They turned 21 a few months ago. And as if eager to prove their new adult status, local Mandopop twins By2 are turning up the heat in skimpy outfits paired with suggestive poses to show off their cleavage and legs in an FHM Taiwan magazine photo spread.

The duo, consisting of identical twins Miko and Yumi Bai, debuted as sweet teenyboppers, but their image has taken a turn for the sultry.

Speaking to The New Paper from China, where they were rehearsing for a TV programme, the pair defended their FHM shoot by saying they were going for a healthy sexy image instead of a sleazy one.

But older sister Miko admitted: "We were quite nervous during the shoot as we were wearing skimpy clothes and were worried about wardrobe malfunctions."

She added: "It was a full-day shoot and we had to strike very difficult poses that required twists and turns. Our muscles were aching at the end of the day."

Yumi also admitted that the duo had concerns that the public might not take to their new image.

But she said: "Since we are young, we want to try different looks and styles. It was also a good way to mark our coming of age at 21 years old."

By2 were talent-spotted in 2006 at the Extraordinary Singer's Course organised by homegrown record label Ocean Butterflies' subsidiary school, MusicForest.

The duo, then students at Yio Chu Kang Secondary School, created a stir when they decided to drop out of school and skip their O levels to pursue stardom.

They were sent to Japan, China and Taiwan for vocal and dance training and are now based in Taiwan.

Known for their bubble gum pop tunes and cute, sweetie-pie image, the pair released their first album in 2008 to moderate success.

They kept their youthful image until last year, when they surprised fans with a sexy look in their photobook 2020 which portrayed them as teasing, nubile starlets in matching bikinis and soaked translucent tank tops.

If their aim was to get attention and increase sales, it worked.

The New Paper reported previously that at an autograph session in Jingzhou city, Hebei, more than 1,000 copies of the book and the accompanying EP were reportedly snapped up, with one male admirer alone buying 2,000 copies.

This time round, the girls' have upped the ante with their FHM Taiwan photoshoot, revealing even more skin.

And By2 are not the only female artistes who have gone for a new image, from squeaky-clean to sex sirens.

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