A lyric from CORTIS‘ new song “MONEYMONEYMONEY” sparked debate online after member Keonho referenced singer-songwriter Hanroro by name, but both artists have since made clear that the line was intended as a sign of respect.
CORTIS released the expanded edition of its second mini album GREENGREEN_playextended on August 24th, adding new tracks “PACK IT UP” and “MONEYMONEYMONEY” to the original six-song tracklist.
The latter is a hip-hop track built around the members’ candid thoughts on money, including the idea that while money may not guarantee happiness, there are still many things in life that are difficult to do without it.
One lyric in the latter quickly drew attention for its wordplay involving Hanroro’s name and her song “0+0“: “I wanna get paid while I play, Pororo/ Stackin’ zeros on zeros in my account, like Hanroro/ They say it’s all brainrot, but everyone’s slurping it down.”
The song had been previewed during CORTIS’ tour and first-anniversary concerts on August 22nd and 23rd, and once the lyric circulated, some fans questioned whether the reference was appropriate. Hanroro has built a strong following around her poetic, introspective lyrics and emotionally driven music, leading some listeners to object to her name and “0+0” being used as wordplay in a song centered on money.
A post criticizing the lyric reportedly surpassed 1 million views on X in less than a day, with the debate eventually spreading between the two artists’ fan communities.
비공개돌려봤자 코르티스가 이랬다는건 안변함..ㅠㅠ pic.twitter.com/F1P106CwcH
— 콩둥이 (@k7iiAce) August 22, 2026
Keonho addressed the discussion himself on Weverse on August 24th, opening his post with, “Shout out to Hanroro!”
He said he had become even more immersed in her music after recently taking up reading as a hobby. “Her lyrics read like poetry, and as a listener, I can relate them to my own experiences,” he wrote. “That’s why I like her music.”
“I want to write lyrics well too, so I’ve really taken the time to look closely at her lyrics, and I’ve listened to her songs a lot in the car with my friends,” he added. “Thank you for always writing such beautiful lyrics.”
Explaining why he referenced her in the new song, Keonho explained, “I gave her a shout-out, but I personally wanted to show my respect one more time, so I’m posting this.”
Hanroro later responded through her own fan platform, saying Keonho’s message had indeed reached her.
“I’ve seen the members enjoying and singing along to ‘0+0.’ I’m really grateful,” she wrote. “What could be more meaningful than musicians communicating through music and filling each other’s hearts?”
Addressing the disputed lyric directly, Hanroro said, “I’m taking the mention in the new song in a positive way.”
She described “0+0” as a song that had given both her and the CORTIS members different emotions and interpretations, adding that the single line in “MONEYMONEYMONEY” could become “a way to remember this moment of mutual respect for a long time.”
Her response effectively reframed the debate from a possible slight into an exchange of appreciation between the two artists, with both Keonho and Hanroro publicly describing the reference as one rooted in respect.
>> CORTIS Draws Mixed Reactions After Performing the Same Song 5 Times at First Concert
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