There are seven different types of twins known to exist in modern medical science, the most common type being identical and fraternal. Old tales would tell of how soulmates who were separated by death would be reborn again as twins. People have always had a keen fascination with twins, convinced that since they share a similar genetic makeup, they are endowed with ‘superpowers’ that ordinary siblings lack. In this issue, Top 10 of Asia shares its list of the top 10 identical and fraternal twins in Asia who have made a name for themselves in the fashion, business and entertainment worlds. After all, who better to share your successes and achievements as well as to ride the perilous waves of stardom with than your biological other half?
Ami & Aya Suzuki
Fashioning matching fuchsia bobbed coiffures, Ami and Aya Suzuki, better known as Amiaya, are a pair of Japanese twin fashion influencers and models who have taken social media and the fashion world by storm with their colourful and glamorous style. Starting their careers as a musical pop duo, they’ve graced the front rows of Paris, Milan and London Fashion Week for high-end brands like Valentino and Miu Miu, and have even been the faces of designer campaigns for the likes of Tory Burch and Mulberry.
Their passion for fashion has been an integral part of their lives with their parents owning a string of boutiques, and in following that passion, the dazzling duo are the creative directors of their very own ready-to-wear clothing brand, Jouetie based on street wear and vintage fashion.
BY2 is a Singaporean duo based in Taiwan composed of twin sisters Miko Bai and Yumi Bai. BY2 first gained attention at the start of their careers with their first two studio albums NC 16 and Twins, but it wasn’t until their third studio album, Grown Up, that gained them significant popularity, with the album topping Taiwan’s music chart, G-Music and several music charts in China.
Both sisters were exposed to the performing arts from a young age, learning the violin, piano, ballet and many other styles of dancing during their childhood, with their passion only growing as they reached adolescence. Despite being identical twins, they couldn’t be more different in terms of their personality. Miko has been described as more introverted and quiet while her sister, Yumi is more of an extroverted and outgoing person.
Kim Junsu & Kim Junho
Long-time fans of K-Pop may already be familiar with one of the two we’re about to talk about next. Kim Jun-su, also known as Xia, is a South Korean singer, dancer and stage actor. He rose to fame as a member of TVXQ, and is currently a part of pop group JYJ, a group made up of himself and two other former members of TVXQ. But not many know that he has an older fraternal twin also in the limelight.
Kim Jun-ho is a South Korean singer mainly active in Japan and China, where he is more well-known by his stage names JUNO and ZUNO, but had his named changed to Kim Moo-young after a name change back in 2014. Both twins are members of the South Korean all-star football team, FC MEN, whose make up includes other well-known Korean celebrities in the industry.
Richard and Raymond Gutierrez
Some readers might remember the next pair on our list if they’ve ever come across a reality show on E! News Asia called It Takes GUTZ To Be A Gutierrez that ran from 2014 to 2016, following the lives of the Gutierrez family, who are basically Philippines showbiz royalty, and the many hilarious escapades they get up to. The twin stars of the show were brothers Raymond and Richard Gutierrez.
Raymond is a TV host, editor, columnist, entrepreneur and occasional actor in best known for hosting Pinoy Idol in 2008, and was also one of the hosts of Showbiz Police.
Richard on the other hand is an actor, environmentalist and model. The Gutierrez twins began their acting career as children, and have worked in many movies with their father Eddie Gutierrez and other members of their family. As the sons of such a prolific Filipino icon, it only seemed natural that they would set out to do big things.
Rachel and Michelle Yeoh
Fraternal twins Rachel and Michelle Yeoh are the daughters of Dato’ Sri Michael Yeoh and Datin Sri Tina Yeoh, nieces to Tan Sri Dato’ Francis Yeoh and the granddaughters of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Yeoh Tiong Lay, the founder of YTL Corporation. Coming from an illustrious family lineage, they had the fine opportunity of being the first twins and first Malaysians to have ever debuted at the Queen Charlotte’s Ball at Kensington Palace. From gracing the covers of respected publications like Vogue Japan and Hong Kong Tatler to modelling for Dolce & Gabbana‘s Fall 2017 fashion show in Milan Fashion Week, their impressive work in fashion had led them serve on the advisory committee for the British Fashion Council, which determines the allocation of funds and grants given to designers.
Thanuja and Anuja Ananthan
Thanuja and Anuja Ananthan are a pair of TV hosts and multilingual emcees hailing from the never-ending summer land that is Malaysia. Thanuja Ananthan is a model and beauty pageant titleholder, having been crowned as Miss World Malaysia 2009 and represented her country at the Miss World 2009. An actress and Masterchef celebrity, this multi-talented lady is more than just a pretty face. When she’s not juggling the many hats she is wearing, you can find her using her influence to make a difference as an animal ambassador and activist. Her sister Anuja lives a busy life herself as a yoga guru and full-time supermom. Her Instagram is proof just how amazing of a mom she is, with snippets of all the heart-warming moments she has with her family.
Jo Young-min and Kwang-min are South Korean actors, models and singers. Both brothers started their journey to stardom as children under JYP Entertainment, one of the top entertainment companies in Korea, responsible for sell-out acts like TWICE, GOT7 and ITZY, where they trained for 2 years and eventually debuting as models and child actors in numerous commercials and dramas. They moved on to debut under Starship Entertainment as members of the idol group, BOYFRIEND. Despite having not made a comeback since 2016, the pair have been keeping busy with solo promotions both nationally and internationally, appearing on popular variety shows both together and individually.
Heo Min-jin and Min-seon
Heo Min-jin and Min-seon, best known by their stage names Choa and Way respectively, are members of Crayon Pop and its sub-unit group, Strawberry Milk (later changed to Choa & Way) under Chrome Entertainment. The group’s song ‘Bar Bar Bar’ became a viral sensation for their unusual concepts and intriguing viewers from all over the world. Their popularity even got them invited to be a part of Lady Gaga’s North American Tour as an opening act. If you haven’t heard it, it’s an extremely catchy number and still holds up to this day.
Although the group has not officially disbanded, they have been inactive since 2016. Way left the agency in 2017 and has since gone on to be a Youtuber and Twitch streamer, while her sister Choa still works in the industry under Park With Entertainment since 2018, often appearing in her sisters videos.
Valerie Krasnadewi and Veronika Krasnasari
Valerie Krasnadewi and Veronika Krasnasari are a kickass-take-no-names Indonesian modelling and entrepreneurial duo famous for being contestants in the fifth cycle of Asia’s Next Top Model representing their home country. Despite neither sibling claiming the winning title, their appearance gave them sufficient exposure to amass a large following both online and offline. Since the show, the ravishing sisters continue to model and have started successful endeavours of their own. They are the co-founders of LOOKATS, an Indonesian-based talent agency, and TWNS ECO, a platform dedicated to creating zero waste kits in support of the #beatplasticpollution movement and educating their followers on the importance of protecting the environment.
Riku and Riki Matsuda
The sporting world of football has its own set of twins in the form of Japanese footballers Riki and Riku Matsuda. Growing in a multiracial home, their father Indonesian and mother Japanese, Riki plays as a forward for Ventforet Kofu in the J2 League. His twin brother Riku plays for Cerezo Osaka as a defender. After attending Biwako Seikei Sport College for four years and becoming the side-captain, Matsuda signed on with FC Tokyo in 2014, but left after the 2015 season. It was in January 2016 that Matsuda signed with his hometown-club, Cerezo Osaka.