TWICE is an anomaly in the K-pop world, having remained active for ten years with all of its original members intact. It’s a rare feat for a girl group, especially since their success has continued to grow globally, from headlining music festivals to expanding their fanbase.
I became a ONCE at the right time during the pandemic, when the group began moving away from their cute concepts toward mature ones that still maintained the wholesome, upbeat image that has largely defined their appeal.
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the nine-member group – Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu – released their documentary ‘ONE IN A MILL10N’ in theaters on October 20, exactly ten years after their debut.
It revisits TWICE’s journey from their debut to the present, delving into the members’ individual stories and struggles as they continue to shape their artistry within and beyond the group.
For context, TWICE was formed through the reality survival series ‘SIXTEEN,’ where 16 trainees from JYP Entertainment competed to become the agency’s next girl group after Wonder Girls and Miss A. The lineup was initially set at seven members, but two more were added: Tzuyu through public vote, and Momo through the decision of JYP founder Park Jin-young, after she was previously eliminated.
While TWICE had a strong debut with ‘Like OOH-AHH,’ it was hits like ‘CHEER UP’ and ‘TT’ that made them household names. They continued their streak with bubblegum pop tracks such as ‘KNOCK KNOCK,’ ‘SIGNAL,’ ‘LIKEY,’ ‘What Is Love?’, ‘Dance the Night Away’ and ‘YES or YES’ – all met with similar success.
In 2019, the group began shifting to a grown-up image while retaining their trademark TWICE aesthetic with ‘FANCY’ and ‘Feel Special,’ showcasing their evolution and ability to adapt to new styles, evident in darker concepts like ‘CAN’T STOP ME’ and hip-hop-driven tracks like ‘This is For.’
Around this time, they signed with Universal Music Group’s Republic Records for global distribution, expanding their reach beyond Asia, where they had already established a stronghold, including in the Philippines, as shown by their three sold-out tour stops: one in SM Mall of Asia Arena and two at the Philippine Arena.
The documentary largely focuses on TWICE’s success in the West, including the release of their first English hit ‘The Feels,’ appearances on U.S. talk shows, headlining Lollapalooza Chicago 2025, selling out the 70,000-capacity SoFi Stadium in California, and collaborating with artists like Megan Thee Stallion for ‘Stragedy.’ It also highlights their feature in Netflix’s hit animated film ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters,’ in which Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung perform their own version of ‘Takedown.’
The docu also explores their enduring popularity in Japan, where Japanese members Momo, Sana, and Mina formed the subgroup MiSaMo. It further examines the members’ solo endeavors after years of being promoted exclusively as a nine-member unit.
As much as I love TWICE, I was initially apprehensive that the documentary might come off as a mere recap or a puff piece. After all, I’ve followed their career closely through countless YouTube videos and show appearances. Thankfully, ‘ONE IN A MILL10N’ offers enough depth and insight into the members’ perspectives to make the ticket price worth it.
One of the topics tackled is the so-called seven-year curse. Any K-pop fan knows this is often a make-or-break moment for idol groups, as it marks the expiration of their original contracts when members must decide whether to renew or part ways.
The members candidly discussed how their seventh year was a turbulent time, with leader Jihyo serving as the intermediary between the group and the agency to determine their future.
The docu also discusses the temporary hiatus of Mina and Jeongyeon, who stepped away at different times due to anxiety, with Jeongyeon also recovering from a neck injury. Despite these challenges, the reason the group stayed together lies in the sisterhood they’ve built over the years – one so strong that a decade doesn’t feel long to them at all.
What the documentary manages to pull off beautifully is giving each member fair screen time to tell her own story and showcase her endeavors beyond the group. This is impressive, as across its two-hour runtime, it intersperses concert footage, interviews with industry figures and international ONCEs, and heartfelt moments that highlight each member’s shine.
It’s hard to say whether ‘ONE IN A MILL10N’ will convert non-fans into ONCEs, but as a fan myself, I’d say it’s nearly impossible not to be impressed by TWICE’s hard work and undeniable charm. ONCEs, on the other hand, will leave the theater satisfied with a documentary that perfectly encapsulates the legacy of one of K-pop’s most successful girl groups – going strong at ten, and still growing. Four stars out of five.