10 years later, TWICE is still in its golden era
The K-pop group, who performed two nights in Hamilton, proved why it is still one of the top bands in the world
(Photo credit: JYP Entertainment)
How does a group stay at the top of its game 10 years later? One only needs to look at TWICE to understand why the powerhouse K-pop group continues to be as popular as it is.
On March 6 and 7, the girl group played two shows in Hamilton’s newly renovated TD Coliseum, marking the band’s second return to the GTHA since the band’s first appearance in Toronto in 2023.
Since its debut in 2015, TWICE’s star has only continued to rise. While its beginnings were marked by bubblegum pop and girlish concepts with songs like “Cheer Up” and “Likey”, the group has been able to evolve in recent years.
The last three years marked a transition to more powerful anthems, with the members embracing their femininity and flirty sides in hits like "Moonlight Sunrise” and “Strategy.” The ladies of TWICE have also taken on more fierce and independent personas. Just one listen to “This is For” is enough to make you feel empowered.
I was excited to see TWICE return to Canada since 2023 (this time around, the band performed in Vancouver, Montreal and Hamilton). After all, the K-pop group has had a massive 2025—from contributing to the soundtrack for the film KPop Demon Hunters, headlining Lollapalooza to performing at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. In fact, the band’s impact was so massive during the latter event, that a bra worn by member Tzuyu at the VS show immediately sold out.
In Hamilton, I was surprised to see tickets for the TWICE concert moved slower than usual, compared to other dates. Several in the audience even ended up with seat upgrades. Perhaps it was the fact that commuting from Toronto to Hamilton is not for the weak (give yourself 1.5 hours there and back on the train or bus). I thought I was a brave soldier, doing the journey two days in a row. But by Sunday, I needed a full rest day.
(Photo credit: JYP Entertainment)
Still, it was fantastic to finally see the new renovations done at TD Coliseum, having attended both Blackpink and ATEEZ concerts there in 2022. The vibe back then gave old hockey arena vibes, with very little space to move around. But this time around. getting into the venue was a breeze and very organized. The seats also felt kind of luxurious!
Now when it comes to the show, I was impressed to see TWICE going with a 360 stage, allowing fans to see each of the members from all angles—whether they were in the pit, sitting in the lower bowl or the nosebleeds.
The first night, Jihyo came towards my section multiple times, and I was completely captivated by her. A common sentiment in K-pop spaces is that Jihyo is a woman who absolutely loves her job, and I can completely see why. From the vocals to choreography, she never missed a cue or move. This tour has been relentless schedule-wise. When comparing Jihyo’s energy to her members, I could tell that some of them seemed exhausted and a bit out of it. It perhaps also didn’t help that many in the audience stayed put filming on their phones, only to get up from their seats when members of TWICE called them out to stand up.
Dahyun, who is currently on leave recovering from a fractured ankle, was also sorely missed. Known for her energetic and funny personality, she played a huge role in riling the crowd up in Toronto back in 2023—even encouraging them to bark for her. Her absence made me realize just how important a role she plays in the dynamic of TWICE. Perhaps there would have been more energy had she been around?
While members of TWICE seemed a bit more subdued than the performances I witnessed in 2023, the show was still a spectacle from start to finish. The members were backed by an amazing live band. A crew of dancers also populated the entire 360 stage during higher-energy numbers, giving fans across the arena a great view of the show. The stage also moved up and down, adding more dimension to the concert.
Witnessing TWICE ten years into its career is proof of the group’s professionalism and confidence. It was showcased through the group numbers like the girl-power anthem “Right Hand Girl” to each of the members’ solo stages. Jeongyeon embraced her country side, going full Cowboy Carter during her performance of “Fix a Drink”. Momo displayed the precision of her dancing in “Move Like That”—showing the audience exactly why the K-pop industry has dubbed her the “dancing machine.” And Jihyo caught the most screams for her attitude-filled performance of “ATM” (co-written by KPop Demon Hunters songwriter EJAE, by the way!).
(Photo credit: JYP Entertainment)
On stage, I saw women owning their power yet still embracing their femininity and strength. While it was clear that some of the members were not feeling 100 percent (Nayeon and Jeongyeon had both mentioned they were feeling under the weather that weekend), their experience as veteran performers came through as not one vocal note or dance cue was missed.
I have always counted TWICE among my top three K-pop groups, simply because of its ability to continuously produce hit after over the years. That to me is the definition of longevity. And while several mainstream outlets often consider groups like BTS and Blackpink as household names of K-pop, TWICE should absolutely be part of that conversation.
The concert this weekend proved TWICE has more than worked their way up to the top.
For more updates, follow bunni pop on Instagram, TikTok and Threads.