A recent busking event featuring the K-pop group CORTIS in Hongdae, Seoul, on March 7, 2026, ended in disarray after an unexpectedly large crowd gathered, leading to safety concerns and frustration among both fans and staff. The event, intended as a close-up performance for supporters, quickly became overwhelmed, sparking criticism over event planning and crowd control.
The boy group performed a medley of their popular songs at a playground in Hongdae, a district known for its vibrant street performances and bustling atmosphere. Even as the intention was to create an intimate experience, the open nature of the location and the event’s popularity resulted in a rapidly growing crowd. The situation quickly escalated as fans pressed closer to the stage, lacking adequate barriers or security personnel to manage the flow of people.
건호 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 pic.twitter.com/3pJlAoQjm3
— ౨ৎ (@xanxove) March 7, 2026
Footage and accounts from attendees circulating on social media reveal a chaotic scene. Fans were reportedly pushing and shoving, and at least one person reportedly became ill during the performance, with one attendee noting someone threw up due to the intense crowding. CORTIS was ultimately limited to performing only two songs before the event was brought to a halt.
Staff Response Draws Criticism
The response from event staff further fueled the backlash. A recording shared online captured a staff member stating, “If this happens, we can’t plan such quality 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 statement was widely interpreted as blaming fans for the overcrowding and lack of organization, prompting a wave of criticism online. Many felt the responsibility lay with the event organizers for failing to anticipate and mitigate the potential for large crowds, especially given the event’s location and promotion.
~발생하면 다음에도 이런 좋은 이벤트 저희가 기획할수가없어요 네? pic.twitter.com/dtKp4d6QC3
— 기목이 (@eeeoeeos) March 7, 2026
Social media users expressed anger at what they perceived as a dismissive attitude from the team. One user, quoted by multiple outlets, stated, “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.” Another user questioned the logic of holding an event open to the public on a busy weekend without adequate security measures, stating, “You guys were the ones who started this, no one asked you to. So why are you turning fans into fools?”
The incident highlights the challenges of managing large crowds at public events, particularly in popular areas like Hongdae. The area is a well-known hub for street performances and attracts significant foot traffic, especially on weekends. The CORTIS event, while intended as a positive interaction with fans, underscores the importance of thorough planning, robust security measures, and clear communication to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all attendees. The group CORTIS recently achieved success with their song “Call,” reaching a milestone on the Billboard charts, according to Billboard.
Cortis has arrived in hongdae#CORTIS #코르티스 pic.twitter.com/oGC4j4c4Mf
— 팔일팔 (@palilpal) March 7, 2026
As of now, CORTIS’s agency has not issued a formal statement addressing the incident or outlining any steps to prevent similar issues at future events. The situation raises questions about the responsibility of event organizers to prioritize safety and effectively manage crowds, particularly when events are promoted to a wide audience in public spaces. The agency’s response, or lack thereof, will likely be closely watched by fans and industry observers alike.
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact CORTIS’s public image and future event planning. The group is scheduled to participate in several K-pop tour events throughout 2026, as detailed in Soompi’s 2026 K-Pop Tour Masterlist. It is anticipated that the agency will need to address the concerns raised by this event to maintain fan trust and ensure the smooth execution of future performances.
What are your thoughts on the importance of event safety and crowd control at public performances? Share your opinions in the comments below.
