Tzuyu’s Profile
- Real Name: Chou Tzu-yu
- Native Name: 周子瑜
- Nicknames: Chocolate
- Birthday: Jun 14, 1999 (26 years old)
- Blood type: A
- Height/Weight: 172 cm (5’8") / 50 kg (110 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Debut: October 20, 2015
- Position: Sub Vocalist, Visual, Maknae
- MBTI: ISFP
- Birthplace: Tainan, Taiwan
- Education: Hanlim Multi Art School
-
Nationality:
Taiwanese
- Profession: Singer
- Languages: Mandarin, Korean
- Group: TWICE
Tzuyu, whose full name is Chou Tzu-yu, was born on June 14, 1999, in Tainan, Taiwan. She is a member of the K-pop girl group TWICE under JYP Entertainment, South Korea. Among the nine members of TWICE, Tzuyu serves as the visual and is the youngest member.
Early Life
Tzuyu was born into a business-oriented family in Tainan City, Taiwan. Her father, Chou Hui-wen (周惠文), is a local entrepreneur, while her mother, Lam Mei-ting (林美庭), works in the beauty and services industry. Her older brother, Chou Yi-hsiu (周祐修), is 7 years older than her and works in the trade sector. Before moving to South Korea to become a trainee, Tzuyu studied at Fuxing Junior High School in Tainan. In 2019, she graduated from the Practical Arts Department at Hanlim Multi Art High School in South Korea.
Career
In 2012, at the age of 13, Tzuyu was discovered at a dance center in Tainan. She moved to South Korea later that same year after being selected by a JYP Entertainment scout during an audition. Leaving home at such a young age placed her in a position to become independent early on in the rigorous and hierarchical idol training environment in South Korea, which also involved language and cultural challenges.
Tzuyu officially debuted in October 2015 with TWICE’s mini album The Story Begins. From the very beginning, she became the representative image of the group in international markets, especially in regions like China, Taiwan, and Thailand, due to her Taiwanese roots and her appearance that fit the aesthetic preferences of these areas.
In 2024, Tzuyu released her first solo mini-album abouTZU, which contains six tracks performed primarily in Korean, with the title track Run Away being promoted on major music stages in South Korea. This marked her debut as a solo artist, performing independently without the other members of TWICE, signaling a new phase in her career after more than nine years of group activities.
Challenges
The 2016 flag incident put Tzuyu at the center of controversy and forced TWICE to cancel several promotional plans in China during the early stages of their career. Tzuyu became an example of how young artists can face political repercussions beyond their control, especially when they are foreigners working in South Korea.
Additionally, her limited public speaking and personality expression in front of the media often led to her being criticized as “too quiet” or “lackluster” in variety shows. Her infrequent solo appearances led to her being less recognized compared to other members of TWICE who had more prominent solo activities, such as Nayeon or Sana.
Despite the scandal, Tzuyu continued to work with TWICE, contributing to numerous music releases such as Cheer Up, TT, Likey, Fancy, Feel Special, I Can’t Stop Me, and Japanese releases. By 2025, TWICE had held three major world tours, with Tzuyu being particularly spotlighted by the Taiwanese and Japanese media during their international concerts.
Strengths
Tzuyu serves as the visual and sub-dancer in TWICE. With her face matching the Asian aesthetic standard, her height of 1.72 meters and well-proportioned body, she holds a central position in most performances, MVs, and group photos.
Beyond her appearance, she maintains a steady performance in dance routines. During TWICE’s 4th World Tour III at Tokyo Dome (April 2022), Tzuyu performed the full killing part of the song Cry For Me, showcasing her ability to maintain high-level dance technique even at high speeds.
In 2024, Tzuyu completed an online master’s program in Applied Psychology in collaboration with the Miguel de Cervantes University in Spain (ETtoday Taiwan, February 2024).
Besides her native Mandarin Chinese, Tzuyu is fluent in Korean for daily activities and can communicate in basic English and Japanese – essential skills for a multi-market oriented group like TWICE.
Fashion
Tzuyu’s fashion style tends toward simplicity and elegance. In her everyday life, she prefers basic items such as cardigans, high-waisted denim, and long-sleeve blouses. Korean netizens often describe her style as the “Taiwanese schoolgirl princess style.”
On platforms like Instagram or in behind-the-scenes videos, she often opts for oversized white t-shirts, wide-legged jeans, canvas jackets, and neutral-colored sneakers. Her fashion choices aren’t dictated by fleeting trends but instead focus on practicality and reusability in daily life.
On stage, she favors bodycon dresses or short skirts with high slits that accentuate her height and long legs.
Since 2023, Tzuyu has represented several prominent brands, including appearing on the cover of ELLE Japan, a prestigious Japanese magazine, with the Spring/Summer 2024 collection of Max Mara, the high-end fashion brand from Italy. She is also a “Friend of the House” for AMI Paris, a renowned fashion label based in Paris, and has participated in major events such as Paris Fashion Week for the Fall/Winter 2024 and Spring/Summer 2025 collections.
Fun Facts
- Tzuyu is the tallest member of TWICE.
- She loves dogs and has a dog named Gucci, a Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix.
- Tzuyu won a silver medal in archery at the MBC Idol Star Athletics Championships in 2019.
- Tzuyu is the quietest member in TWICE, often described as the most introverted.
- Tzuyu has a habit of sleeping in a straight position, almost like a stick.
- She has a doll named “Go Minjoong,” reflecting her gentle and anxious personality.
- She is a fan of Pokémon, with Eevee being her favorite character.
- Tzuyu doesn’t like taking selfies because she feels others have already taken enough pictures of her.
- She is a huge fan of sweet foods, especially cakes and chocolate.
- Tzuyu enjoys drawing and often shares her artwork with the other TWICE members.
- Tzuyu started her music career at the age of 13.
Photo Gallery
