Cortis urges fans to put phones down
SEOUL: K-pop boy band Cortis is challenging a growing concert habit by asking fans to put their phones away and experience performances without constantly recording them.
The group made the message central to its ongoing global tour, which is also titled “Put Your Phone Down.” The tour began in Incheon on July 18 and is scheduled to travel to several international cities before returning to Seoul later this month.
During the opening show, one of the members repeatedly called on the audience to put their phones down. While some fans followed the request, thousands continued filming the performance on their devices.
The band’s message has sparked debate among fans, particularly within K-pop culture, where concert videos and fancams play an important role. Fans frequently record their favourite artists and share the footage online, where clips are used to revisit performances, study choreography and capture moments that might otherwise be forgotten.
Some concertgoers said recording was important because live shows can be rare and expensive experiences.
One 22-year-old fan said she had even rented a high-end smartphone specifically to capture Cortis’s performances. She explained that she records concerts because memories of the event can fade quickly once the show ends.
Others welcomed the group’s approach. A 25-year-old concertgoer said she noticed fans dancing and enjoying themselves more freely when they were not focused on their screens.
The debate reflects a wider discussion in the global music industry. Several international artists have introduced restrictions on phone use during concerts, including systems that place devices inside locked pouches for the duration of performances.
Cortis, however, appears to be taking a less restrictive approach. Rather than completely banning phones, the group has encouraged fans to treat putting their devices away as a way of being more present during the show.
The band’s message also softened during its second concert. According to fans who attended, the members acknowledged that people naturally wanted to record the performances but urged them to maintain a balance between filming and enjoying the experience.
The group has rapidly gained attention since making its debut under BigHit Music. Its members are mostly teenagers, while the oldest member, James, is 20.
Cortis has also expanded its international profile, recently performing at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago.
The band’s name comes from the phrase “colour outside the lines,” reflecting its stated image of challenging conventions.
Its campaign against excessive phone use appears to follow that same spirit. Rather than treating concert filming as simply right or wrong, Cortis is encouraging fans to remember that a live performance is also about direct interaction between artists and their audience.
