Momo Hirai

Momo Hirai – Life, Career, and Notable Works

Discover the inspiring journey of Momo Hirai (born November 9, 1996) — a Japanese singer, dancer, and rapper who rose to fame in K-pop as a member of TWICE. Dive into her early life, artistic growth, signature style, achievements, and influence.

Introduction

Momo Hirai (平井もも), known mononymously as Momo, is a Japanese-born singer, dancer, and rapper active in South Korea. TWICE, she is celebrated particularly for her exceptional dancing ability and stage presence. MiSaMo.

Even though her public identity is largely tied to K-pop, Momo brings a cross-cultural dimension to her work — rooted in Japanese origins yet actively engaging in South Korea’s music industry. Her career exemplifies the blend of talent, perseverance, and cross-border cultural exchange that characterizes many modern idols.

Early Life and Family

Momo was born on November 9, 1996 in Kyōtanabe, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Hana Hirai.

Dance entered her life early: she began dancing at around age three, learning together with her older sister. Namie Amuro was a role model for her.

In her younger years, she made some early appearances in Korea’s entertainment ecosystems — for example, in 2008 she appeared in a music video by Lexy. Superstar K, a Korean audition program.

Her path toward K-pop began to crystallize when she and her sister were discovered via an online dance video, which led her to audition for JYP Entertainment.

Debut and Career Trajectory

Survival Show & Debut with TWICE

In 2015, Momo participated in Sixteen, a reality survival show organized by JYP Entertainment to select the members of a new girl group.

TWICE officially debuted on October 20, 2015 with the EP The Story Begins, and the lead single “Like Ooh-Ahh.”

Within TWICE, her roles are often listed as main dancer, with supporting roles as sub-vocalist and sub-rapper. MiSaMo (composed of Momo, Sana, and Mina), her roles expand — she takes on main dancer, main rapper, and vocalist responsibilities.

Artistry, Style & Recognition

Momo is often nicknamed the “Dance Machine” by fans, due to her high energy, precision, and consistency in dance performance.

She has cited influences such as 2NE1 and Rain in shaping her approach to performance, particularly in dance and stage presence.

Momo has also been active in endorsements and modeling. For instance:

• In 2022, she became a brand muse for the cosmetic brand Wonjungyo.

• Later in 2022, she was named brand ambassador for the Japanese sports brand Onitsuka Tiger.

• In 2023, she was selected as the Japanese ambassador for the fashion brand Miu Miu.

She has also been recognized in polls and surveys: in Gallup Korea’s 2018 music poll, she was voted among the most popular idols (20th overall), and among Japanese idols she ranked highly.

Personality, Strengths & Public Persona

Momo is known for her intense work ethic, dedication to dance, and consistent improvement. Her identity as a performer is deeply tied to movement, expression, and stage energy.

She tends to be reserved in interviews but reveals her fiery ambition and vulnerability in selected moments. Her early perseverance — being eliminated in Sixteen but brought back — underscores resilience in her narrative.

Her cross-cultural background (Japanese origin, working in Korean entertainment) adds a layer of complexity: she bridges linguistic and cultural boundaries, which shapes how fans see her — as both an insider and outsider.

Notable Works & Contributions

Since debut, Momo has participated in many TWICE albums, live tours, and promotional events. Some key milestones:

• Her debut EP with TWICE, The Story Begins, and the title track “Like Ooh-Aah” (2015) launched the group into public attention.

• In 2023, TWICE’s subunit MiSaMo officially debuted with the EP Masterpiece. Momo’s role in MiSaMo marked a deeper engagement with the Japanese market and musical style.

• She has contributed to songwriting/lyrics in several tracks registered under her name — for example, she has credits in Shot Thru the Heart (2018), Hot (2019), Love Foolish, Celebrate, Funny Valentine, and Money in My Pocket.

Her discography is still active, and as TWICE continues releasing new albums, Momo plays a continuing role.

Legacy & Influence

While still relatively early in her career compared to veteran artists, Momo’s influence emerges in several dimensions:

• Setting high standards for dance in K-pop: Among idols, she is often regarded as one of the top-tier dancers, raising expectations for performance quality.

• Cross-border representation: As a Japanese artist in a Korean group, she contributes to the blending of J-pop and K-pop culture, helping bridge fan communities across countries.

• Role model for persistence: Her path — from early dance training, facing setbacks, persevering — offers a model for aspiring performers who face competition and uncertainty.

• Expanding musical roles: By engaging in multiple roles (dancer, vocalist, rapper, lyricist), she shows that idols need not be pigeonholed but can evolve creatively over time.

Lessons from Momo Hirai’s Journey

From Momo’s story, several insights stand out:

1. Start young, but evolve deliberately
   Her early dance training gave foundation, but she continued evolving through auditioning, training, and performance.

2. Perseverance through rejection
   Being eliminated in Sixteen yet later reinstated highlights that setbacks are not always final — consistent effort and visibility can lead to second chances.

3. Master your craft
   She distinguishes herself especially through dance. Focusing deeply on a core strength can become one’s signature in a crowded field.

4. Cross-cultural adaptability matters
   Working in a foreign entertainment industry demands not just talent, but cultural sensitivity, language skills, and resilience.

5. Expand your creative voice gradually
   While dance is her strongest suit, she didn’t hesitate to take on vocal and rap parts, and even contribute to writing.

Conclusion

Momo Hirai is a compelling figure in today’s pop landscape — not only for her technical skill and stage presence but for her narrative of ambition, resilience, and cross-cultural artistry. As she continues to grow with TWICE, MiSaMo, and future ventures, her trajectory will likely influence how the next generation of performers conceive of identity, performance, and creative evolution.