Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Yuin's Mini Album [STAR]
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June.
Unlike the distant past, now as soon as June rolls around, air conditioners start humming to life everywhere.
The moment people step inside from the hot, humid outdoors and feel that cool, refreshing blast of AC, they start thinking, *Ah, summer's almost here.*
It had been about three months since Yeonwoo released *Sun* on YouTube.
By now, people were getting curious.
-When's our Yuin coming back? ㅠ
-Isn't Yuin composing anymore these days?
-She said she was taking a break during that nationwide trip, and now no news on new songs ㅠ
-Uesugi Himari's 20th anniversary concert was her last official activity ㅠ
-I miss hearing Yuin sing ㅠ
-No YouTube uploads lately either ㅠ
-Oh yeah, come to think of it, Yuin's vlogs haven't even hit three since the trip? ㅠ
-Busy with Olivia Snow?
-Olivia Snow still hasn't gone back to the States?
-They practically live together?
-Jealous of Snow ㅠㅠㅠ I wanna live like that with Yuin too ㅠ
Truth be told, a three-month hiatus wasn't that long.
No, it was downright weird that fans were already missing Yeonwoo this much.
But after two years of churning out over 30 songs with nonstop activity, it made sense that these three months felt like forever.
Then, a short video dropped simultaneously on the JOP official channel, JOP Korea channel, and SSHIN channel.
A boy emitting a faint glow in the darkness, his back to the camera, slowly approaches the piano, places his hands on the keys, plays a brief melody, and then the blackout curtains fall.
And...
20XX.07.15.
The teaser ends, pointing to the date.
-What? Is our Yuin dropping an album?
-Our Yuin isn't a singer, though?
-Maybe just some instrumental stuff?
-Even if it's instrumental, I'll buy the album no question ㅠ Yuinie ㅠㅠㅠ Please show up on a music show at least once ㅠㅠㅠ
-If it's just piano, can she even go on one?
-She could do something like *Chae Hana's Late Night*?
-That's at night, though?
-Recordings are daytime lol
-I don't know, just show us your face, Yuin ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
People figured the teaser was for an album compiling Yeonwoo's instrumental pieces.
But a few days later, a new teaser changed everything.
Beneath Yeonwoo, a universe unfolds with five stars shining, slowly zooming in.
And inside those stars? Five people—none other than Hadass.
-What?
-What's this teaser?
-Not Yuin's album, but Hadass's?
-If it was Hadass's, BSK would've promoted it.
-So Hadass featuring on Yuin's album?
-You don't usually put features front and center in teasers?
-No ;;;
-Never seen that before?
-What's going on? ㅠ
As curiosity peaked, inquiries flooded JOP, SSHIN, and even Hadass's side—but no answers came.
Communities and YouTube exploded with speculation. The next day, a teaser dropped: Lee Si-eun in her High Teen Rock 'n' Roll outfit, walking, turning to face the camera with a bright smile, then the screen cuts to her holding a small hand.
-No way ;;; Now it's Si-eun?
-What the heck is this? ㅠ
-That small hand is obviously Yuin's, right?
-ㅇㅇㅇ
-Maybe Yuin's dropping an album and they're featuring?
-No one puts features this front in teasers ;;; Think about it ;
-It could happen.
-Maybe like 017A or Robo, bringing in guest vocals for activities?
-;;;;Why?
-Nah, that actually makes sense.
-Speculation going wild lololol Some YouTuber already theorized this lololol It's the top guess on communities right now.
-lolololol
With Hadass followed by Lee Si-eun, people started hitting on the truth.
But they had no idea.
It wasn't just them.
The fourth teaser.
The Queen of the Grammys had descended.
Her face wasn't fully shown. But Ha-gwan standing close to the mic, her signature blonde hair—anyone could tell it was Olivia Snow.
-Mic god;;;;
-Olivia Snow ㄷ
-Insane booking power ;;;;;
-That's why Olivia Snow came to Korea ㄷ
-Practically living at Yuin's place ;;;
-Jealous ㅠ I wanna crash at Yuin's too ㅠ Watch her every move ㅠ
-Guy above, that's what we call sasaeng...
With this insane lineup teased, all eyes turned to Yeonwoo's album.
July 15.
Everyone eagerly awaited the day.
June passed, July arrived, and the killer heat was already in full swing. Normally, this time of year, idols and variety stars teamed up with popular singers for summer tracks.
But it was dead silent.
No one wanted to clash with the dinosaur that was Yuin, led by Olivia Snow herself.
Finally, Yuin's first album dropped.
**Yuin Mini 1st [STAR]**
**TRACK LIST**
1. STAR
Yuin’s Piano
2. From Cracker
Vocal by. Olivia Snow
3. Rising Star
Vocal by. Lee Si-eun
4. Keep Going
Vocal by. Hadass
A mini album with four tracks, plus four music videos, and the waiters gathered.
