CORTIS: BigHit’s new boyband changing the K-pop game
From self-produced tracks to bold concepts, here’s why CORTIS is the K-pop group to watch.
You know how in KPop Demon Hunters the idols double as performers and demon hunters? That’s the same dual-energy the latest K-pop boyband CORTIS carries into their debut.
On the surface, CORTIS is BigHit’s – the record label behind BTS and TXT – new pretty-boy lineup with sharp choreo and even sharper visuals. But behind that gloss, they’re writing, producing, directing, and shaping their own world. Slaying both the spotlight and the shadows, these boys are fresh but already filled with main-character energy.
Curious to find out who they are? Here are five quick tidbits about CORTIS. But be careful, because by the end of this article, you may find yourself sinking into a new fandom!
1. CORTIS colours outside the lines
Their group name, CORTIS, is made up of letters extracted from the phrase “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES.” It reflects the idea of thinking beyond and breaking free from the boundaries defined by the world. It’s a mantra to remind you that they’re here to scribble, smudge, and redraw the page.
2. CORTIS is BigHit’s first boy group in six years
Since TXT’s debut back in 2019, BigHit finally pulls the trigger with CORTIS on 18 August 2025. The group is dropping a mini-album on 8 September 2025, carrying the same name as their mantra, COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, featuring songs like the hip-hop track “GO!” and the lead single “What You Want”.
3. CORTIS is more than just idols
Gone were the days when idols just needed to look cool, cute and charismatic. CORTIS is rewriting the idol scene with a more hands-on approach. From crafting tracks, mapping choreo, to even directing their own videos, it seems there’s nothing they can’t do. Their debut already flexes self-produced cred with members taking charge of lyrics and choreography of “GO!” and directing the music video of “What You Want”.
4. CORTIS has legit talents
At just 17, Korean-Canadian Martin is already the group’s creative brain. His resume makes you jealous with songwriting credits for TXT, ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM, and ILLIT tucked under his belt before even debuting.
Hong Kongese-Thai James, 19, comes with a black belt in taekwondo and a stint as a semi-pro hockey player. These days, he channels that discipline into choreography with notable works like TXT’s Deja Vu and ILLIT’s Magnetic.
Then there’s Juhoon, 17, the brains-and-face combination that feels almost unfair. He has always been an intelligent all-rounder, from being fluent in English from a young age – translating for his soccer coach in Spain as a kid – to mastering violin and sports.
Seonghyeon, 16, may be quieter than the rest, but his work speaks loudest. He’s the one threading lyrics and shaping melodies behind the scenes. Honing his craft on about 100 tracks as a trainee, he leaves a trail of experience long before his official debut.
Closing the lineup is Keonho, the 16-year-old maknae, born just a month after Seonghyeon. A former competitive swimmer, he now takes charge behind the camera as well, directing visuals with surprising maturity.
5. CORTIS’s debut is as messy as it is bold
CORTIS’s pre-release single “GO!” came out on 10 August 2025. It gives the kind of raw, distorted-vibes energy you’d expect from a TikTok fever dream. Then “What You Want” dropped on 18 August 2025, along with their debut. It’s boom bap meets psychedelic rock, layered with heavy autotune. Their bold moves sparked conversations, and in this industry, that’s already half the battle.
Now that you know CORTIS better, it’s clear they’re stepping into K-pop with a fearless, “can do both on and off stage” energy. Whether they become your new ult bias or the wildcard shaking up the scene, they’re definitely carving out their place in K-pop history.