Corsak
{{Short description|Chinese musician}}{{family name hatnote|Hu|lang=Chinese}}{{Infobox musical artist
| name = CORSAK
| native_name = 胡梦周
| native_name_lang = chi
| birth_name = Hu Mengzhou
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|01|11}}
| birth_place = Shanghai, China
| genre = {{hlist|Mandopop|EDM}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|music producer|DJ|actor}}
| years_active = 2018-present
| label = Liquid State
}}
Hu Mengzhou (Chinese: 胡梦周, born January 11, 1989), professionally known as Corsak (stylized in all caps),{{Efn|His name comes from corsac, a fox predominantly found in China.|name=a}} is a Chinese singer, electronic music producer, and DJ. His debut single "Reverse" (with Ma Yinyin) peaking top 5 on Chinese streaming platforms and frequent collaborations with international artists such as Alan Walker ("Different World", "Sad Sometimes") have cemented him as a rising figure in the electronic music scene.{{Cite magazine |last=China |first=Billboard Radio |date=2019-03-07 |title=Rising Producer CORSAK Says Being First Chinese Artist on Liquid State Label 'An Honor' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/china-producer-corsak-liquid-state-label-interview-8501570/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
Life and career
Hu Mengzhou was born in Shanghai on January 11, 1989. He began studying classical piano at the age of three, going on to later graduate from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music with a degree in electronic music production.{{Cite magazine |last=China |first=Billboard Radio |date=2019-06-27 |title=Chinese Producer CORSAK Tops 500 Million Streams for 'Reverse,' Will Debut at Tomorrowland |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/china-producer-corsak-streaming-reverse-tomorrowland-belgium-8517953/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
In 2011, he auditioned for the second season of China's Got Talent, performing Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance".{{Cite web |last=Sina Entertainment |date=2011-04-12 |title=明星微博"围观"达人秀 首期节目5月1日播出 |trans-title=Celebrities "watch" the first episode of the talent show on Weibo, which will be broadcast on May 1 |url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2011-04-12/11323278982.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924191437/http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2011-04-12/11323278982.shtml |archive-date=2019-09-24 |website=sina.com.cn |language=zh}}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-05 |title=Corsak Remixes Yoh Kamiyama's Track 'Irokosui', Opening Theme Of Anime Series 'Horimiya' {{!}} UFO Network |url=https://ufo-network.com/2021/08/05/yoh-kamiyamas-irokosui-corsak-remix/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |language=en-GB}} In 2013, he joined Taiwanese singer Harlem Yu's team on the second season of The Voice of China.{{Cite web |last=Wang Miao Liu Jie |date=2013-08-21 |title=好声音胡梦周是吴莫愁师兄 曾同校学习 |trans-title=Hu Mengzhou from The Voice of China is Wu Mochou's senior and once studied in the same school |url=https://ent.sina.com.cn/y/2013-08-21/10023992325.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924191437/https://ent.sina.com.cn/y/2013-08-21/10023992325.shtml |archive-date=2019-09-24 |website=sina.com.cn |language=zh}} In 2014, he was cast in the musical drama "My Youth High Octave" as the second male lead.{{Cite web |last=Sina Entertainment |date=2014-08-25 |title=《高八度》吴秀波心动 胡梦周示爱毕夏 |trans-title="High Octave" Wu Xiubo's heart is moved by Hu Mengzhou and he expresses his love to Bi Xia |url=https://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2014-08-25/11304197743.shtml |website=sina.com.cn |language=zh}}
