TWICE’s Sana has sparked heated debate online after revealing a company policy that left many fans concerned.
During a recent appearance on Pink Cabinet alongside ILLIT’s Minju, Sana casually mentioned that JYP Entertainment holds her passport and alien registration card. She explained that the company keeps them “in case of overseas schedules” to avoid travel issues—a standard policy for many foreign artists in Korea.
However, she went on to share an unexpected problem: because she didn’t have any form of identification on her, she once had to search herself online to prove her identity. Ultimately, she decided to get a driver’s license just so she’d have a valid ID when going out.
The moment, shared widely across social media, quickly became a hot topic.
Many fans expressed unease, questioning why a senior artist like Sana isn’t trusted to hold her own documents. Some called it “controlling”, and a few even labeled it “concerning” especially considering Sana has been active under JYP since her debut in 2015.
On the other hand, others defended the practice, explaining that replacing lost passports or alien cards could take weeks or even months, potentially affecting critical schedules like overseas concerts or promotions. Some commenters, especially fans familiar with K-pop logistics, called it a “necessary precaution.”
The incident has once again highlighted the complexities of managing foreign idols in Korea, especially under agencies as large and structured as JYP.
Whether viewed as protective or restrictive, Sana’s candid revelation has reminded fans of the often unseen layers of idol life behind the scenes.
Koreaboo