TWICE's Jihyo Considers Stepping Down as Leader: 'I Might Die Five Years Earlier'

On December 4, Jihyo, the leader of TWICE, made a candid appearance on the YouTube channel 'Naraesik,' where she shared her thoughts on leadership and her career. During the episode titled 'I Think I Might Die Five Years Earlier as a Leader of TWICE,' Jihyo opened up about her experiences and feelings regarding her role in the group.

Host Park Na-rae humorously asked Jihyo about her workout attire, jokingly suggesting she should show more skin. The conversation then shifted to what brings Jihyo happiness, to which she replied, 'I feel happy when I work,' mentioning the group's upcoming song 'Strategy,' set to be released on December 6. She expressed her hopes for a positive reception, saying, 'Since we have been around for a while, I worry a lot about how it will be received.'

As they enjoyed grilled pork belly and roasted sweet potatoes, Jihyo reflected on her journey, revealing that she became a trainee at the age of eight and debuted at nineteen. She admitted that while she once longed to play with friends, she has no regrets about her successful career.

Jihyo also discussed her struggles with burnout during the re-contracting process, expressing concerns about her future as an entertainer beyond her identity as TWICE's Jihyo. 'We can't be idols for 20 or 30 years,' she noted.

When asked about the group's re-contracting, Jihyo confirmed that most members were eager to continue and had meaningful discussions about their future, emphasizing their strong attachment to the team.

Interestingly, Jihyo revealed that she had considered stepping down as leader during the re-contracting talks, stating, 'I thought about saying I wanted to stop being the leader, but it’s just my personality.' She believes that every group needs a 'villain' and someone to voice tough opinions, a sentiment that Park Na-rae agreed with.

In a light-hearted moment, Jihyo remarked, 'I feel like being a leader isn’t too hard, but I might die five years earlier because of it,' eliciting laughter from those around her.