In 2018, Corsak became the first Chinese artist to be signed by Liquid State, a record label jointly established by Tencent Music and Sony Music.{{Cite web |title=东西方的音乐融合 Liquid State新人CORSAK首只官方单曲上线腾讯音乐娱乐 - 中国日报网 |trans-title=Liquid State's new artist CORSAK releases first official single on Tencent Music Entertainment |url=https://ent.chinadaily.com.cn/2018-07/30/content_36670237.htm |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=China Daily |language=zh}} In May, he released a remix of "That Girl" by Olly Murs, which became the 18th biggest track globally in 2018. In June, he released his first single "Reverse" with Ma Yinyin, marking his official debut. The song hit over 500 million streams across China, peaking in the top 5 of Chinese streaming platforms. In July, he performed at Tomorrowland at the Barong Family Stage.{{Cite web |last=CORSAK |title=See you at Tomorrowland weekend 2! Playing the Barong Family stage. Thank you to my brothers Yellow Claw 🙏🙏 |url=https://www.facebook.com/corsakmusic/posts/see-you-at-tomorrowland-weekend-2-playing-the-barong-family-stage-thank-you-to-m/674549519635608/ |website=Facebook}}{{Cite web |date=2018-12-06 |title=DJ Corsak On Making EDM & His Calvin Klein Underwear Model Dreams |url=https://www.kkbox.com/sg/en/column/interviews-0-246-1.html |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=KKBOX |language=en}} In November, he joined Norwegian DJ Alan Walker, who he had been previously acquainted with at Liquid State,{{Cite web |last=Wode |title=Tim Cook 现身王府井 Today at Apple，与 CORSAK 一起探索用电音表达情感 - midifan：我们关注电脑音乐 |trans-title=Tim Cook appeared at Today at Apple in Wangfujing and explored the use of electronic music to express emotions with CORSAK |url=https://www.midifan.com/modulenews-detailview-32530.htm |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Midifan |language=zh}} in the production of "Different World", along with K-391 and Sofia Carlson.{{Cite magazine |last=Schiller |first=Rebecca |date=2019-01-22 |title=Alan Walker On Creating Environmental Track 'Different World': 'We Are Ruining Earth Faster Than We Can Repair It' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/alan-walker-talks-different-world-song-8494309/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
In 2019, he released his second single "Glow" with Robinson, based on the French novel, "The Little Prince".{{Cite web |last=Tan |first=Agalia |date=2019-07-28 |title=#InstaxInterviews: CORSAK x Robinson |url=https://zyrupmag.com/2019/07/28/instaxinterviews-corsak-x-robinson/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=ZYRUPMAG |language=en-GB}} In September, he teamed up with Walker once again and fellow Chinese singer Huang Xiaoyun to release "Sad Sometimes". In October, he was named in the Forbes China 30 Under 30 list.{{Cite web |last=Forbes China |title=2019福布斯 中国30位30岁以下精英榜 |trans-title=2019 Forbes China's 30 elites under 30 |url=https://www.forbeschina.com/lists/1725 |website=Forbes China |language=zh}} In December, he won the "New Power Award" at the 1st Tencent Music Entertainment Awards.{{Cite web |last=Ke |first=Sun |date=2019-09-12 |title=2019TMEA腾讯音乐娱乐盛典收官，现场颁发六大类奖项{{!}}界面新闻 · 快讯 |trans-title=2019 TMEA Tencent Music Entertainment Festival concluded, with six major awards presented on site |url=https://www.jiemian.com/article/3760441.html |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Jiemian News |language=zh}}
In 2020, he collaborated with the Dutch DJ duo Yellow Claw and Taiwanese singer Julia Wu on "Take Me Back".{{Cite web |title=Yellow Claw releases a new Mandarin track with Taiwanese singer Julia Wu |url=https://mixmag.asia/read/yellow-claw-releases-new-mandarin-track-with-taiwanese-singer-julia-wuu-new-releases |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Mixmag Asia}} He released three singles, namely "驰 Timelapse", "Breaking" with Xie Yuchun, and "Flying on Paper" with Liu Yuning.{{Cite web |last=China Daily |date=2020-03-26 |title=苦等 30年终出道胡梦周新歌"驰"首写个人故事 |trans-title=After 30 years of waiting, Hu Mengzhou finally debuts in her new song "Chi" |url=https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1662218906210533873&wfr=spider&for=pc |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=baijiahao.baidu.com |language=zh}}
