Fifth-Gen Idol Gets Inappropriately Touched On Camera, Fans Alarmed By Lack Of Outrage

A fifth-generation idol was inappropriately touched by an audience member, and fans are worried that there is not enough condemnation for the behavior.

The incident occurred at a recent university festival in Seoul, where CORTIS member James had to go through an inappropriate fan interaction.

James

During CORTIS’s performance, at one point, James jumped on the barricade to interact closely with the audience members and hype them up. While he was singing into his mic, a woman’s hand was seen grabbing at his body, his shirt, and then his hands. Though the idol kept singing, he was visibly uncomfortable with the gesture and quickly freed his hand from the audience member’s grip.

pic.twitter.com/glQiEWkhd2

— ZENITH ✶ (@AXTROPLUTO) May 14, 2026

As videos from the performance began spreading online, most fans seemed fascinated by the close interaction between James and audience members, unaware that he was being touched without his consent. However, as some fans began objecting to the girl’s actions, more and more condemnations flooded social media, with many calling on BIGHIT MUSIC to take the necessary action.

Fck I just noticed she touched james like that.. sorry I was too focused on james I didn’t noticed her hand touching him like that. Idols climbing on the barricade doesn’t mean you can touch them that freely! This is so disrespectful specially this is a ‘university festival’.… https://t.co/p7SuMcehdl

— dailyjames (@zhaoyufinesheyt) May 15, 2026

Why no one is talking about the girl’s action is too over? He likes to stand on barricade during performing but as a fan you should control yourself instead of touching the member everywhere. You know the girls even proving the other fans on other social media. https://t.co/iJ1mOEeVQL

— evvvvva (@evvvvva5) May 15, 2026

guys um why are we gagging over that video of the fans touching james..? He was very clearly uncomfortable??

— ana ᝰ.ᐟ 🚥 (@blankklight) May 14, 2026

idk abt yall but i do NOT think we should be romanticizing an idol getting touched unconsentually. he did not look comfortable w it and even guided her hand away, that’s not something to gag over, have some decorum

— ZENITH ✶ (@AXTROPLUTO) May 14, 2026

This incident has yet again pushed the internet to emphasize the importance of fan etiquette, as it pertains to not only the environment of a concert but also the artist’s safety.