in order to seek her dreams, she began to try out in auditions within korea. she claimed that she went through as many as 20 auditions. she also commented in her interview that certain companies refused to sign her to their labels because they believed she was not "pretty" enough, although she sang very well. her mother also discouraged her dream and even locked her bedroom door to prevent younha from leaving the house. younha, however, climbed out the window and made it to the audition. at one audition, she made an overwhelming impression and signed a contract with a korean company. soon after, younha's voice was heard by a company in japan. in order to make her childhood dream of debuting in japan come true, younha underwent recording while going back and forth between korea and japan. quickly, younha's japanese skills advanced so much that she surprised even the staff around her.