After entering the recording studio, Yoo Jeongyeon looked around and asked, "Oppa, what kind of song are you writing? Who do you plan to sing it with?"
Han Woo-sung glanced at her and said, "It's a rap track, but the female part is more of a ballad. Both of you should give it a try. If your voices are a better fit, I might use one of you, though for now, it's tentatively set for Senior Suzy."
Hearing this, Im Nayeon immediately said, "Senior! Let me go first. I am the number one Trainee, after all."
Looking at Im Nayeon's confident expression, Han Woo-sung said, "Then you go first. I'd like to see just how impressive the person who surpassed Jihyo in two years really is. Sing the female part once, and I'll see if anything needs improvement."
After speaking, Han Woo-sung handed her the lyrics and sheet music to let her try. After studying it for ten minutes, Im Nayeon began warming up her voice. She gave an OK gesture and started singing.
Im Nayeon's voice echoed melodiously through the recording studio. She had a delicate voice, and she delivered the subtle emotions of the ballad section perfectly. Han Woo-sung listened intently from outside, nodding slightly. Once the song finished, Im Nayeon looked at Han Woo-sung somewhat nervously.
Han Woo-sung thought for a moment and said, "The overall performance was good. Your pitch and emotional grasp are at a certain level, but you're slightly lacking in the high notes. You need to utilize your chest cavity more for vocalization." Im Nayeon nodded quickly, taking note of the advice.
Then it was Yoo Jeongyeon's turn. Taking a deep breath, she began to sing. Her voice had a unique boyish charm, giving the song a different flavor. However, she was slightly lacking in rhythm control. After listening, Han Woo-sung pointed out, "Jeongyeon, your tone is very distinctive, but you need more practice with rhythm and vocal transitions. Don't always use your chest voice for transitions, as it increases the strain on your throat." Yoo Jeongyeon also accepted the advice humbly. Han Woo-sung looked at them, thinking to himself that these two were indeed impressive, truly the best among the female Trainees.
Han Woo-sung demonstrated their mistakes and shared his understanding of vocal techniques with them. After they realized their errors, they recorded for about two hours before Han Woo-sung told them to head back.
The next afternoon, Bae Suzy arrived at the recording studio on time. She wore a simple white top and jeans, carrying a confident smile. Han Woo-sung briefly explained Im Nayeon and Yoo Jeongyeon's trial recording to her and then let her start. Bae Suzy cleared her throat, and as soon as she began, her ethereal and infectious voice instantly filled the studio. Her understanding of the song was profound; she handled everything from the graceful deep emotions of the ballad to the clever transitions into the rap perfectly.
Han Woo-sung listened intently from outside, his eyes full of admiration. Once the song was over, Bae Suzy looked at Han Woo-sung with expectation in her eyes. Han Woo-sung smiled and gave a thumbs-up. "Noona Suzy, you sang wonderfully. This song was practically made for you." Bae Suzy breathed a sigh of relief, showing a happy smile. Afterward, Han Woo-sung and Bae Suzy made further adjustments and refinements to some details.
Meanwhile, Im Nayeon and Yoo Jeongyeon had been called by Han Woo-sung during lunch to attend a Masterclass for debuting idols. They listened and learned diligently from the side, secretly vowing to work harder to improve their singing skills.
What the two didn't know was that Bae Suzy had actually finished recording a few days ago. Han Woo-sung had only asked Bae Suzy to come to tease them. Thinking of their focused expressions, Han Woo-sung couldn't help but want to laugh.
Im Nayeon looked at Han Woo-sung and said, "Thank you, Senior, for bringing us here to learn."
Han Woo-sung: "It's nothing, we're all in the same company. From now on, just call me oppa like Jeongyeon and Jihyo do!"
Hearing this, Im Nayeon immediately shouted, "Okay, oppa."
Yoo Jeongyeon watched from the side without exposing him, snickering to herself. After all, Park Jihyo was the one who told her that Han Woo-sung was younger than Im Nayeon. Of course, Yoo Jeongyeon had more important things to do, so she didn't bother exposing him.
Yoo Jeongyeon went up to Bae Suzy and said, "Senior Suzy, you're really beautiful. Could I have your autograph? I really love your group."
Seeing Yoo Jeongyeon holding last year's Miss A album, 'A Class', Bae Suzy smiled and said, "Of course. We're in the same company, and besides, you're Woo-sung's friend."
