CORTIS has become involved in an airport controversy after reports claimed the group boarded a Paris Incheon flight late.
On June 30, Big Hit Music, a HYBE label and CORTIS’ agency, addressed the issue and apologized to other passengers.
The agency stated, “For the Paris Incheon flight on June 26, boarding was delayed due to road congestion caused by a traffic accident at the time.”
Big Hit Music added, “We sincerely apologize for causing inconvenience to the passengers who used the same flight.”
According to reports, the flight was scheduled to depart from Paris at 2:40 PM local time. The airline reportedly began its final call at around 2:15 PM, while CORTIS allegedly boarded at around 2:45 PM, after the planned departure time. The plane later left the gate behind schedule and took off at 3:18 PM.
A person claiming to be a passenger on the same flight also posted about the situation online. The passenger claimed that some members of CORTIS’ side arrived at the gate first and asked the airline to wait for the rest of their group.
The agency explained that the delay was caused by traffic, but some people criticized the situation, saying late boarding can affect many passengers and that celebrities should follow the same airport rules as everyone else.
The issue also brought back attention to other recent celebrity airport controversies. IVE’s Jang Won Young previously faced criticism after she reportedly confirmed her identity at a security checkpoint by lowering only her mask while keeping her hat on.
After the criticism, Korea Airports Corporation added a notice asking passengers to remove both hats and masks during security checks.
Actor Byeon Woo Seok also faced controversy in 2024 after his security team was accused of excessive airport control, including restricting ordinary passengers and checking flight tickets.
An industry official commented, “Celebrities and their agencies should not expect special treatment, and they should also think carefully about how to avoid causing inconvenience to citizens.”
The official also said, “Rules at national security facilities and airline operation principles should be applied equally regardless of fame,” adding that similar airport controversies may continue if agencies do not change their approach.
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