By Ian Werther in News — 18 Mar 2026

Cortis Performs at Apple's Thinking Different Talk Stage in Seoul for 50th Anniversary

South Korean idol group Cortis performed at Apple Myeongdong in Seoul on the Thinking Different Talk Stage on the 19th, as Apple marks its 50th anniversary with a series of similar events around the world through next month. The appearance in Seoul followed Alicia Keys’ show at Apple’s New York store on the 13th, making Cortis’ event the second in the global lineup.

About 700 fans gathered for the Seoul event, held in the Apple store’s Myeongdong venue in Jung-gu. The company has described the Thinking Different stage as part of its broader anniversary celebrations, with multiple locations hosting comparable events in coming weeks.

Simple and easy apple pie served with vanilla ice cream, on a gingham tablecloth in Lysekil, Sweden. Image focus stacked from five photos using Photoshop.
Recipe:

Ingredients: 150 g butter, 1 dl sugar, 3 dl all-purpose flour, 1 dl rolled oats, 3 large apples
Directions: Mix sugar, flour and oats in a bowl. Cut the butter into smaller cubes and add to the mix. Work the butter into the dry ingredients using pinching and kneading motions, until the butter is evenly mixed in. The result should not be a smooth dough, but rather small lumps. Pour the lumps into a pan; a regular medium springform pan will do nicely. Work the lumpy dough so that it covers the bottom of the pan and a couple of cm up against the sides. Peel and slice the apples, and put them in the pan. Sprinkle with some sugar and cinnamon. Bake in the middle of oven at 225 °C for about 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool a bit before serving with vanilla ice cream. — Representative image for context; not directly related to the specific event in this article. License: CC0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Cortis has previously collaborated with Apple, providing a performance video for their debut album intro track “GO!” specifically for Apple’s mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro. The group said they continue to rely on Apple products in their music-making.

During the event, member JuHun noted that they often shoot videos with Apple’s Logic Pro and edit on a MacBook, while SeongHyun said melodic ideas are frequently saved as Voice Memos. The comments underscored how artists in Korea’s pop scene integrate Apple software into the creative process.

Martin, the group’s leader, highlighted iPhone features that aid their performance, including Center Stage, which automatically keeps the user centered on the screen. He also explained how travel complicates using a MacBook on planes, and that he sometimes turns to an iPod with GarageBand for on-the-go music work.

Aerial view of Apple Park, the corporate headquarters of Apple Inc., located in Cupertino, California. The roof is covered in solar panels with an output of 17 MWp, making it one of the biggest solar roofs in the world. Photo taken from a Cessna 172M. — Representative image for context; not directly related to the specific event in this article. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

The group joked about signing autographs for fans via AirDrop, drawing laughs from the audience. In total, Cortis performed three songs, including their debut track GO!.

For U.S. readers, the event illustrates how American tech platforms and devices are embedded in contemporary Korean pop culture and global music production. Apple’s global tour of these events highlights the company’s continued role in shaping how artists create, distribute, and engage with fans, while showcasing tools like Logic Pro, GarageBand, Vision Pro, and Center Stage as widely used elements in modern music workflows. The convergence of a U.S.-based tech giant with a rising international act also signals how consumer electronics influence cross-border entertainment ecosystems, supply chains, and cultural reach in the digital era.

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