🎭 Did you know three Japanese women in a K-pop supergroup just broke the speed record for reaching Tokyo Dome—and are now heading for Japan's National Stadium with 80,000 fans per night?
MISAMO, the sub-unit formed by TWICE's Japanese members MINA, SANA, and MOMO, just held their first-ever listening party in Harajuku, Tokyo, to celebrate their debut full album 'PLAY.' What makes this story remarkable isn't just the music—it's the trajectory. From a 15:1 ticket lottery at their debut showcase to filling Tokyo Dome in just 539 days, and now being part of TWICE's historic National Stadium concerts, these three women are rewriting K-pop history from the inside.
A Theatrical Pop-Up Takes Over Harajuku
On February 7, 2026, MISAMO appeared at Cranes 6142, an event space in the Jingumae area of Harajuku, for the launch of "MISAMO 1st Listening Party 'PLAY.'" The three-day event (February 7–9) was exclusively open to lottery-winning members of ONCE JAPAN, TWICE's official Japanese fan club.
At the press conference on opening day, all three members appeared in sleek, black-themed outfits that showcased their individual styles. The venue featured costume displays from the 'PLAY' music videos, photo booths, signed scripts, set recreations, merchandise sales, and even a mailbox where fans could send personal letters to MISAMO. For the lucky few who won tickets, it was truly stepping into the album's world.
MOMO described the event as a departure from their previous releases: "Our earlier albums had more powerful, cool tracks, but this time we wanted to create a bright, uplifting world that cheers people up." SANA added, "This is MISAMO's first listening party, and we prepared so many things for everyone to enjoy. We hope you can fully experience the world of 'Confetti' and 'PLAY.'"
Inside 'PLAY': A 12-Track Theatrical Finale
Released on February 4, 2026, 'PLAY' is the concluding chapter of MISAMO's album trilogy, following 'Masterpiece' (2023) and 'HAUTE COUTURE' (2024). It's also their first full-length album, containing 12 tracks depending on the edition.
The concept revolves around theater and art. MINA explained: "Following the 'art' theme from our previous work, we packed this album with many different concepts so people can enjoy it visually, too." The title track "Confetti" delivers a celebratory, feel-good message—life is an improvised performance, and even when your day goes sideways, you can pick yourself up and celebrate.
The music video for "Confetti" fully commits to the theatrical concept, with MISAMO switching characters and genres as if performing in a live stage production. In a surprising promotional twist, popular Japanese actor Takeru Satoh appeared as the "host" in the album's highlight medley video, amplifying the buzz around the release.
Each member also gets a solo spotlight: MOMO's "Kitty," SANA's "Ma Cherry," and MINA's "Turning Tables." MINA teased her solo by saying, "There's a cool rap scene that I haven't shown before," drawing laughs and excitement from the press.
The Numbers Behind MISAMO's Rise
MISAMO debuted in July 2023 as TWICE's first-ever sub-unit. TWICE (pronounced "twais") is a nine-member multinational girl group under South Korea's JYP Entertainment, consisting of three Japanese members (MOMO, SANA, MINA), five Korean members, and one Taiwanese member. MISAMO is the unit of its three Japanese members, with the name formed from the first syllables of their names (MI-na, SA-na, MO-mo).
The speed of their ascent has been remarkable. Their debut showcase saw 600,000 applications for just 40,000 tickets—a 15:1 ratio. Later that year, they performed at NHK's Kōhaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle), Japan's most prestigious New Year's Eve music program, watched by tens of millions.
Their first dome tour, "HAUTE COUTURE" (2024–2025), drew 250,000 fans across six shows at Belluna Dome, Kyocera Dome Osaka, and Tokyo Dome. The Tokyo Dome performance came just 539 days after their debut—the fastest a female artist has ever reached that iconic venue. For comparison, NewJeans took 703 days and NiziU took 709 days.
