In fairness, I have been putting off finding a new K-pop group to start obsessing over because one really hasn’t presented itself like all of the others have. P1harmony was my last group because of the chance to get to see them live (and meet them!), but the Youtube algorithms haven’t been pushing anyone on me too hard these days.
Well, when I was in Kores and spending the day with the staff of The Show, I made friends with a really nice girl from New Zealand, so naturally we were talking about K-pop. We discussed who we loved the most and then I asked what she’d been listening to a lot recently. She mentioned CORTIS, who I had only heard of by name and a lot of hype. Firstly, the group name is not good. And also, when I hear that much hype around an artist, the hispter in me wants to steer clear. But, she and I seemed similar in a lot of ways, so when I got home I decided to check them out.
As with new groups that haven’t been pushed on me by the algorithm, I decided to just search them and watch either the first video that popped up or the video with the most views. I was drawn to “GO!” mainly from the punchiness of the song’s name. And I will admit, the song was catchy as hell. There was a lot going on in the video, so I watched it another time to catch stuff I missed the first run through. It was helpful that these guys were easy on the eyes, too. I also couldn’t stop looking at one of the member’s teeth. They were so white and so straight.
Anyway, from there, Youtube presented me with “Fashion,” which could not have been more different from “GO!” It was more of a hard rap track, and the styling of the video was really dark. I was a fan immediately. And after another listen, I knew I was hooked. So of course I jetted on over to their other music video for their song “What You Want.” I learned this was a pre-release track for the group, and again, it could not have sounded any more different to the other two songs I had already checked out. It gave an alternative/pop punk vibe, which as an elder emo, really tickled my brain in a good way.
At this point, I knew I was invested, so that means I started reading up on these guys. With only five members, this is easily one of the smallest groups I’ve ever checked out. They also reside under one of the largest labels for K-pop artists, but they also have a US label and distributor so they tend to spend a good deal of time in the US. In listening to some interviews, they are all pretty dang fluent in English, so it’s a good place for them to be, as far as getting future global recognition. At first, the two youngest members looked exactly the same to me, but as with all groups I check out, I feel like a fool for ever confusing them. I did also learn that most of the members are 16 to 17 years old which makes me feel like a PREDATOR, but at least they have a 20 year old in the mix.
It’s crazy to me how young they are, and even though they’ve only just started their career this year, they’ve got a lot of creative credits under their belts. They are invovled in the writing, production, directing, choreography, and it seems like a whole host of other things! To me, just like 82MAJOR, they are one of the most unique groups that I think exists out there. I would almost call them an alternative K-pop group. Their diversity is further explored with the last two tracks of their first EP, “Joyride” and “Lullaby.” “Joyride” snuck up on me, but I think it might be my favorite song of theirs, where the latter is a bit more experimental in nature. I don’t dislike it, but nothing about has really hooked me yet. Still, this album is a strong showing for this rookie group. I know there is more to come, and I’m excited to be along for the ride!