CORTIS Draws Debate Over Repeated Songs at First Concert

CORTIS is facing a wave of online debate after the rookie boy group’s first concert drew criticism for its structure, including repeated songs in the encore and a relatively lean production format.

According to a setlist that circulated on Korean online communities after the show, the group performed a list of original tracks including “YOUNGCREATORCREW,” “FaSHION,” “REDRED,” “Acai,” “TNT,” “Mention me,” “Joyride,” “Lullaby,” “Blue Lips,” “Wass up,” “GO,” and “What you want.” The concert was reported to have lasted about one hour and 40 minutes.

The main point of controversy was not only the length of the event, but the way the songs were arranged. Fans noticed that several tracks returned during the encore, with songs such as “REDRED,” “YOUNGCREATORCREW,” and “Mention me” reportedly appearing more than once across the show.

For some concertgoers and online observers, that repetition made the event feel thinner than expected for a full concert. Posts and comments quoted by Korean entertainment media questioned whether the show resembled a fan concert more than a standard solo concert, particularly because fans also pointed to the lack of outfit changes and cover stages.

Why the setlist drew attention

The criticism reflects a familiar tension for newly debuted K-pop acts. Rookie groups often have a limited number of released songs, but concert audiences still tend to expect a sense of progression: opening stages, talk segments, rearranged versions, special performances, covers, unit stages, costume changes, or an encore that feels distinct from the main set.

In CORTIS’s case, the group reportedly has only 12 released songs, which partly explains why the concert leaned heavily on existing material. Supporters have argued that a new act cannot be judged by the same standards as an artist with years of albums, tours, and established stage concepts behind them.

However, critics say the limited catalog is exactly why additional planning matters. In K-pop, cover stages have long been used by newer groups to fill concert time, pay tribute to senior artists, and show a wider range of performance skills. When a first concert does not include that kind of variation, fans may interpret the absence as a missed opportunity rather than an unavoidable limitation.

Fan expectations are changing

The response also shows how quickly audience expectations can harden around live events. K-pop concerts are not judged only by vocals and choreography; they are packaged as full experiences, with pacing, styling, lighting, VCR segments, audience interaction, merchandise, and encore choices all contributing to whether fans feel the event justified the time and cost.

Several reactions cited in the discussion focused on practical disappointment, including the feeling that travel time exceeded the performance time for some attendees. Others expressed surprise that there were reportedly no cover stages or outfit changes, details that may seem secondary but often help separate a full concert from a showcase-style event.

At the same time, the backlash should be understood as part of a broader online conversation rather than a settled verdict on CORTIS as performers. First concerts can expose production choices, agency strategy, and fan expectations all at once. The debate around this show appears to be less about a single repeated song and more about what a rookie group’s first major live event should deliver.

For CORTIS, the attention creates both pressure and useful feedback. If the group continues to perform live, future shows will likely be compared with this first concert, especially in terms of setlist variety and staging. A more developed catalog, revised encore format, or added special stages could quickly change the tone of the conversation.

For now, the incident has turned a first concert into a broader discussion about value, preparation, and the standards fans apply to new K-pop acts. The group still has room to grow, but the reaction makes clear that even rookie status does not fully shield an artist or agency from scrutiny when audiences expect a polished concert experience.