lee chang-hee, 2019

recommended for juhoon

it's the best psychological horror show i have ever watched. there is a really well made plot twist at the end too so you can create your own theories! the show was inspired by the webtoon "hell is other people"

content note: graphic violence, psychological torture, disturbing themes

michiko aoyama, 2020

recommended for all of cortis & coer

the librarian’s recurring question, “what are you looking for?” reminds me of cortis’s “what you want,” as both made me pause and reflect on life. beyond that emotional connection, this book is comforting and uplifting, especially when you’re feeling lost or down, and encourages you to honestly sit with yourself. i’d highly recommend it to cortis and all coers! :)

content note: body shaming, sexism, mental health themes

perry maysun, 2024

recommended for keonho

one of my favourite artists and song. it’s so incredibly raw and beautiful. reminds me a lot of something keonho would enjoy.

content note: explicit language

recayd mob, 2018

recommended for martin

it made me think of him.

content note: explicit language

kim yong-wan, 2025

recommended for

it’s a comforting fantasy high school k-drama with really good acting, a perfect plot, lots of cute moments between characters, and beautiful cinematography. if you’re looking for a new fantasy k-drama or just a k-drama to watch in general, i think this would be a great choice.

content note: supernatural themes, explicit language, substance use

joel and ethan coen, 2008

recommended for james

it’s a satire of spy movies and a comedy of errors, and i think james would enjoy it, especially since it stars george clooney and brad pitt. pitt is at his most hilarious here, alongside snatch, and while the humor is more american than british, it’s cynical and witty, so i think he’d enjoy it quite a bit.

content note: explicit language, sexual content, brief violence

wada makoto, 1999

recommended for coer

if you want to watch an underrated movie, i think this one would be perfect! it has beautiful, shady cinematography, a perfect soundtrack with jazz, and a plot that’s also chef’s kiss!

content note: violence and crime, smoking, alcohol use

dominic fike, 2026

recommended for all of cortis

this is one of dom’s newer songs, and i doubt cortis has had the time to hear it yet with their packed schedule. i’m recommending it because it’s definitely one of my favorite fike songs!

content note: explicit language

just for fun, 2025

recommended for james

feels like his vibe

nobuhiro yamashita, 2005

recommended for coer

in my opinion, it’s a really comforting coming of age movie perfectly showing off friendship & music. if you like vibes like that, i think u may enjoy it!

pinguini tattici nucleari, 2026

recommended for juhoon & coer

“different words but same universe” is a lyric in the chorus, and it reminds me of juhoon every time i hear it. it’s such a lovely indie pop track.

pino, 2026

recommended for james

this r&b album is so good, especially “forbidden love” and “knockin’.” they remind me a little of “butterflies” by brent faiyaz, so i think james might enjoy pino too.

content note: explicit language

thasup, 2020

recommended for martin

a huge stereotype is that italian music is all opera and pop, but trap and hip-hop are hugely popular there too. i think cortis, especially martin, would enjoy “23 6451” by thasupreme and its mix of trap and alternative hip-hop.

content note: substance use, mental health themes, emotional distress

roger michell, 1999

recommended for james

i feel like james lowkey enjoys romcoms and seems genuinely open to exploring different genres. plus, it’s hugh grant, and i just feel like he’d really enjoy that soft, charming kind of vibe :)

content note: sexual content, explicit language

n.w.a, 1988

recommended for coer

true mvps of hip-hop and a lesson in rhyme, flow, and message. they’re the kind of artists worth knowing if you really want to understand and respect the genre.

content note: explicit language

luca guadagnino, 2022

recommended for juhoon

it’s about maren and lee, two young people trying to find their place in the world, with romance, drama, horror, and a melancholic atmosphere. juhoon might connect with maren’s quiet nature and her desire to find people who truly understand her.

content note: graphic violence, explicit language, sexual content

brockhampton, 2022

recommended for all of cortis

i love love the piano outro.

content note: explicit language, substance references

tinashe, 2026

recommended for seonghyeon

i really like this tinashe song because it’s an electro-ballad about choosing yourself over a toxic relationship and prioritizing self-love. beyond the lyrics, i also feel like the sound is really seonghyeon’s vibe.

lana del ray, 2015

recommended for all of cortis

honeymoon is one of lana del rey’s most underrated albums and arguably one of her best sonically and lyrically. i love how she blends classical sounds with unconventional structures and vocal techniques, and so many of the songs have aged beautifully.

content note: explicit language

lana del ray, 2012

recommended for martin

lana del rey is the queen of alternative pop in my opinion, and even though the opening line is crazy, the whole song is a sonic masterpiece. the instrumental is one of her best, and i think martin would really enjoy the production and vocal layering.

content note: explicit language, mature themes