In 2021, he was awarded the Best Electronic Music Artist Award at the 2nd Tencent Music Entertainment Awards.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-24 |title=Here are the winners of the Tencent Music Entertainment Awards – Taylor Swift, EXO's Lay Zhang, BLACKPINK, Xiao Zhan, and more |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/winners-tencent-music-Entertainment-awards-taylor-swift-exo-lay-zhang-yixing-blackpink-xiao-zhan-2020 |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Bandwagon |language=en}} In March, Corsak and Swedish DJ Alesso released "Going Dumb" to celebrate PUBG Mobile{{'s}} third anniversary, which was featured as background music in the video game.{{Cite web |date=19 March 2021 |title=모바일 게임 배틀 그라운드 삽입곡, 스트레이키즈가 컬래버…19일 발매 |trans-title=PUBG Moblie soundtrack, Stray Kids' collaboration…(March) 19th release |url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=021&aid=0002464316 |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Munhwa Ilbo |language=ko}}{{Cite web |last=Bierman |first=Brooke |date=2021-03-21 |title=Alesso Teams Up With Chinese Singer Corsak and K-Pop Group Stray Kids for New Single "Going Dumb" |url=https://edm.com/music-releases/alesso-corsack-stray-kids-going-dumb |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists |language=en}} It was released in two versions, with one version by the two producers and another featuring vocals from K-pop group Stray Kids. The song debuted at number 13 on Billboard
In 2023, Corsak released his first album titled {{lang|zh|"一张专辑"}} (English: "An Album"), consisting of 10 tracks. The album notably included collaborations with Chinese singers Hama ("怂", who he previously worked with on the Chinese version of "Glow"), Miah ("脑"), and M3ssiah ("冬").{{Citation |title=一张专辑 by CORSAK胡梦周 on Apple Music |date=2023-02-10 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/%E4%B8%80%E5%BC%A0%E4%B8%93%E8%BE%91/1671132751 |access-date=2025-01-04 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-03-01 |title=专访｜胡梦周：一个成熟的主流音乐人应该知道的3件小事 |trans-title=Exclusive Interview {{!}} Hu Mengzhou: 3 Little Things a Mature Mainstream Musician Should Know |url=https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_22097220 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=The Paper}} In August, he recorded the theme song "烈Fire" for the online tactical first-person shooter game Crossfire's esport with previous collaborator Ma Yinyin.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-04 |title=穿越火线高清竞技大区-CFHD-官方网站-腾讯游戏 |trans-title=The CrossFire series e-sports theme song "Fire" is officially launched today! |url=https://cfhd.cf.qq.com/web202011/detail.shtml?newsid=18307306 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=cfhd.cf.qq.com |language=zh}}{{Cite web |title=CF系列电竞主题曲《烈Fire》 2023年8月4日上线 |trans-title=CF series e-sports theme song "Fire" will be launched on August 4, 2023 |url=https://www.cfhuodong.com/2023-8-3-3.html |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=cfhuodong.com |language=zh}}
In 2024, he released his first EP "黑化狐会发挥", featuring an English track ("DigiDark") and three other tracks.{{Cite web |last=流水纪 |date=2024-05-15 |title=CORSAK胡梦周《黑化狐会挥发》：电音鬼才的音乐新进化 |trans-title=CORSAK Hu Mengzhou's "The Black Fox Will Evaporate": The New Evolution of the Electronic Music Genius |url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/J28PD6H20517SD0B.html |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=NetEase |language=zh}} In July, he once again won the Best Electronic Music Artist Award at the 5th Tencent Music Entertainment Awards.{{Cite magazine |last=China |first=Billboard |date=2024-08-02 |title=Zhou Shen & Zhang Liangying Win Top Prizes at China's 2024 Tencent Music Entertainment Awards |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-tencent-music-entertainment-awards-china-1235744921/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite tweet |user=corsakmusic |number=1815272682486689918 |title=Massive thanks to TMEA!!! It means a world to me ❤️}} In November, Corsak was part of the CHINA EDM, Vol. 1 compilation released by Chinese DJ Zhangye, aimed at promoting Chinese electronic dance music.{{Cite magazine |last=China |first=Billboard |date=2024-12-16 |title=Cyanhill Music & DJ ZHANGYE Bring the 'CHINA EDM Vol.1' Compilation to Amsterdam's Escape deLux Nightclub |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/cyanhill-music-dj-zhangye-china-edm-vol-1-compilation-amsterdam-1235858691/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
