keonho aespa bighit controversy

Netizens have resurfaced a controversial clip of Keonho, the youngest member of boy group CORTIS, following the recent Jungkook-Winter dating news, igniting renewed debate over his attitude toward senior artists. Notably, CORTIS and Jungkook are both under BigHit Music, linking the resurfaced criticism to heightened public interest in the label’s idols.

The video, originally from September 2025, shows Keonho’s reaction when aespa won their third Music Core trophy for Rich Man. The win was narrowly contested against Haechan (NCT) and CRZY. At the time, Haechan attended the live broadcast, while aespa was overseas for The Fact Music Awards.

https://twitter.com/dykehane/status/1998876752022786105?s=46

In the clip, Keonho is briefly seen pursing his lips behind Haechan a moment that some interpreted as displeasure. Though only a few seconds long, this snippet has gone viral again due to the recent Jungkook-Winter dating revelations. Many netizens questioned whether Keonho’s expression showed disrespect toward senior artists, particularly given his BigHit affiliation.

However, not all agree with this negative reading. Some argue it’s unfair to judge an idol based on a fleeting expression. Keonho’s gesture could be unconscious, a personal habit, or simply surprise at the close results. Fans emphasize that he is just 16 and still learning to control expressions on live broadcasts. Supporters also noted that Keonho often purses his lips or frowns in casual clips without any negative intent.

Keonho, born February 14, 2009, quickly drew attention for his visuals, charm, and stage presence. Even before debut, teaser photos and behind-the-scenes clips frequently went viral.

CORTIS’s debut EP reached the top 20 on Billboard 200, with songs like What You Want and GO! earning strong public reception. Despite the resurfaced controversy, Keonho continues to be a rising star, now under the added scrutiny following Jungkook’s dating news.

Sources: K14