Minatozaki Sana, known mononymously as Sana, was born on December 29, 1996, in Tennōji-ku, Osaka, Japan. She is the only child in her family. From a young age, Sana was drawn to performing arts and aspired to become a singer and dancer. Her interest in K-pop was sparked by the rising popularity of groups like Girls' Generation and KARA in Japan.
In 2009, Sana began her training at EXPG (Exile Professional Gym) in Osaka, a renowned dance and vocal studio. Initially, she aimed to pursue a singing career in Japan. However, during her middle school years, she was scouted by a JYP Entertainment employee while shopping at Osaka's Namba Walk. This led to her participation in the 2011 JYP Japan Audition, where she performed the choreography of Girls' Generation's "Mr. Taxi." She passed the audition and moved to South Korea in April 2012 to join JYP Entertainment's trainee program.
After more than three years of training, Sana debuted as a member of the girl group TWICE in October 2015. Her journey from Osaka to becoming a K-pop idol is a testament to her dedication and passion for music and performance.
Sana Minatozaki, known simply as Sana, is a Japanese singer and dancer based in South Korea. She is a member of the popular K-pop girl group TWICE, formed by JYP Entertainment. Sana's career began in 2015 and has since flourished with notable achievements.
Early Career and TWICE Formation
In 2015, Sana participated in the reality survival show "Sixteen," which was designed to select the members of TWICE. Out of the sixteen contestants, Sana was chosen as one of the nine members of the group. TWICE officially debuted on October 20, 2015, with the extended play "The Story Begins" and the lead single "Like Ooh-Ahh." The music video for "Like Ooh-Ahh" became the first K-pop debut song to reach 100 million views on YouTube.
Solo Endeavors
In February 2021, Sana became the first member of TWICE to release a solo single. She covered the song "Sotsugyou" by the Japanese band Kobukuro. The cover was released as a digital single through Warner Music Japan. A version featuring Kobukuro themselves was released in March 2021.
Subunit: MiSaMo
In February 2023, JYP Entertainment announced that Sana, along with fellow TWICE members Momo and Mina, would debut as a subunit named MiSaMo. Their debut extended play, titled "Masterpiece," was released on July 26, 2023. Prior to the trio's debut, they released the track "Bouquet" as part of the soundtrack for the Japanese drama series "Liaison: Kodomo no Kokoro Shinryoujo."
Sana's journey from her early training to becoming a member of TWICE and later a part of MiSaMo showcases her dedication and passion for music and performance.
As of 2025, Sana Twice, a member of the K-pop group TWICE, has an estimated net worth of around $3 million USD. Her wealth comes from various sources, including her activities with TWICE, solo projects, and brand endorsements. Sana has been involved in multiple high-profile business deals, making her one of the wealthiest members of TWICE.