In a recent episode of SBS variety show Whenever Possible, TWICE’s Sana revealed a funny yet touching story of how she and fellow member Momo almost fled back to Japan before debuting.
Sana took a nostalgic look back at her early trainee days in Korea. “There was a time I seriously thought about sneaking back home in the middle of the night,” she admitted. “I even tried figuring out how to roll my suitcase quietly enough to not alert anyone.”
At just 17, she had left her home in Osaka to pursue her dream of becoming an idol in a foreign country. But homesickness and the harsh trainee life nearly made her give up.
The only thing that stopped her and Momo from boarding a plane back to Japan? “Our passports were in JYP,” she laughed. “We would’ve had to sneak into the company building to get them it was just too unrealistic.”
This light-hearted confession had fans and viewers cracking up, imagining a world where TWICE might’ve debuted with only 7 members instead of 9. “Momo was in on it too,” she added with a grin.
Sana also charmed the hosts, Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, with her naturally funny Osaka-born reactions. When Yeon-seok mentioned that Osaka locals are known for over-the-top reactions, she replied, “I used to, but now I refuse. Everyone talks about it so much in Korea, I decided not to be ‘that person’ anymore.”
Her quick wit and unfiltered comments were a hit, especially when she dropped her soon-to-be meme-worthy phrase “양념게장” (spicy marinated crab), possibly giving birth to the next viral Sana moment after her legendary “cheese kimbap” clip.
Sana’s candid storytelling and unexpected humor not only offered a rare glimpse into her trainee struggles but also reminded fans why she remains one of TWICE’s most beloved members.