Composer Seong Yong-won Releases New Book Analyzing CORTIS from a Classical Perspective on the 1st

What would a composer who majored in classical music see differently when looking at a K-pop idol group?

Cover of 'CORTIS Seen Through the Eyes of Neukkeukeu'

Composer Seong Yong-won has published a new book, 'CORTIS Seen Through the Eyes of Neukkeukeu,' which analyzes the K-pop boy group CORTIS from the perspectives of music and culture.

This book differs from typical fan books or entertainment information books that introduce the activities of idol members from its very starting point. A composer who has studied classical and contemporary music views contemporary K-pop as a musical and cultural phenomenon, unraveling CORTIS's music, performance, fandom, worldview, and producing methods through his own unique perspective.

In the beginning of the book, the author Seong Yong-won asks himself the question, "Why is a classical music major, rather than an entertainment reporter or a popular music expert, writing a book about CORTIS?" He reveals that from the moment he first encountered CORTIS, he focused on the sensibility and elegance revealed in their music and performance rather than their flashy appearance, and came to view them as an artistic entity beyond mere idols.

'CORTIS Seen Through the Eyes of Neukkeukeu' examines CORTIS from various angles across a total of five parts.

In Part 1, 'The Birth of CORTIS,' the five members—James, Juhoon, Martin, Seonghyeon, and An Keon-ho—are introduced, along with the meaning of the group name and logo. Then, in Part 2, 'Analysis of CORTIS' Success Factors,' the musical characteristics, the message represented by 'PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN,' and the unique cultural narrative formed between the fandom community and CORTIS are analyzed.

In Part 3, the book explores CORTIS's visual and narrative world, such as transmedia storytelling, symbolic objects, and color codes, and goes a step further to explore connections with Romantic music and classical music such as Schumann and Beethoven.

Part 4 focuses on 'CORTIS as Producers.' Through the activities of the members who directly participate in the creative process, including songwriting, composing, choreography, and video, it observes the phenomenon where today's K-pop idols are transforming from mere performers into creators.

In the final Part 5, 'The Future of CORTIS,' the book forecasts the future possibilities that CORTIS will create within the culture of growing together with fans and within global popular culture.

In particular, the author does not view the fandom simply as a group that consumes music and products. He interprets them as 'co-creators' who build the artist's worldview together through fan art, videos, cheering, and participation in performances, and points out how the relationship between artists and fans is changing in today's K-pop.

Furthermore, he analyzes the phenomenon where music, lyrics, music videos, social media, live performances, and fandom participation are interconnected to create a single story through the perspective of 'transmedia storytelling.' In this process, he reads CORTIS as a contemporary cultural text by crossing the boundaries between popular music and classical music, and high culture and popular culture.

Author Seong Yong-won stated, "I wanted to view CORTIS not just as a boy group, but as an artistic entity created together by music, image, performance, and fandom," and added, "I hope that this somewhat unfamiliar approach of looking at K-pop from the perspective of a classical musician will provide readers with a new kind of reading pleasure."

'CORTIS Seen Through the Eyes of Neukkeukeu' provides idol fans with reading material to view their favorite artists from a new perspective, and provides readers interested in K-pop and popular culture an opportunity to think about how today's idol culture is expanding into a complex cultural phenomenon beyond music.

· Title: 'CORTIS Seen Through the Eyes of Neukkeukeu'

· Publisher: Hyundai Munhwa

· Release Date: 2026.9.1

· List Price: 12,000 won

· ISBN: 979-11-94775-26-3

· Where to buy: Kyobo Book Centre, Mbooks, YES24, Aladdin, etc.

◆ At a Glance

· Issuing Institution: Hyundai Munhwa

· Category: Celebrities, Publishing, Hyundai Munhwa

· Distribution: September 7, 2026, at 9:20 AM

Source: Hyundai Munhwa Press Release (Newswire)

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