[TV Report] Curtis Martin, a rising K-pop star, recently revealed the unexpected windfall he received from royalties for his songwriting contributions to Tomorrow X Together and ILY:1’s albums before his own debut.
Martin and his bandmate Gun-ho made an appearance on the popular web series ‘Salon Drip 2’ on the 10th.
As a member of a five-piece boy group that debuted last year, Martin is currently gearing up for their sophomore album. When asked about the pressure of being dubbed “BTS’s little brother group,” Martin candidly admitted, “The pressure was immense. We’ve received guidance from our seniors, which motivated us to strive for the same level of success.”
Gun-ho chimed in with an anecdote about a chance encounter with BTS’s J-Hope at their agency. “He was incredibly down-to-earth and treated me like a younger brother,” Gun-ho shared. Martin added that J-Hope’s warmth reminded him of “reuniting with a long-lost cousin during the holidays.”
Martin, who made a name for himself as a songwriter before his debut, explained how he got his big break. “I was incredibly honored when the company noticed my dedication and offered me a chance to compose. Even if it didn’t yield immediate results, I saw it as a valuable learning opportunity,” he said, detailing how he came to work on Tomorrow X Together’s “Deja Vu” and ILY:1’s “Magnetic.”
“I was blown away by how well both tracks were received,” Martin gushed. “It’s truly an honor, and I owe it all to my seniors in the industry.”
When the conversation turned to royalties, Martin shared a heartwarming story. “My mom actually manages my royalties. One day, she called and asked, ‘Do you know how much you earned in royalties this month?’ I was moved to tears when I heard the amount.”
Gun-ho playfully added to the discussion, responding to queries about Martin’s behavior on royalty payday. “There’s a spot in our dorm where packages pile up. Sometimes, Martin disappears there alone, grinning as he opens packages. That’s how we know it’s royalty day,” he quipped, eliciting laughter from everyone present.
Lee Hye-mi, reporter (gpai@tvreport.co.kr) / Image: YouTube capture from ‘Salon Drip’
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