Chapter 192
Chapter 192
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 193
Chapter Title: Logan's Chart Domination
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Elkind Logan's new album was titled LOGAN, straight-up using his own last name as the album name.
The title tracks were Yeah, I’m Logan.
A track with a title that sounded a bit arrogant—like, "Yeah, I'm Logan"—but one that he, as the GOAT, could pull off,
and Remembering You.
These double title tracks were featured prominently.
Beyond those two, the 14th studio album packed with 12 more songs drew massive attention.
It had been 9 years since his last studio album, or about 5 years if you just counted new song releases, but the real buzz came from it being a collaboration with Yuin, who was currently holding down the #1 spot on Melboard.
-Can Logan really snag the top spot?
-Given Storm Surge's momentum right now, it won't be easy?
-Honestly, Storm Surge isn't Logan's style anyway, so from his perspective, it's like a showdown between his original style and Yeonwoo's, right?
-That's true, but either way, neither side loses, do they?
-Yeah.
-They can both smile even while battling for #1.
-Whether it's Yuin's album or Elkind Logan's, that's the only difference.
The albums' creators were different, but both were joint works by the two artists anyway.
And among the title tracks, anyone who listened to Remembering You was blown away.
Why?
-Featuring Olivia Snow?
-Is this for real?
-No way, now she's a set menu with Yuin?
-Olivia Snow's collaborating with other singers now that she's working with Yuin.
-That's wild.
-Elkind Logan collaborates a lot, but Olivia Snow? That's so out of character.
-Maybe working with Yuin changed her mindset—like, collaborating with others isn't so bad?
-Nah, it's more like "working with Yuin isn't bad."
-Exactly. She's singing with Elkind Logan, but it's still a Yuin production.
-FYI, Olivia Snow's still in Korea, at Yuin's place.
-Part of the family now?
-Pretty much treated that way.
Originally, Olivia Snow was set to feature on a brighter B-side track, but after hearing Remembering You, she insisted on singing the chorus.
Elkind Logan and Yuin initially opposed it, but they let her try a test recording at her insistence—and discovered her shocking talent.
When Olivia Snow hit the low notes, her voice turned incredibly sorrowful, totally unlike her usual bright vibe.
For Yuin, it was astonishing.
A talent even the fairies hadn't spotted.
Or maybe the fairies hadn't mentioned it because it wasn't needed until now.
He'd never asked her to convey sadness before.
Actually, thinking back, he'd overlooked it when she sang Frosted Cracker.
He'd forgotten that aching intro she delivered.
Fair enough, though.
Who would associate sadness with Olivia Snow, who spent her days at home scratching her butt, not washing her hair, and lounging around like a freeloading big sis?
Anyway, that's how Remembering You came to life and hit the world.
Time passed, and Elkind Logan's album LOGAN dropped its first-week results.
1. Remembering You
2. Storm Surge
3. Yeah, I’m Logan
Yuin's 10-week reign finally came to an end.
But everyone accepted it.
The song was just too good, a collab between the hip-hop GOAT, the genius of the century, and the queen of Grammys.
Unlike Storm Surge's 1+1, this was 2+1.
No—add the premium of it being the hip-hop GOAT's long-awaited album, and it was stacked with every buff imaginable.
Elkind Logan's fully buffed album dominated the Melboard chart, except for pushing Storm Surge to #2.
* * *
-Son, heading back to the States now.
-Brought stuff you'll like.
-Amelia's over the moon. Wish you and your mom could've come too.
Elkind Logan Jr., son of Elkind Logan, checked his dad's message and let out a smirk.
Father-son relationships are weirdly similar worldwide, transcending race, country, and generation.
Best friends in childhood, but hitting puberty pulls them apart, and by the time you realize your dad's greatness, it's too late—the bond's awkward.
Same with Elkind Logan and Jr.
He loved his dad, but the awkwardness was inevitable.
The difference from other families? While he felt awkward, his dad was always consistently kind to him.
Even when he brought home his wife.
Dad treated her like his own daughter.
She loved him for it too, so unlike other families with no contact, theirs had plenty of visits.
It ramped up even more after Amelia—his daughter and the Logan family treasure—was born.
‘I’ve got nothing left to envy in this world anymore, Junior. You?’
His dad, now a young grandpa, had asked that.
Elkind Logan Jr. didn't answer, but he agreed.
He thought they'd be happy forever.
Until his wife died.
Everything crumbled.
No—shattered.
The man who'd conquered New York non-stop was utterly destroyed, drowning in booze as a total loser.
Losing his wife hit that hard.
