"They dgaf"- Fans react to CORTIS' bowing down to thank Jungkook for his 'GO' shoutout amidst backlash linked to BTS members

On September 3, 2025, rookie boy group CORTIS went live on Weverse. During the broadcast, they expressed their gratitude to BTS' Jungkook for singing their pre-debut track GO!.

Previously, Jungkook had hosted a Weverse live on September 1 to celebrate his birthday with fans. During that session, he held a karaoke and sang several tracks, including GO! by CORTIS. On September 3, while talking to fans, the rookie group acknowledged the moment, thanking the singer and saying,

“Thank you so much. Thank you! Thank you truly.”

All the members then performed a keunjeol toward the BTS member. It is a traditional deep Korean bow where one kneels and places the forehead on the ground as a gesture of respect.

This happened a few days after the group showed gratitude by bowing to another BTS member, j-hope. Earlier, they also bowed in the same way after j-hope posted a TikTok of himself dancing to GO!.

At the time, the gesture sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans criticized it, calling it excessive, while others defended it as a traditional and respectful sign of respect and gratitude toward senior artists in Korean culture. When the group repeated the gesture for Jungkook, many fans flooded social media, supporting CORTIS and praising their humility and sincerity.

Although some netizens remembered the earlier criticism, many fans expressed their support for CORTIS, praising their gratitude and respect despite ongoing debates. One fan jokingly commented,

Supporters praised CORTIS for not backing down despite earlier backlash, calling their repeated bows both respectful and hilariously bold. The group's sincerity, mixed with their carefree attitude, struck a chord with fans who filled timelines with memes, jokes, and praise.

Alongside the playful comments, many fans also shared heartfelt messages of support. They admired the new group's consistent show of respect toward the senior group. Many BTS fans expressed excitement about following the rookie group's journey and also promised to check out the rookie group's future releases.

CORTIS debuts under BIGHIT MUSIC as the label's first boy group in 6 years with single What You Want

CORTIS, composed of members Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho, is the first boy group to debut under BIGHIT MUSIC in six years. The company, which is home to BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, unveiled the group on August 18, 2025, with the release of their debut single What You Want.

The name CORTIS, according to BIGHIT MUSIC, is derived from the phrase 'Color Outside the Lines,' symbolizing the members' desire to break conventions and push creative limits. The agency noted that the group has a strong sense of individuality while functioning as a unit, viewing their work as co-creators and refusing to be confined to fixed roles.

All five members are teenagers who actively participate in various aspects of production, including songwriting, composing, choreography, and video content. BIGHIT MUSIC emphasized that this hands-on approach is a defining trait of the group, making them artists who prioritize authenticity and creativity.

The group's idea is based on young energy, self-expression, and teamwork, seeking to engage listeners through stories based on real-life experiences. The label said that their approach aligns with BIGHIT's philosophy of nurturing artists who bring originality and authenticity to their music.

The group will release its debut album, COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, on September 8, 2025. The album features four additional tracks alongside What You Want and What You Want ft. Teezo Touchdown, titled GO!, FaSHioN, JoyRide, and Lullaby.

BTS is scheduled to make their comeback with a new album in the Spring of 2026.

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