TWICE's Path to the National Stadium
MISAMO's momentum feeds directly into TWICE's broader 2026 story. The parent group's sixth world tour, "THIS IS FOR," has been a commercial juggernaut. In Japan alone, their 2025 four-city dome tour (Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Tokyo) drew 400,000 fans across eight shows. Globally, the tour's first 24 reported shows generated $93.8 million in gross revenue with nearly 672,000 tickets sold.
The tour's Japanese finale brought an electrifying surprise announcement: TWICE will perform at MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium) on April 25, 26, and 28, 2026, with approximately 80,000 fans expected per show—a total of 240,000 across three days. This will make TWICE the first foreign artist to headline the renovated National Stadium, an achievement that resonates deeply in a country where concert venue records carry enormous cultural weight.
The timing is significant. TWICE debuted in 2015, making 2025–2026 their 10th anniversary year. The National Stadium shows are positioned as a milestone celebration, and every attendee will receive a commemorative digital ticket.
MISAMO's Harajuku listening party, then, isn't just an album promotion—it's a key moment in an extraordinary year for the TWICE ecosystem, bridging their sub-unit artistry with the parent group's biggest-ever Japanese spectacle.
Why Japanese Members Matter in K-Pop
One of the reasons TWICE has maintained such a powerful presence in Japan—arguably the world's second-largest music market—is the genuine cultural bridge that MINA, SANA, and MOMO provide. Unlike many K-pop acts that rely on subtitles and translators, these three communicate natively with Japanese fans, appear on variety shows, and forge connections that go beyond music.
MINA recently became the Japan Brand Ambassador for luxury fashion house Fendi. SANA is widely recognized across Japanese entertainment. MOMO's dance skills have earned her cult status in global dance communities. Together as MISAMO, they represent something unique in the K-pop landscape: members who are simultaneously at home in both the Korean pop system and the Japanese entertainment world.
TWICE's participation in Netflix's 'K-Pop Demon Hunters'—now the platform's most-watched movie of all time—and their history-making headline set at Lollapalooza 2025 (the first female K-pop group to do so) only underscore how global this story has become.
Your Turn: Does Your Country Have Members in Global Groups?
In Japan, the success of MINA, SANA, and MOMO within a Korean group is a source of considerable national pride. Fans follow not just their TWICE activities but also their MISAMO solo ventures, fashion campaigns, and cultural moments with intense devotion.
Does your country have performers who are members of major international music groups? How does their success shape fan culture back home? Whether it's a singer in a K-pop group, a musician in a Western band, or a dancer in a global crew, we'd love to hear about how "one of your own" on the world stage affects how people engage with music and entertainment. Share your stories!
References
- https://www.wwdjapan.com/articles/2318833
- https://www.newscafe.ne.jp/article/2026/02/07/3000537.html
- https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/e842c21e8bca68557634de70d8f7fa06bf3ad778
- https://www.twicejapan.com/news/detail/1934
- https://kpopping.com/news/2026/Feb/5/MISAMO-Drop-Debut-Full-Album-Play-With-Theatrical-Title-Track-Confetti
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiSaMo
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_For_World_Tour
- https://kstyle.com/article.ksn?articleNo=2254640
Reactions in Japan
I won the lottery for the Harajuku listening party! The photo booth setups were incredible—felt like I'd stepped into the world of PLAY. The mailbox for letters to the three members was the most touching part.
Once you hear the chorus of Confetti, it sticks in your head. I loved the cool vibe of their previous work too, but this brightness suits MISAMO perfectly.
Honestly, I thought 12 tracks for just three members might be too many. But after listening, every song—including the solos—had its own personality and never got boring. Sorry I doubted them.
Have you heard MINA's rap in Turning Tables??? THAT Mina??? The gap is insane—I've lost count of how many times I've replayed it.
When you think about it, a Japanese unit within a Korean group filling domes and completing an album trilogy is an amazing era we're living in.
I'm genuinely devastated that I lost the lottery and couldn't attend. Can't even buy the exclusive merch. I'm a member, so why... They should've at least livestreamed it.
