CORTIS: Big Hit Music’s New Boy Group Aiming to Redefine K-pop

Five teens, one name: CORTIS, a new era begins.
Crafting beats and breaking molds, they’re more than idols.
Too young? Maybe. Too powerful to ignore? Absolutely.

After six years without a new male group, Big Hit Music is finally introducing CORTIS, a five-member boy group of talented teenagers set to officially debut on August 18, 2025. The name CORTIS is an unconventional acronym for “Color Outside The Lines,” a phrase that symbolizes creative freedom and breaking out of societal norms. This philosophy forms the foundation of the group, which has been designed as a “young creative crew”—not just idols, but artists who craft their own work.

CORTIS consists of five young members from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of talents:

• Martin (마틴)
  Born: March 20, 2008
  Nationality: South Korea & Canada
  Known as a young producer, Martin already contributed to TXT’s “Beautiful Strangers.” He also collaborated with James on “Deja Vu” and “Miracle.”
  
• James (제임스)
  Born: October 14, 2005
  Nationality: China & Thailand
  A standout performer known for his choreography and stage presence, James is already being recognized as the group’s visual and performance centerpiece.
  
• Juhoon (주훈)
  Born: January 3, 2008
  Nationality: South Korea
  With calm charisma and a cool aura, Juhoon remains a mysterious figure fans are eager to learn more about.
  
• Seonghyeon (성현)
  Born: January 13, 2009
  Nationality: South Korea
  His friendly visuals and innocent charm have already made him a fan favorite from the start.
  
• Keonho (건호)
  Born: February 14, 2009
  Nationality: South Korea
  Often dubbed the group’s “main visual,” Keonho captivates fans with his intense gaze and effortlessly natural vibe.
  

As a “creative crew,” the group made their first official appearance through a “Logo Sound” video released on TikTok at midnight on August 7. The track was produced by Martin himself using his own music software. The video, which shows them working in their personal studio, reinforces the group’s core identity—CORTIS isn’t just about performance, but about authenticity, freedom, and self-made artistry.

Fan Highlights: Photos, Videos, and Reactions Leading Up to CORTIS’s Debut

Since the launch of CORTIS’s official account, fans have been quick to show their love—flooding platforms with personal uploads, fan-made content, and excited posts celebrating the group’s fresh presence. Here are a few standouts:

These fan posts reflect just how deeply fans are already emotionally invested—even before the group’s debut. Fans aren’t just waiting for music or performances; they’re expressing pride and hope for these members as the face of a new K-pop generation.

As buzz continues to grow, netizens on X (Twitter) have chimed in with reactions ranging from amazement to concern and curiosity. The extremely young age of the members has become a hot topic—but many also express confidence in their potential and creativity. Here are some of the most talked-about comments:

“Babieess”

“where do they scout those toddlers omg”

“Some of them are producers 🤩”

“16 and 17 !?!? Are they allergic to debuting ADULTS ?”

“kids??? 😭😭😭 bro k”

“omg they’re so young, hopefully they have good music and choreography (without over sexuaIizing them or aggressive hip thrusting, y’know BigHit LOVES that, for some reason.)”

“Seems like first time I’m looking at a group who’s members are younger than I am 🙂💜🔥 BIGHIT never disappoints…. looking frwd”

“Actually feel like they’re gonna do good. Martin already had song writing credits with some of HYBE groups like TXT (most recent). Excited to see what they do”

“No way even younger than me?? 😭”

These comments capture the internet’s mixed emotions about the industry’s trend of debuting ever-younger idols—ranging from concern about their well-being to excitement about their raw talent. But one thing is clear: CORTIS is already making people talk. And that’s a powerful start.

With the pre-release MV “GO!” scheduled to drop on August 11 and their official debut set for August 18, CORTIS is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated rookie groups of 2025. They’re not just young idols—they’re emerging voices redefining the boundaries of the K-pop industry.

📌 Follow their journey on their official X and TikTok account @cortis_bighitSources: Daum, Allkpop, Official CORTIS SNS (@cortis_bighit), Melon Credits, X (formerly Twitter)

Sources: Daum, Allkpop, Official CORTIS SNS (@cortis_bighit), Melon Credits, X (formerly Twitter)