Recently Tzuyu's Mother went on social media and wrote a some-what cryptic poem about meaningless flowery speeches and unfulfilled promises. Of course ONCE [TWICE's fandom name] immediately thought the poem was referring to JYP Entertainments treatment regarding Tzuyu this year. As of writing this, it's all speculation, but fans were quick to notice that every member of TWCE has had either solo activities or sub-unit activities away from the main group except Tzuyu. So people are thinking that Tzuyu's Mom is upset that her daughter isn't getting the same treatment as the others. Mind you, the year isn't over yet and TWICE is a group that is notoriously busy, so I wouldn't be lighting the torches yet. Plus, I'm unsure what "solo activities" people say Jeongyeon is doing, but I might have missed something. It's just an observation.
The "controversy" got me thinking though: How would I use Tzuyu outside of the main TWICE activities? Obviously I'm a ONCE... I mean I'm writing a post about this on an art site that main claim to fame is pervy/edgy cartoons. Pretty sure 98% of it's user base does not care about this. But...I'm going to talk about it anyway cause I'm a fan girl. Also, Tzuyu is one of my alt bias, so you can say I kinda like her. That said, objectively speaking, I think Tzuyu works the best when paired with someone else. I don't think she's an idol that can pull a solo album like Nayeon or Jihyo. She can sing just fine, but Korean is a second language and she doesn't have a huge range vocally. It'd be best if she's in a sub-unit.
Personally, I'd love a School Meal Club unit, even if that doesn't make too much sense with the two rappers. School Meal Club consist of the youngest members in TWICE (aka Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu). They've always have chemistry together and bring out the best in their performances. BUT I do see the dangers in doing that without a strong lead vocal. Dahyun and Chaeyoung can both sing really well, but like Tzuyu their range is limited. I think Dahyun can push it vocally, but not by much. There's also the fact that Dubchaeng can go the comedy route while Tzuyu not so much. She's savage with one liners, but she's not exactly quirky given her super model appearance and they way she presents herself. So in regards to making music as a unit I'm not sure if SMC would work as much as I want it to. It's fine for variety shows, but not as an act. She can't play funny as good as the other two, which sort of defeats the point in having her in a sub-unit. We don't want to make her seem like the third wheel. As much as I want it to work, musically I'm not sure if that's possible.
A second option might be a sub-unit with Tzuyu, Jeongyeon, and one of the rappers - possibly Chaeyoung given her connection to both girls in SMC and No Jam Bros. With Jeongyeon you have your vocal lead, Tzuyu your dance/visual, and Chaeyoung your rapper. On paper it works really well, but there is an issue: Jeongyeon. Recently she's been able to fight off her anxiety and practice safer mental health, but if she's in this group she HAS TO BE the leader and I'm not sure if she's willing or even able to do this yet. That's a lot of pressure to put on Jeongyeon who really doesn't need it. Tzuyu and Chaeyoung don't have take-charge attitudes, which is why Jeongyeon has to be 100% on point. That said, I think this would actually be the best sub-unit for Tzuyu - if all the stars align.
In regards to duos I think a similar approach needs to be followed. Tzuyu is soft and sweet on stage, so you'd want someone who can do the opposite for her to play off of. Again, I think the three mentioned above are the obvious choices, but aside from them I'd pick either Jihyo, Nayeon, or Momo as a personality foil. The sad thing is that all three are doing their own solo/sub-unit things. Jihyo might actually blast past and outshine Tzuyu so you don't want to pair them up. I'm sorry Tzuyu! In a group of 9, it's fine, but just the two of them? Even if Jihyo's holding back she's just got so much stage presence that it's not fair for a duo. It can't be Jihyo. Nayeon and Tzuyu have vocal contrasts but I just can't picture what a duo for them would even look like. They are too different, but not in a complimentary way where the contrast is the draw. I think it would only sound and look awkward if it's just the two of them. Nayeon also might fall under the same issue with Jihyo and just accidentally stand out more due to her singing. So it can't be her either. Momo and Tzuyu makes a lot of sense given they are both dancers and approach things on the opposite sides - but this time in a complimentary way. You got hard and graceful. Momo has also proved in MISAMO that she can do a lot more than what people expected of her, and I think her aggressive style contrasts perfectly with Tzuyu's soft side. Their personalities would work well on stage and it'd be a chance for a more dance focused piece to be performed by the groups lead dancers.
The problem is... Momo is taken (and so are Jihyo and Nayeon). Jeongyeon, Dahyun, and Chaeyoung are literally the best partners for the duo realistically speaking. Since Jeongyeon was the issue in the three-member group, it's wouldn't change much for a duo. So she's out. Dahyun and Chaeyoung alone with Tzuyu, though, might be better than the three of them pairing up. With Dubchaeng broken up, you can get a more serious Dahyun or Chaeyoung in performing and singing. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure which of the two would work the best with Tzuyu. The fangirl in me wants Chaeyoung because she and Tzuyu are really close outside of work, but I'm not sure if that pair will be the best fit on stage. There's a reason why they are called "The Calm Sisters". Dahyun is a bit more "in-charge" and outgoing, so that already works in her favor. Out of Dubchang, I think Dahyun also has more of a vocal range, even if Chaeyoung is the better rapper. If you're teaming up with Tzuyu, I don't think rapping is going to be a big factor, so that also works for Dahyun. Dance wise, it can go either way. So the slight edge (when considering all this) is DubTzu. It's not a pairing I've ever thought about, to be honest, but when looking at their skills and how'd they play off each other - if you can't have Momo, then better be Dahyun.
So in conclusion...I really don't think there is a crazy standout person or persons who'd pair well with Tzuyu, especially when looking at who's already taken and who we have to work with. Tzuyu, by no means, is a weak link, but she isn't one that easily pairs with someone either. I'd say the same thing about Sana, to be honest, but when she has both Mina and Momo on her team it works out. If Jeongyeon was comfortable in her mental health, then I'm positive that Tzuyu and Chaeyoung would be perfect partners with her. The sub-unit would be carried by her vocals/leadership and I believe that she also wouldn't overpower the others like Nayeon or Jihyo could. Jeongyeon's strong voice works well with Tzuyu's soft one, with Chaeyoung's adding flavor. Vocally it's works. So in a perfect world, I'd go with them. As a duo Dahyun and Tzuyu with Dahyun taking on the leadership role.
ANYWAY that's what I think. Thank you for reading this all 3 of you!