What Happened to TWICE Mina’s Face? Unable to Show It at Concert Due to Severe Swelling, She Apologizes and ONCEs Are Heartbroken
If you're a TWICE fan, your feed has probably been flooded with the phrase “what happened to Mina’s face” over the past couple of days. Honestly, the first time I saw the clips from the Taipei Dome concert, I was shocked. How could Mina, who always carries herself with such elegance and is affectionately called our “penguin,” have a face so swollen? To the point where she had to wear a veil and couldn’t face her fans directly to apologize—it truly broke every ONCE’s heart.
More Than Just a Cold? A Health Concern Surfaces at the Taipei Dome
Here’s what went down. Right after TWICE’s concert at the Taipei Dome wrapped up, fan communities were buzzing. Aside from the emotional moment when Tzu-yu finally performed her solo debut track on her home turf, saying it was something she’d “waited a long time for,” the other major talking point was Mina’s condition. During the encore, her face was almost swollen to twice its size. Even though she continued to run around the stage with the members, every time the camera focused on her, she instinctively covered up with her hands or a fan. At the final farewell, when she was trying to flash a heart sign to the audience, she couldn’t show her full face and ended up repeatedly bowing in apology. It was truly heartbreaking to witness.
Right then, I knew this wasn’t just simple bloating from a salty meal the night before. The extent of the swelling, combined with her need to conceal it, made me—someone who’s been around the industry for a while—suspect that it was a genuine health issue, one she simply couldn’t hide. This led many fans to start a “what happened to Mina’s face review,” looking back at previous tour stops and even recent airport photos, trying to piece together any clues.
Scouring the Internet for Answers: A Fan-Curated “What Happened to Mina’s Face Guide”
As a veteran of the entertainment scene, seeing the fans so worried, I’ve put together some of the current, most plausible explanations. Think of this as an unofficial “what happened to Mina’s face guide”—food for thought, though ultimately, we’re all hoping the agency will release an official statement.
- Allergic Reaction: This is the most common speculation. The recent shift in Taiwan's weather, combined with the intense stage lights, smoke effects, and the constant rotation of makeup and hair products during the concert, can easily trigger severe allergic hives or contact dermatitis. If it’s an allergy, facial swelling is a classic symptom, and to avoid medication affecting her stamina, artists often just have to push through.
- Dental or Oral Issues: Another possibility is an inflamed wisdom tooth or a periapical cyst. These can be incredibly painful and cause one side of the face to swell up instantly, sometimes making it difficult to even open the mouth to sing. If this is the case, Mina’s ability to complete the performance is a testament to her professionalism.
- Immune System Imbalance from Fatigue: Tour schedules are grueling, constantly hopping from one country to another. It takes a toll on even the strongest bodies. When your immune system dips, your body can experience various inflammatory responses, with facial swelling being just one sign. This usually requires a significant period of rest to fully recover from.
How to Handle Our Idol’s “Imperfection”? A Lesson for All of Us
Speaking of this, I also want to touch on the sentiment behind the phrase “how to use what happened to Mina’s face.” Of course, “use” here isn’t literal—it’s about how we, as fans, should approach this situation. Our first instinct is to feel heartbroken for our idol, but that can sometimes lead to conspiracy theories or overly critical scrutiny.
I have to say, real love means giving her space when she’s not at her best. Instead of constantly tagging the company demanding answers or spreading unverified speculation, let’s just cheer louder at the concerts and leave warm, encouraging messages on social media. Like Tzu-yu said, standing on her home stage was a dream she’d waited a long time for, and Mina also gave her absolute all for this performance. Her choice to not miss the show is a sign of her respect for the fans.
So, rather than obsessing over “what happened to Mina’s face,” let’s reframe the question into “what can we do for Mina.” I think the answer is simple: keep supporting TWICE, letting them know that no matter what happens, ONCE will always be their strongest support system. As for the swelling, let’s leave that to the medical professionals. All we can do is wait quietly for her to recover and return to the stage as our beautiful “Black Swan.” Sounds good, right?