I knew Takeru Satoh was in the promo, but the collab overshadowed the actual music. The songs are genuinely good and deserve their own spotlight.
TWICE's tour and MISAMO's album are running simultaneously, and my wallet can't keep up. I also won National Stadium tickets, plus merch and multiple CD editions... Being a fan is like ascetic training.
I'm a woman in my 50s who got into MISAMO after my daughter introduced me to them. It makes me happy seeing fellow Japanese people standing confidently at the forefront of K-pop. The PLAY jacket photos are stunning.
Choosing Harajuku for the event was a smart move. Instead of a dome or arena, giving fans a pop-up experience of the album's world fits today's fan culture perfectly.
Deep Eden's sound is exactly my taste. Listening to the whole album feels like watching a single stage performance—the sequencing is brilliant.
539 days from debut to Tokyo Dome is a number that feels like a glitch no matter how many times I hear it. Achieving this without TWICE's name headlining proves the trio's own strength.
Isn't this just JYP's smart strategy? I acknowledge the members' talent, but you can't deny that this is a commercial unit specifically targeting the Japanese market.
Isn't 80,000 people × 3 nights at the National Stadium with all 9 TWICE members insanely historic? It's the first time for a foreign artist. Knowing MISAMO's three will be on that stage gives me chills.
Ma Cherry is so quintessentially Sana and adorable. It's only 1:49 long, which feels too short, but that concentrated sweetness is actually addictive.
Seeing the event reports, isn't it harsh that only W-members get the member talk show? They should make it equal for all fan club members.
Just saw the THIS IS FOR tour in LA, and then MISAMO drops PLAY—as a MOMO bias, February is wild. Confetti is the perfect West Coast driving soundtrack.
ONCE from Mexico here. The fact that MISAMO can fill arenas and domes as just three members is pretty unusual even within K-pop. Congrats on completing the trilogy.
As a Korean fan, I'm happy to see the Japanese members succeeding with their own unit in Japan, but honestly I wish they had more Korean activities too. Would've loved a PLAY release event in Korea.
From France—I absolutely love the musical-theater style of Confetti. The set changes in the MV feel like a real stage production. I think it could really resonate with musical theater fans in Europe.
Taiwanese ONCE here—got literal goosebumps when I heard about the 3-night National Stadium shows. The Kaohsiung concerts were reported to have generated over $15.9 million in tourism revenue. TWICE's pulling power is monstrous.
TWICE's popularity is definitely growing in India too. What's interesting is how MISAMO bridges J-pop and K-pop. MINA's rap in Turning Tables was an unexpected delight.
Honestly, putting this much effort into a sub-unit's full album is just JYP being commercially savvy. But since the result is genuinely high-quality music, I can't complain.
From Sweden. The concept of a listening party in Harajuku is lovely. Sharing the album's world with fans in an intimate setting rather than a massive concert could easily become a trend in Scandinavia too.
From the Philippines. I went to the Bulacan concert—MOMO's dancing is truly on another level. When I heard she has a solo called Kitty on PLAY, I checked it immediately. It's the dance track I expected and more.
I remember the Sydney shows selling 50,000 tickets instantly. But MISAMO's activities are Japan-only, which is a bit lonely for overseas fans. Hoping for a world tour someday.
I'm a Japanese-Brazilian living in Brazil. MISAMO's activities where SANA, MINA, and MOMO express their music in Japanese are a source of pride for Japanese people living abroad too. The PLAY packaging is so detailed you want to collect them all.
From Saudi Arabia. With K-pop exploding in the Middle East, a unit like MISAMO proves that K-pop isn't exclusively Korean. It's a global phenomenon built by people of many nationalities.
I live in a small town in Czechia, but I'm planning to see the London show on TWICE's European tour. PLAY is perfect preparation. Not a Goodbye is my favorite track.
I'm a new fan who discovered TWICE through Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters and traced my way to MISAMO. I've listened to the whole trilogy, and you can really hear the growth. PLAY has the highest level of polish.