Sana Joins Satoh for Film Debut
TWICE's Sana Confirmed for Acting Debut Opposite Takeru Satoh in Korea-Japan Co-Production 'Nyangi'
Key Points
Takeru Satoh brings international recognition from his iconic roles as Himura Kenshin in the live-action Rurouni Kenshin films and as Kamen Rider Den-O, adding cross-border star power to Nyangi.
Fans have already recalled Sana's prior collaboration with Takeru Satoh in MISAMO promotional content, fueling anticipation for their reunion in Nyangi.
There are conflicting reports about production companies; OSEN cites Coke and NPIO alongside JACON, while other outlets list Cox and ANFIO.
Satoh’s notable works beyond Kenshin include First Love, The Emperor's Cook, and An Incurable Case of Love, highlighting his range as an actor.
Sana is described as a Japanese singer based in South Korea, illustrating her cross-border career trajectory ahead of Nyangi.
TWICE member Sana Minatozaki is set to make her acting debut in Nyangi (working title), a Korea-Japan co-produced film, opposite Japanese actor Takeru Satoh, according to Sportskeeda and PhilStar Life. JYP Entertainment confirmed the casting on July 8, 2026, more than 11 years after Sana first debuted as an idol.
Directed by Kwon Hyuk-chan, the film will shoot in Japan in the second half of 2026. Head Topics reports the production brings together Korean companies Cox and ANFIO alongside Japan's JACON, making it a tightly knit cross-border project aimed at audiences across Asia.
Sana's First Acting Role After 11 Years in Music
Sana has been a member of TWICE since the group debuted in 2015. In that time, she built a massive fanbase as a singer and performer but never appeared in a film or drama. That changes with Nyangi, where she will play the female lead, according to Yahoo Style.
She will become the third TWICE member to pursue acting. Dahyun and Jeongyeon took on acting roles before her. Fans flooded social media with messages celebrating the news. Many used the phrase "actress Sana is coming," according to Sportskeeda.
Takeru Satoh Brings Global Star Power to Nyangi
Satoh is one of Japan's most recognized actors. He is best known for playing Himura Kenshin in the live-action Rurouni Kenshin film series, a role that earned him fans across Asia. He also starred as Kamen Rider Den-O early in his career, according to Head Topics.
His range goes well beyond action films. He has appeared in First Love, The Emperor's Cook, and An Incurable Case of Love. Pairing him with Sana gives Nyangi strong box-office appeal in both Japan and South Korea.
Prior Sana-Satoh Collab Fuels Fan Excitement
This will not be the first time Sana and Satoh have worked together. Fans quickly recalled their prior collaboration during MISAMO promotional content. MISAMO is the Japanese sub-unit of TWICE that includes Sana, Mina, and Momo. That earlier link has only raised expectations for Nyangi, according to Sportskeeda.
Sana is Japanese but has built her career in South Korea, making her a natural fit for a cross-border film. PhilStar Life notes the project is designed to appeal to audiences across Asia, and her dual fanbase in both countries gives Nyangi a built-in audience before filming even begins.
Production Details and One Conflicting Report
The production team is largely made up of Korean staff, with director Kwon Hyuk-chan leading the project. Korean companies Cox and ANFIO are involved alongside Japan's JACON. However, Sportskeeda notes that OSEN cites the Korean companies as Coke and NPIO instead, suggesting a minor discrepancy in early reports.
Filming is planned for the second half of 2026 in Japan. No release date has been announced yet. The project marks a significant step for TWICE as a group, showing that its members are expanding beyond music into film and television across two of Asia's biggest entertainment markets.
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