John Park: Infinite's The Golden Voice

Training + Come Back Again

June 2010

The next half year John could describe was busy. With the help of Epik High the boys were out under a series of strict and odd training. They were all encouraged to harmonize which John did without much problem. Only issue was that some weren't the sharpest with vocals. Vocal lessons were his area of expertise so you can imagine how much he dreaded dance practice.

"Why are we in front of the Han River?" Woohyun asked.

"I've placed you all here because you are going to learn to synchronize. If we want to show off our best moves, then we need to discipline you. By the end of it you will learn to dance and sing on par with rookie groups." Jongyeop explained.

"That's great, but why are you staying on your bike? Aren't you gonna help us?" Dongwoo asked.

"I'm merely here to supervise. I'm not the one who is going to debut. Your job is to follow instructions. The Han River serves as a perfect visual. Focus on just the river and nothing else. Drown out any unnecessary distractions." Jongyeop instructed.

"This is stupid! Ain't no way this gonna help one bit. You're wasting our time with this!" Hoya huffed.

"Can you keep it down I'm trying to concentrate." Myungsoo pleaded as everybody else remained focused.

"This is so stupid!" Hoya huffed again.

This was their routine everyday for six months. Sungkyu was the most helpful, providing words of encouragement. Woohyun too served at the team sport. The only minor problem was Hoya who would complain at every opportunity.

They made their first appearance as backing vocalists for Epik High as a promotional song for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Tablo's home city.

After two months of training John started noticing his improvement in his footworks and vocal. He felt he could dance on par with the likes of Hoya and Woohyun.

"You're getting better at this John-ah. I'm so proud of you!" Jongyeop congratulated him.

"Gamsahabnida I still have a long way to go." John said taking a breather.

"Your Korean is sounding more natural."

"Tablo sunbae has helped me a lot in teaching me to be more comfortable with Korean. I owe a lot to him." John said with gratitude.

In the month of April, the upcoming group appeared in a variety with You're my Oppa featuring a young girl named Yoo Jiae who played the "sister".

It was a pretty entertaining show in John's opinion. He got to show a little of his funny side and was known as the responsible oppa. The girl's persona was a bratty sister who wanted love and affection and she did a great job with it, maybe a little too good...

She would eat a lot and not do her work. It took a great deal of patience to work with her. Hoya nearly snapped at her on a several occasions. It all culminated in a teary farewell with Jiae sending a letter of gratitude. Each of the boys cried their tears out, even John felt her sincerity. She wished them good luck on their debut and after that was their final preparations.

"Finally we get to debut!!" Sungjong said relieved training session is over.

"It's about time. I was beginning to think it was going to be forever." Sungkyu said with a relieved laugh.