an aspect of girl groups that appealed to me. But in the end, I think that the fact that their music was so cheerful is what got through to me. It just made me feel happy and confident in a way that I almost believed I would never be able to be. As I grew up and matured, so did Twice’s music. Each new release became a staple within my memories of high school, and their songs have been integrated seamlessly into my ongoing college days as well. They’ll always be my go-to if I’m having a rough day or need a trip down memory lane.
Hopefully, in the future (after a LENGTHY break because I’m sure all nine of them need it) Twice will return to perform in North Carolina, this time with all nine members in good health. Maybe more K-Pop groups will follow their, Aespa, and TXT’s leads and notice what a large collection of dedicated fans the state has.
Also, I just really need to know what each member of Twice gets on their Cookout tray. If they ever release any kind of vlog showing their time in NC, that is the top tier content I want to see.
The Setlist
Encore