* * *
In his eight years of life, Yeonwoo had released countless songs without ever once worrying they'd flop.
The fairies were an absolute indicator.
The more varied the fairies, the more guaranteed the hit.
The tracks on this album were no different.
No, most were pulled from his top folder, producing a record-breaking fairy swarm.
And that was just the start.
A brand-new green fairy had joined, tailored perfectly to the concept—this album couldn't fail if it tried.
But...
"Yeonwoo-ya, stop staring at Mango. Rankings don't change by the minute, only hourly at best."
Still, he felt anxious, jittery.
"I know, but..."
Yeonwoo stared blankly at the Mango real-time chart.
Just over an hour since release.
For a fresh album, charting in the top 100 across all tracks was a solid start.
"Wait a bit more. These songs would be weird if they didn't hit top 10."
Yeonwoo nodded at his aunt's words. But his eyes stayed glued to Mango.
Fed up, Jiyeong stood up.
"This won't do."
"Huh?"
"If I leave you like this, you'll stare at charts all day. Time for drastic measures."
"What measures?"
"Dinner out. My treat!"
Yeonwoo finally set down his phone.
"What're we eating?!"
"Meat, obviously! Celebrating Yeonwoo's first album with a family feast!"
*[What are you two talking about?]*
Olivia Snow walked in from behind, asking.
*[Oh, Ollie. Was just about to call you. We're heading out for Yeonwoo's first album release celebration.]*
Olivia's eyes lit up at Jiyeong's words.
*[Meat?]*
*[Look at you craving meat—you're fully Korean now.]*
As his idol-turned-friend chatted away, transcending age, Yeonwoo hopped up and dashed to the living room.
He spotted Heo Ok relaxing in the massage chair he'd bought her recently and ran over.
"Grandma! Aunt's treating us to meat!"
"Oh my, what's the occasion?"
"Right? Grandma, get ready quick! We're going for the priciest stuff!"
"Pricey meat? Haven't mooched off my girl in ages. Let's hit the fanciest beef joint in the neighborhood."
"Yeah!"
Yeonwoo nodded vigorously and headed to his room.
Inside, Jihoon was listening to the new tracks with earbuds in.
Spotting Yeonwoo, he pulled them out.
"Yeonwoo-ya, heard 'em early, but streaming's not bad either."
"Dad, not the time! Aunt's buying meat today!"
"What? Your aunt? She okay? This is out of character."
Yeonwoo's grandma and dad's reactions made the family's view of Aunt crystal clear.
Whose fault was that?
Pondering briefly, Yeonwoo ran to his aunt, who was talking with Olivia Snow.
"Aunt, spend some money on the family."
"Huh? What's that suddenly?"
"You know... cheapskate! Yeah, you're getting cheapskate vibes!"
"What? Me? I spend plenty on myself!"
"That's the problem—only on yourself!"
Jiyeong was speechless.
She hadn't spent much, what with Mom and bro around.
Still...
She narrowed her eyes at Yeonwoo.
"Fine, but you calling me cheapskate? You've mooched off me plenty!"
"Normal aunts buy their nephews tteokbokki at least! And you've got money!"
*Is that what a richer kid should say?* But Jiyeong groaned and said,
"Alright, I'll stuff you with the priciest meat till you burst!"
And so, the family plus Olivia Snow headed out.
Their destination: a swanky new Hanwoo restaurant.
Private, with no view from outside, individual rooms.
The grilling and serving staff recognized them, froze for a sec, but pros that they were, guided them in smoothly.
Seated, Heo Ok eyed the menu and gasped.
"100g for *that*? One serving here could get five-plus at Majang-dong."
"Right? You sure you can handle this, sis?"
At Mom and bro's reactions, Jiyeong declared confidently,
"I've got this! Order whatever, no holding back!"
Yeonwoo turned to the hovering server.
"Boss, Hanwoo yukhoe grande, sirloin one, ribeye one, tenderloin one, and shrimp one. Oh, rice and doenjang jjigae too."
Smooth as silk, like a regular. Jiyeong blinked.
"You been here?"
"Nope, just read the menu. Studied cuts before, know 'em all."
An eight-year-old studying beef cuts?
Gonna open a restaurant?
Still, Yeonwoo's pro order let the family feast.
"Serving" was small; they demolished over ten in a flash.
Yeonwoo ate the most, still called for mulnaengmyeon and seasoned short ribs to finish.
Stuffed, he suddenly checked the time.
Just past three hours since release.
Yeonwoo frantically pulled up Mango.
"Ah...!"
"Come on, rankings won't budge much yet. Why keep checking?"
At Jiyeong's words, Yeonwoo silently showed her his screen.
**Mango Real-Time Chart**
**Yuin Mini 1st [STAR]**
**TRACK LIST**
1. From Cracker
Yuin / Vocal by. Olivia Snow
"Oh my."
In just three hours, the title track had claimed real-time #1.