February 3, 2012. JYPE was in the middle of internal discussions regarding the debut plan for the newcomer, Han Woo-sung.
Park Jinyoung: "How about letting him debut as a solo singer? His vocal skills have already reached the standard for debut."
director Choi Min-hwan: "Him, solo? Are you writing the songs for him? If he debuts alone, can he even get popular? Do you think everyone is IU?" Other directors and department heads chimed in: "That's right! I think it's better to let him wait for the next boy group debut!"
Park Jinyoung responded: "I've discussed it with him. Debuting solo was his own suggestion, and he will handle the song production and choreography himself."
Choi Min-hwan said speechlessly: "What makes you think the songs he writes will be hits! Who does he think he is? JYP's G-Dragon?"
Park Jinyoung spread his hands: "Am I not discussing this with you all? I didn't say he absolutely must debut solo; I just feel a solo debut is the best arrangement for him."
Choi Min-hwan laughed out of anger: "'Solo debut is the best arrangement'! I think you're treating him like your own son! Is this what 'discussing' looks like to you? Why didn't you say anything last year instead of coming out with a solo debut claim this year? He was originally planned as a member of the new boy group, and now you want him to go solo with one word. Do you even respect us?"
Park Jinyoung stopped pretending: "Since that's the case, there's no need for further discussion. Han Woo-sung will debut solo."
Choi Min-hwan was furious: "Shibal, Park Jinyoung, you'll regret this." Park Jinyoung: "I've never been more clear-headed, and I don't believe I'll regret it." Choi Min-hwan stood up and stormed out of the conference room.
Park Jinyoung ignored him: "Now let's discuss the production of Han Woo-sung's debut album and his stage name. I think using the last two characters of his name as the stage name is fine. Leave the album production, promotion, and MV recording to the people in Division 1."
...Han Woo-sung's 2012-2013 Ability Panel: Born January 9, 1996. Height: 173cm (2012), 177cm (2013). Visuals: 90 (2012), 93 (2013). Weight: 61kg (2012). Vocals: 90 (2012), 92 (2013). Rap: 85 (2012), 90 (2013). Songwriting/Production: 95 (2012), 97 (2013). Acting: 80 (2012), 82 (2013). Psychology: 99. Ambition: 99. Skill: Natural Born Artist (Abilities increase by 5% when on stage or filming). Negative Skill: Blunt (Will speak his inner thoughts when questioned).
Han Woo-sung joined JYP in 2004. Because his parents were murdered in 2004 in retaliation for their roles as prosecutors, the then eight-year-old boy survived because he was playing at his uncle Park Jinyoung's house.
Park Jinyoung didn't know how to take care of a child, so he let him play with the Trainees at the company. When Han Woo-sung came into contact with Trainees, his eyes could see his own and other Artists' ability values. Wanting to see what his skills could do, Han Woo-sung began practicing vocals, dance, and acting classes.
Park Jinyoung found Han Woo-sung, who was choreographing, and said: "Once you finish the choreography, you can start preparing for the debut plan. But are you sure you want to release three versions of the album: Japanese, Korean, and English?"
Han Woo-sung responded: "Uncle, I've already submitted the songs to you. Do you think I'm joking?" Park Jinyoung: "Address me by my title at work; there's no uncle here." Han Woo-sung: "Alright, director Park." Park Jinyoung: "Do you think I won't discipline you?"
Looking at his expression, Park Jinyoung asked helplessly: "The MV for the English album needs a male and female lead. Do you think we should use a debuted Artist or an undebuted Trainee?"
Han Woo-sung: "Is Noona Suzy okay?" Park Jinyoung: "I'll have Suzy clear some time to help you. For the Korean debut song, I'll also have Suzy feature on the female vocals."
Han Woo-sung looked at his uncle speechlessly and said: "Is Noona Suzy's singing okay? I don't even want to talk about her vocals. Besides being good-looking and having some money at home, what else does Noona Suzy have?"
