u/MiniJ1021

I have been a kpop fan for over 10 years. And in that time I’ve watched so many idols pass away because of mental health struggles. But it seems like no matter how many idols pass people keep on bullying and dragging idols for things that may or may not be that big of a deal.

I am not here to police anyone on how they feel. You are entitled to your feelings towards these people. But I do feel like you shouldn’t speak death or ill will towards people who genuinely don’t know you personally.

I also want to ask people who do slander and bully idols, Why? Why do you feel so comfortable being mean to people?

I have been a Cortis supporter since predebut, I saw they had a rap concept and I was instantly hooked. Growing up in the Deep South where rap is huge I have always gravitated towards groups with those concepts. And as soon as I heard Go and Fashion I knew that they were going to be big if this was the direction they went in.

It’s because of that direction and their concept that they have received both deserved and undeserved hate and criticism. I am going to try to address the main ones and if I miss any we can discuss them in the comments

1. Cortis are racist and problematic: This is one of their biggest criticisms and to a degree it can be understood. Martin and the other members using AAVE, their Christmas video, and James’s TikTok have all been used to show that they are racist and or culturally appropriating. My take(as a black person) is that it’s not racist as much as it is ignorant. Kpop artists can love and respect rap music without being problematic. The problem is that the companies that run these groups have them play into stereotypes and characters instead of just letting them be themselves. That’s where I feel like Cortis is right now, because they are rookies everything about them is manufactured. While they definitely love the genre, I can assume they are playing it up for the camera. I do hope that as they age and grow they learn more and educate themselves so that these racism allegations stop.

2. They are cocky and have big egos: WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM, they are a group that just turned a year old. They’ve won rookie awards and are currently on a sold out tour. They haven’t said anything(that I have seen) to insinuate that they are cocky or have an ego. If anything they have seem extremely appreciative of their fans and success. They are 17-20 year olds who are on a hot streak, they have the right to speak to their accomplishments the same way other groups do. Just because you don’t like their success or think that it’s earned doesn’t mean they are cocky or have an ego.

3. They are untalented/not unique: this one to me is just wrong. EVERY kpop group is talented, every kpop group has a unique style or vibe to their music. Cortis, Wayfboys, and lngshot do not make the same music. Yes it’s rap but they aren’t the same types of rap. Rap has so many sub genres that you are sure to find your pocket in it. And that’s what the groups above are doing. I also feel like calling the boys untalented isn’t fair. They trained for years to debut and have made it to the stage. Most trainees don’t make it this far. Plus THEY ARE YOUNG they haven’t even hit their prime. Maybe in 3 years if they haven’t improved we can speak to that. But rn it’s way too early to tell.

4. They are a product of HYBE Payola: News flash every big group is a product of payola. No company wants their group to fail (Except for bighit with txt). Do I think they were deserving of a lollapalooza performance probably not, but did they do a good job yeah. You have to realize that hybe just like every other company wants their groups to do well. Your hatred of bts and hybe groups has you hating on cortis as well. When they haven’t done anything but make music and do content. If the company puts millions of dollars into them to be successful let them. If you don’t like it then don’t stream them or speak on them.

I hope this was understandable, if you have anything else you wanna talk about just put it in the comments. Happy Friday

Let me preface I haven’t been a stay in about 5 years , I was heavy into them in their early days but new fans drove me out of the fandom.

But yeah, this comeback visuals wise looked great and I was excited. I enjoyed the pre release track so I was hoping the album would continue that vibe . But as it’s been a consistent thing with skz lately it’s been stale.

The production, lyrics, and overall vibe has stayed the same over the last couple years. And this is not to say all of their songs and comebacks are bad but just disappointing. I know how great song writers and producers SKZ are. But its gotten to to a point where all of their songs (at least their non slow paces ones) boil down to a combination of : I love my fans, I’m so rich and successful, we are the best, never give up. It’s getting old, I want to see a new side of them. I wanna see the same hunger that got them to where they are. They aren’t pushing the envelope anymore or creating trends, just riding the ones that got them popular.

And the worst part is, they get rewarded for it. Just like everything else in kpop they are rewarded for mediocrity and the bare minimum. Fans will eat it up, and to them that’s all that matters. But the truth is they are not trending. Their peers at the top(enhypen with knife, txt with 7th year and yeonjuns comeback, and ateez with bad and NASA ) all trended this year. I don’t remember the last time I’ve heard the broader kpop base talk about stray kids mostly stays.

But yet I’ll still hope they grow, they deserve success but not for being mediocre

I have been following them since predebut and they have completely exceeded my expectations. But it feels like if most kpop listeners have overlooked them in favor of other groups. They by far have one of the best discographies in 5th. I’d argue they have the best. They have the most talented rappers in 5th gen and have by far some of the best dancers.

Even though they have been getting more and more sales each album it feels like they are stuck in Ateez shadow. Ateez shouldn’t be the only priority anymore, I love them so much(Ateez) but as they are a pillar in 4th gen they aren’t going anywhere. I really hope kq gives them another world tour and a full length album when Ateez starts their military service in the next year or so.

Also if you haven’t listen to trophy by them BEST BSIDE THIS YEAR

I’m trying to get my foot in the door with music in Birmingham. Are there any open mics where I could perform some of my stuff. I know they have open mics for comedy but I’m looking for music! If you could help or point me in the right direction that’d be great.

I’m an older kpop fan(21, but I’ve been listening since 8) I’ve seen my fair share of kpop disbandment and members leaving. But I’ve never seen such awful things said about enhypen and Evan now that they have split. It’s like both sides believe that they are right and that the label is at fault. But from what I’ve seen since the beginning is that Evan always had solo ambitions. The enhypen members are all talented and have always poured their all into the group. So did Evan, but I see this as more of a natural progression of things than anything nefarious.

It’s been 4 months almost, in that time both Mark and Ten left NCT. But the discourse surrounding them was not as intense as enhypen. Now they are rebranding and going on a world tour trying to make the most of a situation. But instead of supporting them they are getting boycotts and slander. They deserve better than the fake engenes who don’t genuinely care about them. If you truely supported them you’d be so much more happy that they are moving forward. But instead you aren’t. Please do better

Hi guys I’m an out of towner traveling to Houston for Labor Day to visit friends and to get a break before diving back into school. I only have a few friends in the area so I’m looking to meet new people to hang with while I’m in Houston. I’ll be there for over a week so tap in with me. I’m 21M, and I love make queer friends so don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

If you also could tell me fun things to do, last time I came I was broke but this time I’ll have some more spending funds. Have a great day!

Hii, I am recently 21. I’m looking for people to go out with in Birmingham. It’s been really hard making friends when I’m going out by myself most weekends. I was hoping to go to pink lantern this Saturday. Would anyone like to join me

LGBTQ+ friendly as always(I need more queer friends)

I’m only 21 so I missed almost all of lil Wayne’s prime. I did grow up with his music though. I was talking to one of my older friends and they said they found it strange that Lil Wayne was around birdman who was an adult when he was a minor. Do you think that lil Wayne’s drug problems and other things are a product of him being groomed? Or was their relationship completely safe and mentor/mentee

GOD by ampersandone is probably the soty for me right now. I’m already really enjoying 82 Majors comeback!