"They dgaf" - Fans defend CORTIS as their continuous mentions of BTS sparks backlash and "cult" allegations

CORTIS has recently drawn attention for repeatedly expressing admiration toward BTS. Over the past week, the rookie group made several gestures referencing the global sensation, which has divided online reactions.

During a live broadcast on September 12, 2025, CORTIS leader Martin started to thank RM for mentioning his hairstyle. However, the moment shifted when the group instead started singing “Happy Birthday” to the BTS leader.

They followed it up with a short “I love you” message. They followed it up with words of admiration towards the senior group, saying they were here because of them.

The next day, on September 13, CORTIS appeared on the YouTube channel Idol Human Theater (@idolhumandocu). While speaking about a time capsule they plan to open in five years, Martin shared his aspiration to one day perform at the Jamsil Sports Complex.

"In five years, I want to perform at the Jamsil Sports Complex. I saw my first concert there! It was a BTS concert," he shared.

The following day, on September 14, the group appeared on SBS Power FM’s Two O’Clock Escape Cultwo Show. Martin spoke about the advice he had received from BTS members.

"RM 'sunbaenim' says, "always treat the staff well," J-Hope 'sunbaenim' says, "Always be thankful for the things you enjoy and don't take them for granted, stay humble,"" he shared.

On the same day, James, the eldest member of the rookie boy group, attended Tyler, the Creator’s concert in Seoul alongside BTS members RM, j-hope, and V. Later that evening, he shared photos from the outing on Instagram, posing with the 3 BTS members and captioned the post,

“Watching the GOAT with the GOATs.”

Earlier, the group had also taken to Weverse to thank Jungkook for singing their pre-debut track GO! during a live session. They had previously shown similar gratitude toward j-hope after he uploaded a TikTok dancing to the same track. Both times, they repeated the same bowing gesture in appreciation of Jungkook and j-hope.

These consistent mentions and gestures have led to divided opinions. Some online users criticized the group, labeling the behavior as excessive and even likening it to “cult-like” actions. Others defended the rookies, arguing that CORTIS was simply paying respect to their seniors in traditional and sincere ways. One fan commented,

"They dgaf they are just happy to be there."

Some fans defended the group, emphasizing that their repeated acknowledgments of their seniors reflect respect and appreciation, not obsession.

Fans also expressed their own happiness seeing the admiration and love from the young group for BTS. Many also noted how respectful the members were toward BTS.

They shared how heartwarming it was to watch them acknowledge their sunbaes. Some commented on Martin's apparent connection with Namjoon, while others expressed hope for future BH Entertainment family events and shows featuring all the artists together.

CORTIS makes BIGHIT Music debut with Color Outside the Lines, as BTS prepares Spring 2026 comeback

CORTIS, consisting of members Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho, is BIGHIT Music’s first boy group to debut in 6 years. The agency, home to BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, officially introduced the group on August 18, 2025, with their debut single What You Want.

The name CORTIS is inspired by the phrase 'Color Outside the Lines', reflecting the members’ ambition to challenge conventions and explore creative boundaries. BIGHIT MUSIC highlights that while each member has a distinct sense of individuality, they operate cohesively as a team. They approach their work as co-creators rather than being restricted by predefined roles.

According to the agency, all five members are teenagers who actively contribute to multiple facets of their artistry, including songwriting, composing, choreography, and video production. CORTIS’s concept centers on youthful energy, self-expression, and collaboration, aiming to connect with listeners through music inspired by real-life experiences.

The group’s debut album, COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, was released on September 8, 2025, in addition to What You Want and its feature version with Teezo Touchdown. The album also includes four other tracks: GO!, FaSHioN, JoyRide, and Lullaby.

Meanwhile, BTS is gearing up for a comeback with a new album set to drop in spring 2026. The group recently wrapped part of their production work in the United States and made a brief return to South Korea. They are expected to travel again soon to continue recording and shooting music videos.

About the author

Adrija Chakraborty is a writer at Sportskeeda with a Master's degree in English literature, which provided her with a strong foundation in research, analysis, and writing. Currently, she covers all things K-drama trends. In school, Adrija served as an editor for her school magazine and has published many stories that received delightful responses.

Adrija's passion for pop culture, especially K-pop and K-dramas, developed during her university years. Writing blog posts and articles on these topics, which received positive feedback, helped her build a portfolio and opened doors to opportunities in the pop culture writing industry. This also allowed her to combine her academic background with her love for K-pop and K-dramas.

Accuracy is key for Adrija, and she maintains this by thoroughly researching and cross-verifying information from multiple credible sources.

Adrija loves BTS, whom she admires not only for their music but also for their resilience, passion, and dedication.
In her free time, Adrija enjoys watching K-dramas, reading books in different languages on various topics, singing, painting, and cooking.

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Edited by Adrija Chakraborty