HYBE Boy Group Member Caught “Checking Out” Ex Female Idol On His Phone, Sparking Dating Rumors

Recently, CORTIS‘s James has been caught up in dating rumors.

CORTIS’s James

On February 4, KST, a post on social media was made, allegedly showing James looking at his phone while taking some sort of public transportation. In the reflection of the window behind him, he appears to be looking at a woman’s Instagram post.

Based on the image’s reflection, it was alleged that the woman in the photo was former LE SSERAFIM member Kim Garam.

One of the photos was matched to one of her recent updates on Instagram.

Kim Garam | @garamonly/Instagram

The account behind the post connected the two, and it has since gone viral, with over 7 million views.

코르티스 제임스
르세라핌 전멤버 김가람 사진 보다 찍힘!!
이커플 찬성😍 pic.twitter.com/BSrSnkpCML

— 헤테로 아카이브 (@7hlisme) February 3, 2026

Cortis James and former LE SSERAFIM member Kim Garam were spotted being photographed together!!
I support this couple!

— Post

However, many came to James’s defense, mentioning that he appeared to be in the feed tab of his account, and the claims that the video was slowed down intentionally to be misleading.

she randomly popped up on his ig feed and now they a couple..i could never be a idol https://t.co/brf5QutGpZ

— mention 𝒥ae (@playcortis) February 4, 2026

and he's just scrolling through his homepage btw and garam's post was suggested on his feed by the algorithm, he wasn't even checking her acc. this is literally from last december, free james !!

I'm dating james too because my algorithm is full of james 🤫 https://t.co/KIXYvlhD6j

— ana 🕯️ (@lotusjms) February 4, 2026

if just by seeing a post youre making a ship… bruh, ship me with him then, cuz he saw my comment in weverse https://t.co/Q8jspstUSK

— 一 佐 (@i09coer) February 4, 2026

Many netizens also commented on the automatic assumption that the two were dating based on simple social media activity, questioning why male and female idols couldn’t just be friends.

Aside from this, i wonder why kpop fans can't be normal when male idol see/likes a post from female idol without automatically thinking they're dating? Why can't you treat male/female interaction as normal as male/male one? https://t.co/nGxcWhxJTV

— Ael (@_belllladixt) February 4, 2026

Not even the FBI could keep up with K-pop stans, always nitpicking and investigating every little detail about their fave. Like omg, who cares if they’re friends or dating?😭😭 https://t.co/V3NKD0qyRK

— isa (@solmerv) February 4, 2026

when I open my insta account, the first thing that appears is her post too even though I don't follow her🫠

but if they are friends or something just let them be why yall so obsessed with idol private life🥴 https://t.co/nQ0mixahbt

— madeline⁵♡⁹ (@cunthyeonn) February 4, 2026

There has been no formal response from either party over these rumors.