In 2025, Corsak performed at EDC Thailand.{{Cite web |title=Lineup |url=https://thailand.electricdaisycarnival.com/lineup/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=EDC Thailand 2025 |language=en-US}}
Discography
= Albums =
== Studio albums ==
| class="wikitable"
|+List of studio albums, showing selected details !Title !Album details |
| 一张专辑
|
|
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable"
|+List of extended plays with details !Title !EP details |
| The Villain Fox (黑化狐会发挥)
|
|
= Singles =
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable"
|+List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and album name !Title !Year !Album |
| "Reverse"
(with Ma Yinyin) |2018 | rowspan="11" |Non-album singles |
| "glow"
(with HAMA) | rowspan="4" |2019 |
| "GLOW"
(with Robinson) |
| "Way Back Home" |
| "Drown" |
| "驰 Timelapse"
| rowspan="3" |2020 |
| "Breaking"
(with 谢雨纯) |
| "Flying on Paper"
(with Liu Yuning) |
| "岚 Evergreen"
| rowspan="3" |2021 |
| "芯 Empty Bullets"
(with Ma Yinyin) |
| "泊 Anchor" |
| "引"
| rowspan="11" |2023 | rowspan="10" |一张专辑 |
| "脑"
(with 黄鹤Miah) |
| "怂"
(with HAMA陈缇) |
| "画" |
| "墨" |
| "狂" |
| "♻" |
| "零" |
| "冬"
(with M3SSIAH) |
| "念" |
| "尘 Blood Blooms"
(with 周芷如) |Non-album singles |
| "DigiDark"
| rowspan="7" |2024 | rowspan="4" |黑化狐会发挥 |
| "藏" |
| "OlO" |
| "苔" |
| "也沒那麼悲傷的歌"
| rowspan="2" |Non-album singles |
| "皮箱" |
| "渴 (Desire)"
|CHINA EDM, Vol. 1 |
| "123"
|2025 |Non-album single |
== Promotional singles ==
| class="wikitable"
|+List of promotional singles, showing year released and notes !Title !Year !Notes |
| "暮 Passage"
(with Ma Yinyin) |2023 |Sky: Children of the Light promo track |
| "烈Fire"
(with Ma Yinyin) |2023 |Crossfire esports theme song |
== As featured artist ==
| class="wikitable"
|+List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and album name !Title !Year !Album |
| "Take Me Back"
(Yellow Claw featuring CORSAK and Julia Wu) |2020 |Non-album single |
| "Going Dumb"
(Alesso featuring CORSAK) | rowspan="4" |2021 | rowspan="2" |Going Dumb |
| "Going Dumb (with Stray Kids)"
(Alesso featuring CORSAK and Stray Kids) |
| "Where Do You Think You Are Going"
(Yves V featuring CORSAK and Leony) | rowspan="2" |Non-album single |
| "Back To You"
(MOTi featuring CORSAK and Georgia Ku) |
| "justdance!"
(2z2 featuring CORSAK) |2025 |Non-album single |
= Remixes =
| class="wikitable"
|+List of remixes, showing year released and original artist(s) !Title !Year !Original artist(s) |
| "Am I The Only One" (CORSAK Remix)
|2020 |
| "色香水" (CORSAK Remix)
| rowspan="2" |2021 |
| "September" (CORSAK Remix) |
Filmography
= Television series =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !English title !Original title !Role !Notes |
| 2014
|My Youth High Eight Degrees |我的青春高八度 |Li Yiyuan |Second male lead, episode 7 |
= Television show =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !English title !Original title !Role !Notes |
| 2012
|中国达人秀 |Himself |Contestant |
| 2013
|中国好声音 |Himself |Contestant, on Harlem Yu's team |
| 2020
|Me to Us |我们的乐队 |Himself |Contestant |
| 2021
|The Flash Band |闪光的乐队 |Himself |Contestant |
| 2022
|The Treasured Voice season 3 |天赐的声音 第三季 |Himself |Guest, episode 7 |
| 2023
|Rising Land season 2 |朝阳打歌中心 第二季 |Himself |Guest, episodes 5 and 6 |
| 2024
|音乐缘计划 |Himself |Guest, episode 3 |
Awards
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Award ceremony !Year !Category !Nominee !Result !Ref |
| 1st Tencent Music Entertainment Awards
|2019 |New Power Award |CORSAK |{{won}} |
| 2nd Tencent Music Entertainment Awards
|2021 |Best Electronic Music Artist |CORSAK |{{won}} |
| 5th Tencent Music Entertainment Awards
|2024 |Best Electronic Music Artist |CORSAK |{{won}} |
Notes
{{notelist}}