The highly anticipated debut of HYBE’s rookie group CORTIS’s official light stick has certainly made waves, but not without contention. It was a hit or miss for many.
Recently, HYBE‘s rookie boy group CORTIS officially announced news of their official light stick.
The reveal immediately caught the attention of K-Pop enthusiasts, 
as the light stick was unique in that it did not look like most K-Pop light designs. 
Its aesthetic sharply contrasted with conventional light stick styles, making it instantly recognizable and a subject of intense discussion. 
However, it received quite a divided response from fans. 
Many fans also felt it resembled a candlestick, which quickly began trending online.
me at the cortis concert pic.twitter.com/sB5Z8rR3W8
— Yannah⁷ (@jeon_btsforever) July 8, 2026
This comparison ignited a flurry of online conversations and sparked a wide range of reactions from the community.
— 查WAOWAO (@cortisnt) July 8, 2026
me going to the CORTIS concert pic.twitter.com/51I79p0jfo
— K (0o0) 🎸☆彡 (@uriw0o0) July 8, 2026
K-Netizens also had various opinions about the design.
Comments varied widely, from critical observations to more accepting views: “It looks like it was made from AI.” “It looks like something you would use at a religious ceremony.” “It would be ok if they just removed the pole, but I think it’s fine, and it looks like it would match with home decor.” “It is so bad.”
The polarizing debut of CORTIS’s light stick continues to be a hot topic, proving that even a design choice can become a defining moment for a new group.
