Recently, the online community has been buzzing over suspicions that Juhoon — a member of the top K-pop rookie group CORTIS — is being excluded by his fellow members. Numerous moments captured in behind-the-scenes videos, vlogs, and the group’s reality shows have been closely scrutinized by netizens, sparking heated debate about how Juhoon is treated within the group.
Fans have pointed out many details suggesting that Juhoon may be treated differently compared to the other members. In one casual moment, Keonho asked Juhoon what ice cream he wanted. When Juhoon suggested they share a double cup, Keonho immediately declined. However, just seconds later, Keonho turned to Seonghyeon and offered to share a double cup — even though Seonghyeon had initially said he wanted a single cup. The two ended up happily sharing a double cup right in front of Juhoon, creating an awkward atmosphere that didn’t go unnoticed by viewers.
It didn’t stop there. Other situations also raised concerns. James, Keonho, and Martin were once seen laughing at Juhoon when he was ignored by Seonghyeon. Martin even joked that Seonghyeon avoided him because he didn’t give a high-five. When Juhoon extended his hand again for a high-five, Martin flat-out refused, citing that “you don’t high-five with your left hand,” making things even more awkward.
Keonho and Seonghyeon’s indifferent and sometimes stiff attitude when being interviewed by Juhoon has also become a talking point. In one instance, Seonghyeon walked away mid-interview, leaving Juhoon filming alone. Even more concerning, both Seonghyeon and Keonho exchanged glances and chuckled quietly at Juhoon’s visible awkwardness, which made many fans uncomfortable.
In another upsetting scenario, during a challenge where CORTIS members had to hug each other, Martin was tasked with hugging Juhoon. He clearly showed reluctance to carry it out, while the other members pointed, filmed, and laughed at the situation. James even joked that he was “lucky” not to have to do that challenge.
More notably, Juhoon is said to be frequently left behind in group activities. A typical example is during a thrill ride game: both Seonghyeon and Juhoon are afraid of heights, and it was Seonghyeon who invited Juhoon to ride together. However, when they got off, the other members completely left Juhoon behind — no one waited for or checked on him. Fans believe this is not an isolated case, pointing out that while the CORTIS members often playfully tease and interact with one another, they tend to go quiet and act indifferent when it comes to Juhoon.
In response to these viral clips and images, Juhoon’s fans have expressed outrage, claiming the idol is being treated unfairly and even subtly mistreated by the company. Reportedly, Juhoon is the last member to join CORTIS, with only about 1.5 years of training, while the rest have been together for 3–4 years or more. While it’s understandable that building closeness takes time, many believe the recurring patterns of exclusion, mockery, and being ignored have been happening since debut — and are hard to dismiss as coincidence.
On the flip side, some argue that the controversy is being blown out of proportion — especially since many of the circulated clips are short and heavily edited, taken out of context, and can easily mislead audiences about the members’ actual relationships. For example, the moment where Seonghyeon was accused of ignoring Juhoon actually took place backstage before a performance. According to the original caption from the show, Seonghyeon had just finished hairstyling and was immediately called by staff to change outfits. His brief appearance wasn’t a deliberate snub but due to tight pre-show schedules — a common occurrence for idols.
Similarly, fans questioned the claim that Seonghyeon isolating Juhoon during the thrill ride game was intentional, especially since Seonghyeon was the one who invited him to join. The fact that the other members moved on quickly after the ride was interpreted by others as youthful excitement in a fun setting, not necessarily intentional exclusion. Not long ago, Seonghyeon even offered Juhoon a bite of his snack after Juhoon asked if it was tasty — a moment of natural friendliness.
Some fans also highlighted other interactions that showed Juhoon being connected with the team. He has been given center positions, cared for by other members, and often appears cheerful and relaxed in behind-the-scenes content. Age is also a factor, as CORTIS includes several young members who may sometimes come across as blunt or lacking the subtle social finesse expected in front of cameras.
Other fans have expressed concern that this current wave of backlash may lead to unintended consequences. Constantly labeling Juhoon as “bullied” or “excluded” may damage not only the group’s public image but also put Juhoon in a difficult position, under heavier scrutiny with every move. Many are calling on the online community to remain rational, avoid hasty conclusions or personal attacks, and wait for any official response from the company or the members involved.
Sources: kenh14