Park Jinyoung: "Then swap to another song with more rap. You do the rap part, Suzy can do the female vocals, and we'll find Sunye to help with the harmonies and high notes." Han Woo-sung: "Fine then, let's change the title track to 'Skyfall'. And add 'Prayer to You Back Then' to the Japanese album." After saying that, he went to the recording studio with Park Jinyoung to record.
One afternoon at one o'clock, after finishing their morning practice, the Trainees went to the cafeteria to eat. Park Jihyo said to Im Nayeon and Yoo Jeongyeon, who had just arrived two years ago: "I heard Woo-sung Oppa is debuting solo. Have you two heard?"
Yoo Jeongyeon replied: "How could the two of us know about something like that? Jihyo, why don't you send him a text and ask?"
Im Nayeon chimed in: "Jihyo, in all of JYP, only you and he have been Trainees for so many years. If you ask, I'm sure Oppa will tell you. After all, you practiced together for two years."
Park Jihyo blushed and retorted: "Hey! I've told you, we just practiced together for a long time. I've never dated him, so don't go spreading rumors everywhere!"
Im Nayeon looked at Park Jihyo with a mischievous grin and said: "I didn't say you dated him. Why are you so anxious to explain yourself? Could it be true?"
Im Nayeon suddenly felt a force on her shoulder, followed by a voice saying: "I was wondering who it was. So it's you spreading dating rumors about me and Jihyo!"
Im Nayeon turned around, saw Han Woo-sung, and immediately stood up to bow: "Hello, Senior. I didn't mean to spread rumors. I heard from the male Trainee room, Kim Yugyeom Oppa and Jackson Wang Oppa, that you two were dating, so I just said a few words to my friends."
Han Woo-sung spoke up: "Jihyo and I have just practiced together for a long time, so we're familiar with each other. I usually have her record the demos for the songs I write. Besides, if I were to date, wouldn't it be better to find you or Jeongyeon since you're both so pretty?"
Yoo Jeongyeon looked at Han Woo-sung and said: "Oppa~ stop it, I'm scared. Nayeon didn't mean it; she's just very curious."
Han Woo-sung decided to scare them a bit: "So curious? Then let's use Im Nayeon to record the demo for my new song. You and she come to the recording studio tonight, and I'll tell you how to record it. Let her satisfy her curiosity."
Beside her, Im Nayeon seemed to have missed the word 'tonight' and said directly: "Thank you, Senior. I will work very hard. I'll go to the recording studio tonight."
Han Woo-sung was defeated by Im Nayeon's logic and said helplessly: "If you don't come tonight, I'll have my uncle fire you." Then he left the cafeteria in frustration, forgetting that he had left his meal card on their table.
Park Jihyo said to Im Nayeon: "Are you crazy! You're actually going just because he told you to record a demo? Didn't you hear it's at night? People are already spreading rumors about us just because we chat and I help him record demos during the day. If you're in the recording studio with him alone at night, it'll be a disaster."
Im Nayeon snapped out of it and said regretfully: "But! He just said if I don't go, he'll have me fired. What should I do!"
Yoo Jeongyeon saw the meal card on the table and, thinking it was her own, said: "Since it's come to this, let's eat first and worry about it later!"
So she took the card to pay for lunch. Since it was Jeongyeon's treat today, she swiped for three lunches, and then swiped for three dinners in the evening.
After dinner, Yoo Jeongyeon and Im Nayeon went to the recording studio door together to wait for Han Woo-sung. After a while, Han Woo-sung arrived from Park Jinyoung's office. He looked at the two of them and said: "Is my meal card with you?"
The two looked at each other, and Im Nayeon spoke up in defense: "What meal card? Don't slander us!"
Han Woo-sung: "My uncle just told me I ate six meals at the company! I was lectured for half an hour before I could leave. When I went to the cafeteria at noon, I left my card on the table. It must have been taken by you. Check if you have two meal cards."
Yoo Jeongyeon felt her pocket and found two meal cards. She said sheepishly: "Oppa~ Mianhae. I took the wrong one; I didn't pay attention to whether it was mine at lunch."
Han Woo-sung had a 'just as I thought' expression and said: "Forget it, if you ate it, you ate it! Consider it your fee for recording the demo. Go inside; I'll teach you how to record the song!"