HYBE’s New Boy Group CORTIS Spark Massive Backlash With Their First Release
HYBE and BIGHIT MUSIC’s newest boy group has officially stepped into the spotlight, but not without controversy. Less than one hour after their first song dropped, CORTIS has already become the center of heated debates online.
CORTIS, under BIGHIT MUSIC, is the label’s first new act since TXT’s debut in 2019. The five-member lineup — Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho — unveiled their first track, “GO!”, at midnight KST on August 11.
The song serves as the intro to their upcoming debut mini album, COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, which is scheduled to roll out later this month fully. Alongside the release, the group shared their first set of concept photos.
As “GO!” is technically a pre-release single, CORTIS’s official debut will happen on August 18 with their title track “What You Want.” An English version of the song, featuring American artist Teezo Touchdown, will follow on August 22.
However, instead of excitement, “GO!” has sparked a wave of divided opinions among international fans.
the mv is fine but idk about the song…. https://t.co/ZQ5YlQIoDV
— ِ (@jennierational) August 10, 2025
can they unrelease this mess😭😭
— domiii☆ (@chihiroloverr) August 10, 2025
THROW THIS GROUP AWAY IMMEDIATELY pic.twitter.com/kff3W0EqrX https://t.co/7wsg42quog
— ً (@wintercvnt) August 10, 2025
Some have praised its style and energy, but many others have strongly criticized it — with the heavy use of autotune becoming one of the most common complaints.
The track’s sound has also been compared to Western rap trends, which some listeners feel doesn’t align with expectations for the group’s debut rollout.
all that "self producer and hitmaker" noise marketing cuz they participated in the production of some hybe groups just for release this playboi carti reject im cryingggg 😭the autotune bro https://t.co/MlXBNHU37W
— 𝒞ℳ (@Callmee___) August 10, 2025
Auto tune piss me off 😒 you are not Travis Scott omg https://t.co/Ip29lzUbKW pic.twitter.com/VAUE3lL5aY
— . (@babyire56) August 10, 2025
the autotune 😭 as expected from hybe and nobody is surprised they're "self produced"…the black cosplay too oh hybe…. pic.twitter.com/mPTu1bkRXZ https://t.co/G4sGAC4SiH
— 🧁 (@babyglliters) August 10, 2025
Whether the backlash will fade once CORTIS releases “What You Want” remains to be seen, but the group has already made a bold — and polarizing — entrance into the industry.
