Recently, TC Candler gradually announced the nominees for its annual “The 100 most beautiful faces” list for 2026, a global ranking that always arouses considerable interest from the public. Among the latest names revealed, the appearance of Tzuyu, the youngest member of TWICE, immediately attracted attention. Notably, TC Candler also released statistics showing that the idol received a total of 12 nominations, a rare achievement even among internationally recognized stars.
Tzuyu (Chinese name: Chou Tzuyu) was born on June 14, 1999 in Tainan, Taiwan. He is the youngest and most visual member of TWICE under JYP Entertainment. He first gained widespread public attention after competing in the 2015 survival reality show Sixteenwho selected the lineup for TWICE. From her first appearances, Tzuyu soon stood out thanks to her tall stature of approximately 170 cm and refined and harmonious facial features.
Soon after her debut, Tzuyu became one of the most prominent beauty icons of the third generation of K-pop. Her images have attracted not only Asian media but also global attention, leading to frequent appearances in international beauty rankings. His name has long been associated with that of TC Candler “The 100 most beautiful faces” list. From 2015 to 2025 the idol appeared in the ranking for 11 consecutive years. In 2019, it even took first place, officially earning the title of “The most beautiful face in the world”. In 2025, it continued to demonstrate strong popularity by ranking 20th.
Throughout her career, several viral moments have highlighted Tzuyu’s beauty. One of the most shared images was his dramatic one “hair flipping” during the archery event at the Idol Star Track and Field Championships in 2016. The brief moment quickly spread across social media and cemented his reputation as “visual among the visual”, a nickname often used by other idols. His striking appearance helped maintain strong public recognition even during times when his individual activities were relatively limited.
However, Tzuyu’s career faced great controversy from the beginning. In 2015, when he was just 16 years old, the idol was involved in a sensitive political controversy during an appearance on a Korean variety program. The incident sparked a massive backlash in mainland China, leading to the cancellation of numerous sponsorship deals. TWICE subsequently found it difficult to appear on Chinese TV channels. A public apology video in which Tzuyu bowed deeply shocked international audiences and became one of the most controversial moments in K-pop history. For many years afterward, it actually was “prohibited” from the main Chinese television platforms, limiting the group’s activities on the market.
Beyond the media controversy, Tzuyu has also faced criticism regarding her performance abilities. Within the group’s lineup, the 1999-born idol is not generally considered the strongest in vocals or dancing. Compared to key members such as Jihyo and Nayeon, who serve as the group’s lead singers, or Momo, widely known for her dancing prowess, Tzuyu has sometimes been seen as less technically important. Over the years, critics have occasionally labeled it a “only visual idol”, questioning the growth in his performances over his decade-long career.
In September 2024, Tzuyu officially debuted as a solo artist with the mini album about TZUwith the title track Run away. The release displayed refined visuals and style, but was still considered somewhat safe musically and did not achieve major digital chart breakthroughs in Korea or across Asia. As a result, some observers continued to debate his individual star power outside of the success of the group TWICE.
In recent years, as TWICE has gradually moved towards a more mature image, Tzuyu has also evolved her personal style, embracing a more feminine and sophisticated concept. In October 2025, she appeared alongside fellow members Momo, Nayeon and Jihyo at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Although the live performance sparked some debate, Tzuyu still became a prominent figure thanks to her striking figure and bold stage presence. Images from the event quickly spread across social media, further cementing her reputation as one of K-pop’s most recognized beauty icons.
After many years of working abroad due to past controversies, November 2025 marked a significant milestone for Tzuyu when TWICE held a concert in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It was one of the rare occasions in nearly a decade that the idol was able to officially perform in his hometown. To celebrate its return, the city lit up several buildings in blue – a color closely associated with Tzuyu. For the idol the concert represented more than a simple performance; it symbolized the closing of a long and turbulent chapter in his career, after years of facing restrictions while not being able to promote freely in his homeland.
Sources: K14
