1) Is this a brand new hardcore? First I would try a different core to make sure the problem is with the core and not something else (filament, bowden, feeder, cura setting).
It is brand new, but i was printing with another core without underextrusion.
2) Which nozzle are you using on the hardcore? Does it match the "line width" in cura? You can't slice for a 0.4 core and then put a 0.25 nozzle on there and expect it to work just fine. You have to adjust the line width.
I'm a newb, but I'm not an idiot. I've altered settings applicable to this nozzle size, which is 0.4mm
4) Did you mess with speeds? Are you using default profile speeds?
I tried adjusting speed with no change in the underextrusion issue.
Here is the result at 125% (on the right) as compared to 100% (on the left):
EDIT: 150% made it worse. Trying to slow it down significantly next