HYBE Group’s Behavior Toward BTS Member Sparks Huge Criticism

HYBE Labels’ newest boy group CORTIS have found themselves at the center of a heated debated over their behavior towards BTS’s J-Hope.

| @cortis_bighit/X

CORTIS made their debut on August 18, joining BTS and TXT as BIGHIT Music’s third act. Alongside their title track “What You Want,” their B-side release “GO!” has also been a huge hit with fans. Always known for uplifting his labelmates, J-Hope recently took the time to film a TikTok dance cover of “GO!” to show his support.

힘내Go! 동생들아 @cortis_bighit

♬ GO! – CORTIS

However, CORTIS’s response to the video has now sparked major controversy across social media. In their own TikTok clip, all five members were seen giving a 90-degree bow to a phone screen playing J-Hope’s cover before thanking him with a full keunjeol bow — a traditional Korean ceremonial gesture in which the forehead touches the ground.

@hobipower 선배님 always killin’ it 🤘 사랑하GO! 감사합니다 선배님 ❤️‍🔥 #BTS #방탄소년단 #jhope #제이홉 #CORTIS

♬ 오리지널 사운드 – CORTIS – CORTIS

Many fans were quick to slam the behavior, describing it as “weird” and “cultish”.

this is lowkey cultish https://t.co/FcCa4qsjAS

— ‎ً (@yslnings) August 29, 2025

Am i too woke? pic.twitter.com/LEhDvlu9aj

— ✮ (@yunarve) August 29, 2025

Several netizens rushed to defend the interaction, arguing that a deep bow is nothing more than an appropriate display of respect for a senior in Korean culture and accusing fans of blowing a “joke” out of proportion.

Showing respect to their seniors is an issue now???!!! certain fandoms taking this to drag cortis just shows how evil you are https://t.co/jFYgYBvv5B

— aj ⁸¹⁸ (@cortisshinez) August 31, 2025

sorry but everyone is taking this way too seriously ive done this when my mom gave me five dollars https://t.co/H6VtSqe0Mr

— 고사리 (@driedgosari) August 29, 2025

However, others insisted that CORTIS’s actions were too extreme, looking more like worship than simple gratitude and appreciation.

korean culture is respecting and bowing down to ur seniors not getting on the ground praying to them☠️

— ‎ً (@yslnings) August 29, 2025

All that being said, it should come as no surprise that the CORTIS members were genuinely grateful to J-Hope for his support. Before their debut, the members were previously spotted at the BTS star’s solo concert, enjoying the show like devoted fans.

Remember KATSEYE attending j-hope's concert and being inspired by his amazing performance? Here's a video of CORTIS, BigHit's new K-pop boy group that has recently debuted, having a great time at j-hope's concert! pic.twitter.com/A6muVnseDK

— jayvee (@uarmyvibe) August 9, 2025