Kathmandu— The K-pop boy band Cortis, during the kickoff of their 'Put Your Phone Down' concert tour in Incheon on July 18, urged fans to put away their smartphones and focus on the live performance. The message was met with mixed reactions from the audience, some complying while others continued filming. The tour will continue through cities like New York and Los Angeles before returning to Seoul.

Mixed Reactions From Fans

The band's request for fans to put away their phones was met with varied responses. Some fans, like Park Ji-yeon, who rented a new smartphone specifically for the concert, found it difficult to comply as she wanted to capture high-quality footage of the performances. Meanwhile, others like Kim Ga-eun observed that some fans in the back were enjoying themselves without their devices.

Cortis's Message and Impact

The band has long advocated for a more immersive concert experience free from smartphone distractions. This message is part of Cortis’s broader ethos, which emphasizes breaking societal norms and embracing spontaneity. The tour title 'Put Your Phone Down' reflects this philosophy. However, the request has sparked debate within K-pop fan communities where filming concerts is considered an essential way to relive memories and share content online.

Adjustments in Messaging

Following initial feedback from fans, Cortis adjusted their approach on subsequent days of the concert. They softened their stance, acknowledging that filming was acceptable as long as it did not detract from the overall experience. This shift aimed to balance fan expectations with the band's desire for a more engaged audience.

(With inputs from BBC News)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.