CORTIS member Martin has become the subject of online criticism after a viral video compared his remarks about the group’s success with comments previously made by BTS leader RM.
The clip, which circulated widely on social media on October 23, 2026, reignited discussions about the similarities between the two BIGHIT MUSIC artists and prompted some BTS fans to accuse Martin of copying RM’s words and mannerisms.
The controversy centres on a statement about how credit for a group’s success should be distributed among its members, staff and fans.
Although both leaders were shown expressing similar sentiments, the comparison quickly became contentious, with viewers debating whether the resemblance was coincidental or an attempt to imitate an established artist.
Martin leads CORTIS, BIGHIT MUSIC’s newer boy group, while RM has led BTS throughout the group’s career.
Since CORTIS debuted, the two have frequently been compared, including over their appearances and leadership styles.
Those comparisons have occasionally created tension between their respective fandoms, and the latest clip has added another point of disagreement.
Viral Video Comparing Martin and RM Sparks Criticism
The viral video juxtaposes Martin discussing CORTIS’ success with RM making a similar point during BTS’ Permission To Dance press conference.
In Martin’s remarks, he attributed five percent of the group’s success to each member, 25 percent to the staff and the remaining 50 percent to fans.
The clip then cuts to RM expressing a comparable breakdown, crediting BTS’ fans with 50 percent of the group’s success, assigning five percent to each of the seven members and attributing the remainder to the agency.
The similarity prompted some viewers to question whether Martin had deliberately borrowed RM’s way of acknowledging fans.
Several posts on X criticised the resemblance, with some arguing that CORTIS should develop its own public identity rather than invite comparisons with BTS.
Other commenters focused on the circumstances surrounding the two groups’ careers.
Some fans argued that RM’s statement reflected BTS’ early experience as a group from a smaller company, while CORTIS debuted under the established HYBE label.
They therefore felt that the same percentage breakdown carried different implications for the two groups.
The discussion also extended to Martin’s gestures and delivery.
Some viewers claimed that his mannerisms resembled RM’s, while others questioned whether brief clips were sufficient to draw conclusions about his personality or intentions.
However, the viral comparison does not establish that Martin deliberately copied RM.
Giving credit to fans and staff is a common sentiment among artists, and the similarity between the statements alone does not prove that one was directly taken from the other.
Previous Comparisons Between the Two Leaders Resurface
The latest controversy follows earlier discussions about Martin’s admiration for RM and the similarities fans have perceived between them.
Some viewers have interpreted these parallels as evidence of influence, while others believe the comparisons have become excessive and risk overshadowing Martin’s own identity as an artist.
The disagreement has also highlighted the different expectations surrounding senior and junior artists working under the same entertainment company.
While some fans see inspiration from established performers as natural, others are concerned that newer groups may be presented through comparisons with their predecessors.
At the same time, some fans have defended Martin, arguing that acknowledging fans’ contributions is not exclusive to RM and that similar statements can arise independently.
They have also cautioned against turning speculation about an idol’s intentions into personal attacks.
Neither Martin nor BIGHIT MUSIC had publicly addressed the latest wave of criticism at the time of reporting.
Without further clarification, claims that Martin intentionally imitated RM remain allegations made by social media users.
For now, the viral clip has renewed debate about originality, artistic influence and the pressures faced by newer K-pop groups.
Whether fans view the similarities as a tribute, coincidence or reason for criticism, the discussion underscores how closely the actions of artists from the same agency can be scrutinised online.
