Boy group HYBE CORTIS recently came under scrutiny for alleged cultural appropriation, sparking heated debates among netizens and fans. The controversy arises from the strong historical connection between K-pop and black music. Many K-pop tracks have their roots in genres pioneered by black artists, particularly African-Americans, and numerous black songwriters appear in the credits of K-pop songs.
This close relationship has sometimes led to missteps, in which idols incorporate elements from other cultures without fully understanding their meaning. A recent example involves CORTIS member Martin, whose actions in a Christmas-themed video posted on December 24 sparked criticism.
In the video, the members wear street clothes while performing a version of “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” The video appears to be inspired by another creator’s clip, where the audio and visuals were intentionally mismatched for comedic or aesthetic effect. While reusing such ideas is not inherently wrong, some parts of the CORTIS video have been deemed controversial.
At the beginning of the clip, Martin can be seen making hand gestures. Some netizens have argued that these movements resemble gang symbols associated with the American street gang, the Crips, a group known for criminal activities such as drug trafficking and violent crimes. Critics argue that adopting symbols related to street life without understanding their context constitutes “black cosplay” and trivializes the real-world dangers associated with such signs.
In response, some fans defended the group, saying that Martin’s gesture was actually intended to form a heart and that the members were simply following a trending online challenge popular among teenagers. The debate continues to highlight the ongoing tension between cultural appreciation, influence and appropriation in the global K-pop industry.
Sources: Koreaboo
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