After chatting with Im Nayeon for a while, Han Woo-sung saw Bae Suzy signing an autograph for Yoo Jeongyeon and asked Nayeon, "Nayeon! Is Jeongyeon a fan of Miss A? How come I never heard Jihyo mention it?"
Im Nayeon: "I don't know either! I remember she was supposed to be a fan of Girls Generation? Maybe she started liking Senior Miss A in the last few months!"
Han Woo-sung figured that must be it and said to the three of them, "Do you have anything else to do this afternoon? I'd like to treat you to coffee, if I may?"
Bae Suzy: "I can take my coffee to go. Go buy it now; I have a schedule at 4:30."
Han Woo-sung: "What about you two?"
Yoo Jeongyeon: "The two of us don't have anything this afternoon."
Im Nayeon: "That's right, that's right. Oppa, please buy us a few cups of coffee. I want an Iced Americano."
Han Woo-sung: "Then I'll buy three Iced Americanos for you all. Wait a few minutes for me." Ten minutes later, Han Woo-sung ran back.
Bae Suzy said with a smile, "Why are you running so fast? I wouldn't want people to see this and say I'm bullying a junior into buying coffee."
Han Woo-sung explained, "Because while waiting for the coffee, I realized something—it's already three o'clock, so I ran back. noona, don't you have a schedule? Here's your coffee, you should get going."
Bae Suzy chuckled and said, "Is that so? It's fine, it's in Seoul anyway, so there's no rush. I'll be going then."
About half an hour after Bae Suzy left, Yoo Jeongyeon decided to go to Im Nayeon's house for the rest of the day and return to the company to practice tomorrow. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Park Jinyoung arrive at the door.
Park Jinyoung asked, "Why aren't you two practicing today?"
Han Woo-sung: "I asked them to come and learn the standards of a debuting Artist's recording session."
Park Jinyoung: "Fine, they're A-class Trainees anyway, so missing one day of practice isn't a problem."
After saying that, Park Jinyoung took out a USB drive and said, "You need to finish recording these English songs today. Prepare to debut on March 9th!"
Han Woo-sung: "Do you two want to learn from the side? Or go home and rest?" The two discussed it and decided to see just what level of skill this 16 or 17-year-old had to be able to debut solo.
Yoo Jeongyeon: "We've decided to learn how a senior performs songs."
After perfectly recording 'Send It', 'One More Night', and 'How Long' in an hour, Han Woo-sung said, "Can you see where the gap is?"
The two stood there dazed, not answering Han Woo-sung's question. They kept repeating to themselves, "He's about our age, how can he be this good? This must be a dream!"
Park Jinyoung laughed and said, "Look at what you've done to our Trainees. How am I supposed to explain this to their guardians!?"
Han Woo-sung: "What! What does it have to do with me? I've practiced for eight years, and besides, I'm a guy and not in a group with them. They just can't accept that they've progressed so fast, yet the gap between us is still so large."
Han Woo-sung: "Nayeon, Jeongyeon, you can go now. Don't be so surprised. I'm the only Trainee in the company who has practiced for eight years, so it's normal to be this strong. Plus, I'm very talented. You guys are also very talented; you'll probably be able to debut after four or five years of practice."
After they snapped out of it, Yoo Jeongyeon said, "Oppa, you don't have to comfort us. We wouldn't reach your level even if we practiced for eight years."
Im Nayeon said, "I'm different from Jeongyeon. I will definitely surpass you. I am the ace of JYP Entertainment!"
Han Woo-sung: "Is this a 'try not to laugh' challenge? Then I lose. Nayeon, challenging a god is simply reckless."
JYP Entertainment: After a long and strict Trainee selection process, Trainee Han Woo-sung, who began practicing on August 9, 2004, and ranked first among Trainees from '07 to '11, possessing strong songwriting and composing abilities, our company has decided to debut him as JYP Entertainment's strongest Solo Artist. Stage name: YS. Born in... The Only Ok Taec-yeon: "Instead of making a good album for our oppas, why are you debuting a solo singer to split the resources? I suggest Park Jinyoung find a building to jump off. Likes: 169,854"
The next day, JYP Entertainment: The Artist YS, originally scheduled to debut in May, will now officially debut on KBS Music Bank on March 9th due to unforeseen circumstances. Album title: 'Zero'.