One day, wasted as usual, he decided to follow her.
Never touched drugs before, but hey, easy to get in this country.
He stocked up and planned to OD.
Hating himself for choosing this painless coward's way, even in his misery.
Right as he was about to check out.
“Dad?”
His daughter's voice.
He set down the syringe and had to face Amelia.
“Dad, no booze today?”
Her innocent question left him speechless.
Wife was gone, but his daughter had been watching him all along.
Seeing her happy he wasn't drinking? He was even more lost for words.
He broke down crying and called his dad.
“Dad... save me.”
He really wanted to live.
That's how he returned to his parents' arms, and here he was now.
His dad didn't coddle or console him specially.
Just silently stayed by his side.
While this wreck of a son rebuilt himself, Dad cared for his hurt granddaughter nonstop, filling the void.
Elkind Logan Jr. felt deep gratitude for his father.
But even he hadn't realized one thing.
His wife's death hadn't just grieved him and his daughter.
Like always when Dad dropped new songs or albums, listening to Remembering You let him feel it.
How much Dad cherished and loved his departed daughter-in-law. How heartbroken Dad had been after she left.
And that he'd truly seen her as his own daughter.
Yet Dad was still trying to comfort his mom, him, and even his daughter.
So Elkind Logan Jr. listened to Remembering You and cried his heart out.
-Yeah, Dad. Miss you too on Melboard. Hurry back.
That's why Elkind Logan Jr. mustered a more honest, embarrassing "I miss you."
-Yeah, Dad misses you too. Coming soon.
Dad was always the same.
* * *
While Elkind Logan, Yuin, and even Olivia Snow were shaking up Melboard from the States.
“This won't cut it. You've gotta capture the feel more. Ride the groove. You can do it, right, Noona?”
The recording studio demon was at it again with a new take.
-Uh, yeah, I'll give it my best.
“Yeah. Push the ends out smoothly, like you're driving it forward. Got it?”
-Yes.
Yeonwoo eyed Harin sharply. Harin started her rap in that signature voice, just as instructed.
As Harin wrapped her part, Yeonwoo beamed.
“See? You nailed it when you tried.”
-......Yeah.
Beyond the booth, Harin forced a smile, utterly drained.
Just this one line of her part had taken two hours.
Voice shredded like it was ground into the recording, but weirdly, Yeonwoo sensed any throat strain like a ghost and called breaks.
Seemed super efficient, but for the victim, it screamed: that angelic pretty kid beyond the booth is actually a demon.
“Alright, next...”
As Harin staggered out, Yeonwoo turned.
The members on the sofa tensed up.
Who’s the next sacrifice?
Yeonwoo's sharp gaze scanned quickly.
“Just Jia Noona and Sora Noona left, right?”
Yeah, everyone else finished their solo parts.
Just these two.
They'd done takes already, but some parts hadn't passed yet.
“Jia Noona first?”
“Y-Yes...”
Jia entered the booth with a world-ending look.
Black Diamond got shredded by the recording studio demon like this, but after hearing the final product, they knew their efforts weren't wasted.
It was the best track they'd ever made—unmatched even among all their releases.
They—and SSHIN—wrapped up the track in record time while ramping up massive promotion.
[Former Black Pearl, Relaunching as Black Diamond.]
[Now It's Black Diamond.]
[Black Diamond: We're Stronger Than Ever!]
They spread their name through media, launched new SNS and YouTube channels.
Then dropped short teaser videos on Black Diamond's official channels, SNS, and SSHIN's.
A black diamond sparkling brilliantly, a date flashes, cuts to black, with a snippet of EDM sound.
An obvious comeback teaser.
-Already?
-How long since switching agencies and new music drops?
-This week's release real? ㄷ
-End text gave me chills ㄷ
-BLACK DIA + YUIN
-Yuin made Black Pearl...
-Black Pearl? It's Black Diamond.
-Lol, meanwhile BS Ent was so pathetic lol, straight sniping Black Diamond? Lol
-Not just sniping—sued claiming name theft cuz similar?
-What besides color is similar?
-Just let it go and manage your image... already bad rep.
-Lol yeah.
As Black Diamond announced their surprise comeback, their old agency BS Entertainment fired back with articles sniping them hard.
They rushed Black Pearl 2 preparations, dropping their own teasers to sabotage.
But they couldn't stop it.
Black Diamond's digital release.
After two failed albums and whispers they'd peaked, days of humiliation.
Reborn from Black Pearl as Black Diamond, could they pay it back?
All eyes turned to Black Diamond.