Lately, the word “Ngortis” has been popping up a lot on social media. The term comes from the name of the South Korean boy band CORTIS and refers to fans who really love them. But Ngortis isn't just about listening to songs, watching their music videos, or wearing outfits similar to those of idols, it's more than that. It has become a way for young people to show who they are.

In this case, Ngortis is really interesting. Young people who follow trends like this are not just imitating. They actively create new meanings from the culture they consume. John Fiske, one of the leading figures in Cultural Studies in Understanding Popular Culture (1989), says that audiences are not passive recipients of meaning but active participants who reinterpret, resist, and recreate popular texts within their own cultural context. 

So it can be said that fans of popular culture are not passive recipients, but producers and consumers. Therefore, fans not only enjoy culture but also participate in producing it through the styles, language, or content they create themselves.

For example, many Indonesian fans adopt the CORTIS streetwear style while still adding  local touches, such as tote bags made by UMKM or batik clothing. On TikTok, many people also create funny content, edit fan cams, or come up with unique terms like “Ngortis abis!” that only fellow fans can understand. This shows that fandom isn't just about idols, but also about creativity and solidarity.

After all, the Ngortis phenomenon shows that global and local cultures are now becoming intertwined. K-pop has become a meeting point for creativity, style, and community. So, when someone says, “Your outfit is so Ngortis,” it's not just about appearance, but it's also a form of expression, creativity, and identity for today's youth living  in the midst of digital culture.