CORTIS Busking Event Descends Into Chaos Amidst Overcrowding & Fan Blame
A planned busking event for the boy group CORTIS in Hongdae, Seoul, on , devolved into chaos, sparking a backlash against the group’s agency for what many are calling inadequate planning and a dismissive attitude towards fans. While intended as a public engagement opportunity, the event quickly became overcrowded, leading to safety concerns and frustration on both sides.
CORTIS performed a medley of their popular songs at a playground in Hongdae, a known hub for street performances. The event drew a significantly larger crowd than anticipated, quickly overwhelming the available space. Without pre-existing fencing or a robust security presence, fans pressed closer to the group, creating a potentially dangerous situation. One attendee even reportedly vomited due to the intense crowding, according to social media posts circulating after the event.
The situation prompted staff intervention, but it was the manner of that intervention that ignited further criticism. Staff members reportedly warned that similar events would be cancelled if fans didn’t cooperate and “remain calm,” a statement that was widely perceived as blaming the audience for the agency’s lack of foresight. A translated excerpt of a staff comment reads, “…if it happens, we can’t plan such good events in the future. Please cooperate with us and we hope that you can remain calm and listen to us so that we can end this safely.”
This response drew immediate condemnation online. One Twitter user, @shyam1ove, expressed outrage, stating (translated from Korean), “I really can’t stand how f*cking angry their attitude makes me ultimately… They think that they planned a perfect event that’s young, gen Z, coloring outside the lines, but fans who deviously crowded them ruined everything.” The sentiment was echoed by others, who accused the agency of prioritizing a carefully curated image over the safety and well-being of fans.
The criticism extends to the event’s planning itself. Several observers pointed out the inherent risk of holding a free event, specifically targeted towards a weekend audience, in one of Seoul’s most densely populated areas without adequate crowd control measures. One user on theqoo, a popular Korean online forum, questioned the logic of the event, asking, “Can someone explain why they’re holding an event like this where only the grandpas from the XX shop who happened to pass by end up benefiting?” This comment highlights a broader feeling that the event was poorly conceived and executed.
The agency’s perceived attitude – described as believing they had created a “perfect promotion that was ‘color outside the lines,’ young, and very Gen-Z” – further fueled the backlash. Critics argue that this demonstrates a disconnect between the agency and its fanbase, and a refusal to take responsibility for the event’s shortcomings. The incident has prompted some fans to announce their departure from the fandom, citing the agency’s handling of the situation as a breaking point.
The event was ultimately cut short, with CORTIS only able to perform two songs before the situation became unmanageable. While the intention behind the busking event was to connect with fans in a more intimate setting, the outcome has instead damaged the group’s public image and raised serious questions about the agency’s event planning capabilities. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for other entertainment companies considering similar public appearances, emphasizing the critical importance of prioritizing safety and demonstrating respect for their audience.
The situation also highlights the challenges of managing fan enthusiasm in the age of social media. The rapid spread of information – including photos and videos of the overcrowded event and the staff’s comments – amplified the negative reaction and forced the agency to confront the fallout in real-time. It remains to be seen how CORTIS’ agency will address the concerns raised by fans and what steps they will take to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.