this post is intentionally written in lowercase with only ‘CORTIS’ and ‘I’ capitalised, as I see these as proper entities to be respected. I recently learnt why some people now use only lowercase for their posts. this style pissed me off at first, as it felt unnatural and faulty to the eyes of someone who was so used to reading texts with ‘proper’ capitalisation. but eventually I have realised why people might like it: easy and flowy to type, no stopping to capitalise anything. so that’s why in this post I’ll have fun with this more relaxing typing style, as it kinda fits with CORTIS spirit though. 

happy 1st anniversary to CORTIS \^o^/

look, I’m in my thirties. life is good—I’ve got a stable job, my own routine, and my adult responsibilities sorted. but let’s be honest: routine can get a bit monochrome. everyday adult life has a habit of feeling slightly mundane. so when you look at my daily music streaming stats and see a fresh-faced k-pop boy group right at the top, it might raise an eyebrow.

let’s clear something up straight away: I am not in love with these young boys, not romantically. there’s zero romantic sentiment there—that would be bizarre. what CORTIS actually brings to my life is something far more refreshing: a bright splash of colour and a genuine burst of youthful energy.

adulthood hasn’t ground me down, but it naturally lacks high-octane spontaneity. watching CORTIS perform, listening to their sharp production, and seeing their carefree spirit doesn’t just entertain me—it spices things up. it’s an easy, joyful way to inject a bit of vibrant, active energy into a standard working week.

that said, being a grounded adult means I view the k-pop industry with a clear head. I recently watched dabota’s video essay, ‘how k-pop consumes you‘, which brilliantly breaks down the mechanics of the idol machine. at its heart, the industry relies on engineering parasocial relationships—one-sided psychological bonds where fans feel an intimate connection or friendship with celebrities who don’t know they exist.

dabota outlines five key components that companies use to build this dynamic:

• repeated exposure: flooding feeds with tiktok videos, dance practices, and endless clips during comeback cycles so your brain registers their faces as familiar everyday mates.
• illusion of intimacy: using raw, camcorder-style behind-the-scenes content, casual late-night lives, and fan calls to make manufactured content feel like a personal video call.
• safe social connection: creating a risk-free space where fans can project affection without any real-world judgment or rejection.
• curated persona: polishing an image of ‘unscripted casualness’—like CORTIS kicking about in la looking like five normal lads hanging out, despite being managed by a multi-million-dollar giant like hybe.
• sense of community: funnelling fans onto platforms like weverse to keep everyone engaged on the microscopic chance of a direct reply.

seeing the business model for what it is makes it easy to set healthy boundaries. the industry often targets vulnerability and turns parasocial devotion into revenue through curated closeness and pseudo-relationship fan service.

because I see the mechanics behind the curtain, I keep things in perspective. I’m not bulk-buying physical albums for a lottery ticket to a 30-second fan call. I don’t get dragged into internet fan wars, nor do I delude myself into thinking I know who these lads are when the cameras switch off.

my attachment is purely about enjoying the art and the vibe. I soak in the energy, appreciate the talent, and then get on with my day. in an era where k-pop fandom can get absurdly intense, enjoying the thrill without building an unhealthy mental or emotional reliance feels like the smartest way to stan.

so, happy 1st anniversary to CORTIS. I hope the lads stay healthy, handle the pressures of the industry, and keep dropping fantastic tracks. as for me? I genuinely hope to catch them live on tour one of these days, soak up that incredible stage presence in person, and just enjoy the show.

no drama, no delusional attachments—just great music adding a bit of sparkle to everyday life.