CORTIS recently made headlines for a unique and thoughtful gesture crediting all 500 extras who appeared in their music video.
On May 4, the group officially returned with their second mini album GREENGREEN along with the title track “TNT.” While the comeback achieved impressive sales milestones, it quickly spread across online platforms due to a small yet meaningful detail that captured public attention.
The “TNT” music video is crafted like a large-scale street action film. Filmed across various iconic locations in South Korea from narrow alleys and old convenience stores to school playgrounds and the Dongmyo flea market the MV stands out with its handheld camcorder style, delivering a raw, gritty, and chaotic portrayal of youth.
The highlight scene features an intense chase sequence involving the five members Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho being pursued by over 500 extras. This ambitious scene alone took four days to film. What truly moved viewers, however, was what came after: CORTIS included the names of all 500 extras in the ending credits. The names were carefully organized by filming day without omitting a single participant.
This detailed acknowledgment quickly became a viral topic online. Many praised the group for their sincerity and respect toward background performers, calling it a rare and heartwarming gesture in the industry.
Screenshots of the lengthy credit list flooded social media, with netizens joking that it looked as grand as a university admission list or the ending credits of a blockbuster film. The effort to individually list every extra earned admiration for the team’s dedication and professionalism, turning a small detail into a major talking point.
Fueled by this positive buzz and strong support from their fandom, CORTIS also achieved remarkable numbers. Within just 20 hours, the “TNT” MV surpassed 1.9 million views on YouTube. Meanwhile, GREENGREEN recorded over 1.9 million copies sold on its first day, after previously surpassing 2.4 million pre-orders placing CORTIS among the fastest-selling million-seller groups of the 5th generation.
However, alongside the praise, a major controversy has emerged across social media surrounding their music quality.
Despite the album’s strong visual concept contrasting green as youthful freedom against red as societal pressure the actual music has sparked debate, with many labeling the group as “handsome idols with weak songs.”
The title track “TNT” in particular received criticism for its short runtime of just over two minutes, seemingly tailored for TikTok trends. Many listeners felt this disrupted the song’s structure, making it feel rushed and lacking a memorable climax.
One viral post on Threads summed up the sentiment: “After listening to the album three times, I realized the songs still aren’t good but the five members are handsome,” sparking widespread discussion.
Comments from listeners varied:
- “The album feels overly repetitive, especially the chorus. Nothing really sticks except the title track.”
- “I thought ‘Red Red’ was the weakest at first, but it ended up being the best.”
- “Compared to their debut, this feels like a step down, though maybe they’re experimenting.”
- “*TNT works better as a soundtrack than as a standalone song.”*
- “Too much vocal processing 3/10.”
- “I had high expectations after their debut, but I’m a bit disappointed.”
- “It’s not terrible, but not something I’d replay often.”
- “Red Red is noisy but fun TNT just didn’t hit.”
- “Acai fits my taste the most; TNT leaves no impression.”
This isn’t the first time CORTIS has faced such reactions. Their pre-release track “Red Red” also initially received criticism for being noisy and unconventional. Compared to the strong impact of their debut album, GREENGREEN is seen by some as a disappointing step back in terms of musical quality.
Despite the divided opinions, CORTIS continues to prove itself as a formidable force among 5th-generation K-pop groups. Rather than chasing mainstream-friendly hits, they rely on powerful stage presence and a bold, rebellious identity to stand out.
In an increasingly competitive industry, their commitment to a distinct style combined with a loyal and highly engaged fanbase may be the key factor that keeps CORTIS at the center of attention moving forward.
Sources: K14
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