Momo on a decade of making impact

It’s been a busy year for the nine-member K-pop girl group, Twice. In just the past few months, the group has scored its inaugural Billboard number one debut via With YOU-th, a booming EP consisting of energising synth-pop and drum and bass anthems such as ‘I Got You’ and ‘One Spark’. At the heart of it? A celebration of female friendship and a no-holds-barred love letter to each other. It seems fitting that almost a decade since their debut in 2015—via JYP entertainment’s survival show, Sixteen—Momo, Sana, Mina, Nayeon, Tzuyu, Chaeyoung, Jeongyeon, Dahyun and Jihyo have formed an unbreakable bond.

It’s their camaraderie that has earned the third-generation band the nod of Nation’s Girl Group, underscored by numerous accolades, from sweeping international success to bona fide chart dominance. Playing an integral part in this is 27-year-old singer, rapper and dancer Momo Hirai, who is better known as Momo. The Japan-born starlet has won the hearts of fans all over the world for her dance prowess, but she’s since shown her mettle in other areas. In October 2022, she was named the ambassador for Japanese brand, Onitsuka Tiger, decked out in its high-impact spring/summer 2024 offerings. Hirai, who is known for her off-duty yet striking outfits, is steadily becoming one to watch in the fashion universe. “I always try out different styles because you never know if it’ll look good on you or not until you give it a go. These days, I get a lot of inspiration from old music videos and magazines.”

Now, fresh from the Fashion Week circuit and having wrapped up the Ready to Be world tour, Hirai is gearing up for her most impactful season yet. Here, she talks about a decade of growth, the importance of rest and what she’s looking forward to next.

Hi Momo! It’s been nearly a decade since Twice debuted. Could you share how this has influenced your career?
There’s a certain emotion that comes up during concerts that I don’t feel on a daily basis. When interacting with our fans, I feel infinitely grateful for them. Since we have been doing a lot of individual schedules these days, I don’t see my fellow members every day anymore. So when I do meet up with them, it always feels like home and I feel a sense of security. On a personal level, I think I have matured mentally and grown a lot while experiencing unexpected hardships and happenings.

What have been some of your favourite songs or milestones from the past decade?
My favourite song is ‘Feel Special’. The lyrics are really meaningful and our fans love it when we sing it at concerts. Dancing is one of the biggest reasons why I am a part of Twice. I would say I’m the happiest when I’m dancing.

Your fashion sense has evolved over the years. How did you discover your personal style?
After I debuted, not only did I have the opportunity to try a lot of different pieces, but I also learnt a lot from our fans’ reactions to different looks. I love discovering new clothes and brands.

“My mental well-being is not an issue for me thanks to my fellow members. If there is something on our minds, we listen to each other and talk it out with one another. It’s important to express your feelings when you’re having a hard time.”

Tell us about your ongoing relationship with Onitsuka Tiger.
In the beginning, I had the chance to work on a magazine shoot with Onitsuka Tiger. I instantly fell in love with the brand, so it’s such a big honour to be working with them as their ambassador. I love that Onitsuka Tiger’s pieces come in beautiful colours that are unique to the brand. Their designs are simple yet serve as the perfect finish to every outfit.

What were your favourite moments from our Vogue Singapore photo shoot?
I tried on a chic make-up look during this shoot which I usually don’t wear often, but my stylists were cheering me on the whole time, complimenting me on how cool the images looked.

How do you maintain your physical and mental well-being amid the demanding tour schedules?
My mental well-being is not an issue for me thanks to my fellow members. If there is something on our minds, we listen to each other and talk it out with one another. It’s important to express your feelings when you’re having a hard time. Physically, I try to rest and relax when I’m not working. I work out when I have a lot of time on my hands, but I don’t push and force myself to exercise. Working out intensively and forcefully makes you more tired, so I like to go when I feel at peace mentally.

Reflecting on the Ready To Be world tour in 2023, were there any standout moments for you during your visit to Singapore?
I always eat chilli crab and fried rice with my fellow members whenever I visit Singapore. During this tour, we ate it as soon as we got to the hotel. Also, whenever I visit, I think back on the time we went there to film a reality show in our early days.

What are some of your favourite memories from the world tour?
Every city we go to has a different crowd, so interacting with them is always a fun aspect of touring. Also, I love that we are able to try delicious traditional foods from different cultures.

Are there any specific goals or aspirations you hope to pursue?
My goal is to meet as many Once fans from as many countries as possible together with my fellow members and just have a fun time performing. Also, I would love to rank number one on Billboard 100.

What’s next that fans can look forward to?
Twice, Misamo and I have a lot of group and individual schedules prepared for the future and will always continue to try our best, so please look forward to our upcoming schedules and I hope to see our fans more often.