On October 13, 2026, TWICE member Dahyun stepped onto the red carpet at the Pez Hannam venue in Seoul for the launch of the ‘Secret Essence’ by sum37°. While the event was a high-profile gathering for the luxury beauty brand, the focus for global ONCE centered on a single, evocative image: Dahyun performing her signature ‘cheek poke’ pose. In an industry where visual branding is as essential as musical output, this moment was more than a routine press photo; it served as a symbolic bridge between the bright, youthful energy that defined the group’s early years and the seasoned, multifaceted artistry that characterizes their current stage of industry dominance.
Tracing the Trajectory: From ‘Cheer Up’ to Global Icons
To understand why a simple pose remains a core element of Dahyun’s public persona, one must look at the timeline of TWICE’s ascent. Since their 2015 debut, TWICE has navigated the transition from the quintessential ‘cute’ girl group concept to a mature, globe-trotting powerhouse. Dahyun, often celebrated as the group’s ‘variety queen’ and emotional anchor, has maintained a unique consistency. Her ability to pivot from the high-energy, infectious melodies of their early discography to the more sophisticated, dance-centric sounds of their later projects like ‘READY TO BE’ highlights her adaptability. This event in Hannam serves as a reminder that even as the group breaks records in Western stadiums, the core identities that fans fell in love with a decade ago remain firmly intact, anchored by these recognizable physical signatures.
The Semiotics of the ‘Cheek Poke’
Analysis of K-pop branding suggests that iconic gestures function as ‘visual anchors’ for fans, providing a sense of continuity amidst the constant evolution of musical concepts. When a veteran idol like Dahyun—a member of one of the most successful groups in history—returns to a trademark pose at a luxury beauty event, it signals a deliberate brand strategy. Unlike newer groups who are still establishing their visual identity, Dahyun is reinforcing an established brand of ‘relatable accessibility.’ This behavior mirrors the patterns of global pop stars who, even after reaching peak fame, utilize micro-gestures to maintain a parasocial connection with their fanbase. By choosing this pose, she is not merely smiling for the cameras; she is performing a brand identity that emphasizes consistency in a rapidly changing industry.
Comparative Milestones: Then vs. Now
| Metric | Early Era (2015-2017) | Current Era (2025-2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Involvement | Mass-market/Youth fashion | Luxury beauty/Global house ambassadorship |
| Public Image Focus | High-energy/Performance-based | Sophisticated/Sophistication with a signature touch |
The shift from the early days of TWICE’s career to the current era is stark. In the early stages, gestures like the ‘cheek poke’ were often tied to choreography or specific variety show antics aimed at capturing the public’s immediate attention. Today, as seen at the Pez Hannam event, the same gesture is reclaimed with a layer of poise and confidence. It no longer feels like a desperate plea for attention; it reads as an established signature of a performer who has nothing left to prove. This evolution is a testament to TWICE’s longevity. While many groups struggle to maintain a coherent identity as their sound matures, Dahyun’s consistency proves that a group’s legacy is built on the deliberate preservation of the traits that defined their origin, even while the scope of their operation expands to global luxury markets.
Community Sentiment and Industry Signaling
Within the global ONCE community, such moments often trigger a wave of nostalgia that reinforces collective identity. When a fan sees a familiar gesture repeated by an artist at a major industry event, it creates a sense of shared history. It acts as an unspoken dialogue between the artist and the audience: ‘We have both come a long way, but some things never change.’ This resonates deeply with fans who have followed the group since their ‘Sixteen’ survival show days. From an industry perspective, this signals that TWICE is successfully managing their transition into ‘legacy act’ status. They are not chasing trends to stay relevant; they are utilizing their established cachet to dominate sectors, such as high-end beauty, where authenticity and brand loyalty are the primary drivers of consumer engagement.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
As we look toward the remainder of 2026 and beyond, this appearance by Dahyun sets a clear tone for the individual activities of TWICE members. The group is entering a phase where personal brand development is just as crucial as collective group releases. We can anticipate more of these ‘signature moments’—strategic callbacks that remind audiences of the depth of TWICE’s influence. As the music industry continues to fragment and listeners seek deeper connections with artists, the ability to balance high-fashion sophistication with the ‘human’ moments that fans adore will be the ultimate differentiator. Dahyun’s ‘cheek poke’ at the sum37° event is a masterclass in this balance, signaling that while the group is now operating at the highest echelons of global stardom, they are committed to the personal legacy that built their empire. Moving forward, the industry should expect to see more of these deliberate juxtapositions: the global star and the familiar friend, packaged in a single, perfectly calculated moment for the lens.
