At the Billboard 2023 Women in Music event on March 1 at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, TWICE stole the show with its rendition of “Moonlight Sunrise.”
On enormous screens, images of each member and stunning sunrises flashed as the performance began. Throughout the sweet set, TWICE dazzled the audience with spot-on choreography as the screens were lifted to reveal the K-pop group in matching black outfits. The audience was packed with ONCE fans who were screaming.
This is the second English-language single from the K-pop group’s forthcoming mini album, Ready to Be; The first was titled “The Feels,” and it was released in October 2021. The song “Moonlight Sunrise,” which was released in January, debuted at No. 84 on the chart from February 4. “The Feels,” the predecessor, made its debut and debuted at No. 83 on the countdown dated October 16, 2021; it was also the group’s first Hot 100 hit.
TWICE, which includes Chaeyoung, Nayeon, Tzuyu, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, and Jeongyeon, received the Billboard 2023 Women in Music Breakthrough Award earlier in the evening from Sabrina Carpenter.
“I was especially thrilled they were being recognized because I’m a really big stan,” the “Nonsense” singer admitted to the audience. “They’re so talented, and now I consider myself a ONCE, which is what half this room is! I really hope this award will expose them to a wider U.S. audience.”
Chaeyoung was the first to speak when the group took the stage to accept the award. “The most magical way to start our year is to receive Breakthrough Artist at Billboard Women in Music,” she began. We have trusted each other to always be together as we move toward our future ever since we became TWICE. Because we are all standing here together in front of our fans, who helped us realize our dreams, this moment is especially significant. The fact that this title, Breakthrough Artist, demonstrates that you will succeed if you courageously pursue your goals and surround yourself with supportive individuals.
Added Tzuyu: “This accomplishment will forever motivate us to challenge ourselves to break more barriers.”
Before the event, TWICE gave an interview to Billboard about their thoughts on their growing global success despite the fact that they speak different languages. “I think it’s the songs of ours that carry TWICE’s color rather than the language in which the song is sung,” Jihyo said at the time. “I don’t think the language is that relevant in carrying out TWICE’s [identity].”
Chaeyoung added that their songwriters know each of women’s personalities and strengths well, so are able to better craft tunes for the group. “They really express our personalities well, so I think that really establishes our style,” she shared. “That’s why it carries over different languages.”
TWICE has high goals for the future, even though they have been named Billboard’s Breakthrough Artist and have begun to appear on the Hot 100. Chaeyoung previously stated to Billboard: “My personal goal going forward is to top the [Hot 100].”
