TWICE’s Sana Confirms Acting Debut Opposite Takeru Satoh in Korea-Japan Film

TWICE member Sana is set to make her acting debut, adding a new chapter to one of K-pop’s most recognizable careers. JYP Entertainment confirmed on July 8 that Sana has accepted a role in the upcoming film Nyan, a working title for a Korea-Japan co-production that will pair her with Japanese actor Takeru Satoh.

The casting makes the project notable on several fronts. It marks Sana’s first screen role after 11 years in the public eye as a member of TWICE, and it places her in a lead pairing with Satoh, a major name in Japanese film and television. Korean reports describe the film as a joint production between Korean and Japanese partners, with location filming expected to begin in Japan later this year.

According to reports, director Kwon Hyuk Chan is attached to helm the project. Production is being handled by Korean companies COX and NPIO alongside Japan’s JACON, with Korean production teams expected to oversee the shoot. While plot details remain limited, the casting alone has already drawn attention because of Sana’s popularity in both Korea and Japan and Satoh’s established profile with viewers across Asia.

A major first step for Sana

Sana debuted with TWICE in 2015 and became one of the group’s defining personalities as the nine-member act rose from domestic breakout success to global touring power. Her move into acting arrives as TWICE continues to operate as a full group while individual members take on wider projects in music, fashion, variety, and screen work.

For fans, the significance is not simply that Sana has joined a film. It is that she is doing so after more than a decade of being known almost entirely through music performance, live stages, fan content, and brand appearances. A scripted film role asks for a different kind of public presence, and it will likely become one of the most closely watched idol-to-actor transitions of the year.

JYP Entertainment’s confirmation also gives the project firmer footing after initial reports of Sana’s involvement. StarNews quoted the agency as saying that Sana had confirmed her appearance in Nyan, while Sports Kyunghyang reported that she had received the script offer and decided to join the film. Those confirmations shift the story from casting speculation to an official career expansion.

Why Takeru Satoh’s casting matters

Satoh brings a different kind of audience to the project. He is widely known for leading the live-action Rurouni Kenshin films and has remained visible internationally through romantic dramas including Netflix’s First Love. Korean outlets also noted his familiarity to local audiences through Japanese series and his reputation as a romance lead.

There is already a small connection between Satoh and Sana’s orbit. Sports Kyunghyang noted that Satoh appeared in highlight medley material for PLAY, the Japanese full-length album by MISAMO, the TWICE unit made up of Mina, Sana, and Momo. That earlier appearance was promotional, but it now gives the film casting an added point of interest for fans who follow TWICE’s Japanese activities closely.

The pairing also fits a broader entertainment trend: projects designed to travel across language and market lines from the beginning. A Korea-Japan film led by a TWICE member and a Japanese star has obvious promotional reach, particularly if the production leans into both markets rather than treating one as an afterthought.

TWICE continues a busy year

Sana’s acting debut will unfold while TWICE remains active as a touring group. Reports noted that TWICE is currently on the THIS IS FOR world tour, with Seoul performances at KSPO Dome scheduled for July 10 through July 12. That timing underlines how packed the group’s calendar remains even as members pursue individual projects.

Several TWICE members have been widening their professional range in recent years. Dahyun has also moved into acting, while Jeongyeon and others have built separate visibility through entertainment programs and individual schedules. Sana’s film debut now adds a high-profile cross-border screen project to that list.

For now, key details such as the final title, release timing, character descriptions, and distribution plans have not been announced. What is clear is that Nyan will be watched closely by K-pop fans, Japanese drama viewers, and industry observers tracking how major idol careers evolve after their first decade.

If the film lands well, it could give Sana a durable path beyond cameo-level screen appearances and help position her as a performer with reach in both music and acting. If nothing else, the casting confirms that one of TWICE’s most familiar faces is preparing for a public test in a new medium.