5th-gen K-pop group CORTIS performed at YouTube Theatre in Inglewood on Thursday, Aug. 13 as part of their “Put Your Phone Down” North American tour. The tour has featured challenges to the norms of K-pop concert culture, including fan phone usage, outfit changes and lengthy setlists.
“When I injured myself and I spent two weeks in the hospital, I went through six surgeries within those two weeks. Literally every single day, I would always look forward to the new performance drop of ‘TNT’ and ‘REDRED,’” concertgoer Xiu Yin said. “So they were kind of like my trauma support group. When they dropped tour dates, we were just like, we have to see them live at all costs.”
From the moment the group’s five members stepped on stage, they were encouraging fans to put their phones down and enjoy the ambiance of the concert without recording or taking photos.
“I’ve seen CORTIS before, and it’s so nice to be in the moment with how they’re performing. I think it’s better to be in the moment,” said concertgoer Jasmine Luna.
This movement was supported by the release of “PYPD,” an application that tracks fans’ movements during the show. The app also features a leaderboard of all the stops on the tour, allowing COER, CORTIS’s fanbase, in each city to compete with one another for engagement levels. Fans could check in one hour before the show started, and the app would track their movements, like jumping and dancing throughout the night.
“Everyone is into it. They bring the energy. I’m seeing people actually put their phone down for some time, and it’s so hype,” said concertgoer Monica Martinez.While some fans have expressed their desire to make the most of the experience by filming, many L.A. COER wanted to balance being in the moment with capturing memories on their phones.
“This is kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I’m not going to be glued to my phone. I’m definitely going to be singing and dancing,” concertgoer Coco Venezia said.
CORTIS has also received online criticism for their tour’s lack of production. During the performance, the members did not have any costume changes. The stage design was also very minimal, the only prop being a couch used by member Keonho, who experienced an injury ahead of the tour.
The setlist was also very short, with only 13 unique songs. The rest of the performance was filled with repeated songs, with tracks like “REDRED”and “YOUNGCREATORCREW”being in the setlist three times. However, some L.A. fans didn’t mind the repetitive setlist.
“If you are a true fan and you love the songs, then why wouldn’t you want to hear your favorite songs again and again?” concertgoer Antigone Lambros said. “I do want to hear these songs three times. I love them so much.”
Many fans purchased tickets after experiencing CORTIS at the NBA Crossover Concert where the group made history as the first K-pop group to open the annual event. The concert experience was very similar at this show, as the band only debuted a year ago. Despite being very active for their first year, CORTIS’s discography is not extensive.
“They just played the same five songs over again, but the vibes were there,” said Venezia, who also saw CORTIS at the NBA Crossover Concert. “No one was complaining about it, so I liked it.”
For some COERs, seeing the group perform live for the first time, the experience was worth the time spent in the Ticketmaster queue and the money spent on resale tickets.
“The concert was so good. I went in expecting to love it, and I came out like more in love than ever,” Lambros said after the show.
