Korean rookie boy group CORTIS, who debuted in August 2025, has garnered attention for their striking visuals and stage prowess. However, the group has recently faced successive discussions regarding their dormitory hygiene. First, member Juhun (주훈)'s bed sheets were photographed with noticeable stains, sparking heated debate among netizens. Now, footage of another member, James (제임스), cleaning the dorm barefoot has resurfaced, showing his feet visibly darkened, leading many to exclaim, "It's really a bit disgusting!"
The controversy originated from a video previously released on CORTIS's official YouTube channel, which documented the members packing before a trip to the United States. At the time, Juhun picked up the camera and gave fans a tour of the room he shared with James. Unexpectedly, nearly a month after the video was uploaded, the bed scene became an online talking point.
A netizen screenshotted Juhun's bed and shared it on the Korean forum theqoo. The photo showed multiple obvious stains on the bed sheets, prompting extensive discussion among users. Some argued that idols' living environments should maintain a certain level of cleanliness, finding the state of the bed sheets unacceptable. Others compared it to other members' beds, noting that while everyone used white sheets and pillows, the others appeared relatively clean, suggesting the issue might be related to personal habits.
Comments were quite direct, with some exclaiming, "Oh my god, that's really disgusting!" Others speculated that the bed might have accumulated sweat and dirt, even worrying that long-term sleeping in such an environment could affect skin conditions. Some netizens also wondered, "Don't celebrities usually have housekeepers? Other members' things are all clean, so what's going on here?" The related post garnered nearly 60,000 views, indicating significant discussion.
Just as the bed sheet controversy began to gain traction, another member, James, became a focal point for hygiene-related footage. In a behind-the-scenes video for the song “TNT” released earlier this year, members began tidying and cleaning the dorm. When James appeared barefoot, the soles of his feet were noticeably dark, contrasting with his original skin tone and appearing to be covered in dirt.
This footage was recently rediscovered by netizens and re-shared on TikTok with content related to James's birthday on October 14, unexpectedly sparking discussion. Many focused on the soles of his feet, commenting, "What on earth is going on?" Some bluntly stated, "Oh my god, that's really a bit disgusting!" Others even joked that they finally understood why the members were cleaning the dorm.
Netizens also dug up past related discussions, mentioning previously debated brown bed sheets and scenes of members farting and burping at each other in videos. They jokingly remarked that the group's daily life is always full of unexpected "flavors." Some couldn't help but say they wished they hadn't seen the video.
However, some voices argue that idols are also ordinary people and are bound to have imperfect moments in their lives. They suggest that scrutinizing them based on a short clip seems unnecessary. As for whether the dark marks on James's feet are dirt or due to other reasons, the video itself does not provide further confirmation.
From Juhun's stained bed sheets to James's feet while cleaning barefoot, CORTIS's dorm life has repeatedly become a focus of online discussion. However, the actual cause of the bed sheet stains and whether the dark marks on James's feet are dirt or something else cannot be confirmed solely from the videos. While these topics have sparked heated debate, they have once again brought the private living habits of idols into the public spotlight.
