CORTIS Singing Skills Under Fire: HYBE Group Faces Backlash & Defense

A recent live performance by HYBE’s rookie group, CORTIS, has ignited a fierce debate online, with criticism focusing on the group’s vocal abilities. A viral video clip, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on March 18, 2026, and garnering over 1.2 million views, prompted one user to declare, “They really can’t sing at all.”

The performance, which occurred recently for fans, has drawn comparisons to the group’s heavily autotuned studio recordings. Some observers suggest HYBE may have miscalculated in presenting a live performance without substantial backing tracks, given the group’s reliance on vocal processing in their released music. One X user commented, “why would their company set up an event like this knowing damn well most of their music relies heavily on autotune omg😭 at least give them some backtrack or smth.”

The criticism comes as CORTIS prepares for a performance at Lollapalooza Chicago, alongside established acts like BLACKPINK’s Jennie, aespa, and i-dle. The group’s official Twitter account responded to the Lollapalooza announcement with a tweet reading, “Lollapalooza Wassup! Chicago Wassup!” which itself drew backlash from some users who found the language and tone inappropriate. This follows earlier criticism of the group for alleged cultural appropriation, with accusations of “Black Cosplay” surfacing after their debut.

However, the online response hasn’t been uniformly negative. Many fans have defended CORTIS, arguing that the group displayed commendable stability considering the performance was entirely live, including choreography, and without a backing track. Some fans asserted that the live vocals sounded comparable to the album versions. Others accused critics of participating in a coordinated effort to undermine the group, a pattern they say has been present since CORTIS’s debut in August 2025.

The debate surrounding CORTIS highlights the intense scrutiny faced by rookie groups in the K-pop industry, particularly those launched by major labels like HYBE. The group debuted as BIGHIT MUSIC’s first new act since TXT in 2019, raising expectations. Their initial release, “GO!”, sparked divided opinions, with some praising its style while others criticized the heavy use of autotune and its perceived departure from traditional K-pop sounds. The upcoming release of their title track, “What You Want,” on August 18, 2025, and an English version featuring Teezo Touchdown on August 22, 2025, will be closely watched.

Beyond the immediate concerns about CORTIS’s vocal performance, the situation raises questions about the pressures placed on new groups to deliver flawless live performances, and the role of vocal processing in modern K-pop. The group’s performance of an unreleased track, “YCC (Young Creator Crew),” at the NBA Crossover show also drew criticism, with some accusing the group of plagiarism and lacking artistry. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see how CORTIS navigates these challenges as they prepare for their upcoming performances, including their highly anticipated set at Lollapalooza.