The Victim of Sixteen: Twice Jihyo

By Kathleen Balaoing

Who remembers SIXTEEN?

Before TWICE, there was a survival show called SIXTEEN. The program followed sixteen contestants as they competed for a chance to debut, and they were evaluated on performances, visuals, and attitude. From the beginning, the girls were divided into two groups, “Major” and “Minor.” These rankings were not based on only talent but decided through work ethic, star quality, and how well each contestant fit the show’s standards.

Throughout SIXTEEN, Jihyo’s body was repeatedly brought up by a photographer and judge, even when it had little to do with her actual performances. During missions, words like “chubby” were used to describe her appearance, often disconnecting her body from her singing and dancing abilities. Rather than focusing on her skill, the photographer was frustrated with how she looked on camera.

In episode two during a photoshoot, a photographer evaluates each contestant. They praise some contestants and joke with them, calling Sana “Miss Korea” and creating a light atmosphere. When it was Jihyo’s turn, the tone shifted. The photographer looks at her outfit and quickly says, “you look fat.” The comment feels abrupt and uncomfortable. Jihyo clearly reacts but tries to laugh it off, later admitting, “I had no confidence in front of the screen so I hid… I really want there to be a dance or singing mission. I hate this…” This moment shows how visuals were prioritized over areas where she felt confident.

Later during evaluation, two judges choose Tzuyu (who was in the Minor group) over Jihyo (who was in Major) specifically because of her weight. When Park Jin-young selects Jihyo, the other judges immediately disagree, describing her as “chubby” and emphasizing that “keeping in shape is part of your career.” The conversation shifts into an explanation of why idols must maintain a certain body type, and Park Jin-young simply just nods….. In order for Jihyo to avoid elimination, she is told she must lose weight. A seventeen-year-old trainee is being told her body is the deciding factor for her future…..crazy
Jihyo later says, “I felt kind of blown off… I’m going to lose weight.” Despite this, her talent never weakens. Her vocals remain strong and performances stay consistent. Still, she is repeatedly overlooked in favor of a specific visual standard rather than her actual skills.

Jihyo eventually debuts as the leader of TWICE and remains one of the group’s most recognizable members. Her ability to perform long, high-energy sets proves she belongs on stage. ONCES often joke through social media saying “this girl loves her job,” and it genuinely shows. She has since collaborated with major brands like Victoria’s Secret and is now the face of Venus. Even though she has moved on from SIXTEEN, the comments made about Jihyo during the show still strikes a nerve with me….. I am relieved that the K-pop industry has shifted a bit since the show aired due to their Western global popularity.
I hope that continues and companies focus more on talent than visuals. At the end of the day, Jihyo’s story matters, and it should never be ignored.