Cortiz apologized over an airport delay controversy during their recent return to Korea — and within a day, they were back in headlines for dominating global charts.
According to the latest Billboard charts (dated July 4), the group’s second mini-album 'Green Green' by Cortiz (Martin, James, Joohoon, Sunghyun, Gunho) ranked No. 94 on the main albums chart, the Billboard 200. It has now stayed on the chart for seven consecutive weeks — the longest run for a single album by a K-pop boy group that debuted in the past five years.
Meanwhile, the title track 'Red Red' entered the Global 200 at No. 65 and Global (Excl. U.S.) at No. 35 for nine straight weeks, while continuing a long reign on domestic streaming charts like Spotify and Apple Music.
Just a day earlier, Cortiz drew intense attention for issuing an apology.
Posts spread across online communities claimed the group missed the boarding time for their Paris-to-Incheon flight, causing a takeoff delay. Their label BIGHIT MUSIC responded: "Boarding was delayed due to traffic congestion caused by a car accident," adding, "We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to passengers on the same flight." However, the company denied allegations that the group blocked general passengers’ movements or changed outfits on the jet bridge.