HYBE’s fifth-generation boy group CORTIS (Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho) is facing sharp criticism online after a clip of their live performance of “Acai” at the Music Bank World Tour stop in Barcelona circulated widely on X (formerly Twitter).
 |
| Cortis at the TikTok awards |
The performance, filmed during the September 12, 2026 event in Spain and aired more recently (with the official clip shared around October 7), shows the group performing without the heavy autotune-style vocal effects that define the studio version of the track. “Acai,” a B-side from their second mini-album GREENGREEN, leans into processed, playful vocals as a stylistic choice across much of CORTIS’s discography. Stripped of those effects live, the raw delivery drew mixed-to-negative reactions.
Clips quickly gained millions of views. Commenters described the vocals as unstable or weak, with some questioning the group’s overall live singing ability and joking about their ambitions (including past Grammy talk). Others noted the double standard, arguing a girl group delivering a similar stage would face harsher scrutiny. Some viewers claimed the audio in circulating videos may have been edited or poorly mixed, pointing to other fancams from the same event that sounded stronger, while attendees reported the Barcelona crowd was energetic and engaged.
and coers want me to even consider this to be a grammy winning group https://t.co/nfs3ydhVpu
— chel (@flocallings) October 8, 2026
Defenders pushed back, emphasizing that “Acai” is not a vocal showcase track, the choreography is demanding, and the group chose full live singing without heavy processing. Fans also highlighted that online hate often fails to match real-world reception—CORTIS has built a strong following through high-energy stages, a sold-out first world tour (PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN), festival appearances including Lollapalooza Chicago, and consistent chart performance.
Yet the audacity to judge other idols singing https://t.co/omZpLZEALZ
— Jay Jay ☆ (@BlackMajiks) October 9, 2026
Just days later, on October 9, CORTIS performed at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix on the Padang Stage. Organizers estimated around 60,000 people attended their set — a strong turnout that highlighted their growing international pull despite the online criticism.
This isn’t the first time the group has faced live-show backlash. Their debut solo tour, 2026 CORTIS TOUR ＜PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN＞, opened in Incheon in July 2026 to significant fan disappointment on the first night.
CORTIS, under BIGHIT MUSIC, debuted in 2025 and has leaned into a hip-hop/rap-influenced, immersive live concept that prioritizes energy and audience connection over polished traditional idol production. The Barcelona clip has reignited broader debates about live vocals in K-pop, especially for groups whose studio sound relies on effects, but the group’s recent outdoor festival set suggests their in-person appeal remains intact.