Debuts with DIY Ethos, CORTIS Aiming for Strong Color Like BTS

CORTIS, pre-debut hailed as 2025's top rookie and "little brothers of BTS/TXT," debuts after 6 years of agency preparation.
They champion collaborative creation ("bibimbap" teamwork), producing everything themselves, including MVs for all 5 debut tracks.
Debuting with rock/hip-hop/teen pop fusion ("What You Want," "GO!"), they aim to build a legacy as uniquely "CORTIS," inspired but not defined by seniors.

CORTIS, the five-member boy group under Big Hit Music, has officially debuted amid massive anticipation as HYBE’s first new act in six years since TXT. Pre-debut, they were already hailed as 2025’s "most promising rookie group," drawing inevitable comparisons to their world-conquering seniors BTS and TXT.

Yet, from day one, CORTIS— Sunghyun (16), Martin (17), Gunho (16), James (20), and Joohoon (17)—made it clear they’re no carbon copy. Their debut showcase at Seoul’s Blue Square on August 18 highlighted a fiercely independent identity.

"Our strength lies in our ability to blend together like a delicious bibimbap. We bring out our individual personalities while working together harmoniously to produce great results," Gunho emphasized.

This philosophy extends to their creation process, where they personally helm everything from lyrics and composition to choreography and music video direction,a rarity for rookies.

Their agency’s six-year incubation period paid off: CORTIS isn’t just riding coattails but redefining collaboration. Leader Martin (17) revealed their bond stems from years of DIY creativity.

"We grew up watching hip-hop crews and rock bands, gathering to make music or videos for fun. We call ourselves ‘Youngkeuk’ (Young Creator Crew)."

This synergy birthed their name, CORTIS, plucked randomly from letters in their debut album title "COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES", symbolizing their mission to "think freely and break from the world’s standards."

Debut Feels, Chemistry & Growing Pains

The group’s chemistry was palpable at their showcase, but their journey wasn’t without hurdles. Sunghyun detailed their collaborative growing pains.

"At first, we worked separately, but when songs stalled, we’d huddle to brainstorm a single lyric line. The result? Way better. Now, ‘putting our heads together’ is our mantra."

This trust fueled their ambitious debut rollout, including self-produced music videos for all five tracks on their album, filmed during a "practical brainstorming" trip spanning deserts to snowy mountains.

James laughed about one challenge which is choreography involving 11 treadmills.

"I got motion sickness every time we practiced singing while running. But it’s fun now!"

CORTIS’s debut album "COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES" features two standout tracks. The title song "What You Want", selected from over 300 demos melds "1960s psychedelic-rock guitar riffs" with a "blunt, hip-hop boom-bap rhythm," yet wraps it in bright, One Direction-esque teen pop. Joohoon called it their "introduction to the world," adding, "This song will become our face."

The pre-release track "GO!" pairs trap beats with synths and raw, coming-of-age lyrics ("Ever since I was little, I was a little strange in my neighborhood"). Martin, already a proven composer (he co-wrote ILLIT’s "Magnetic"), teased their hands-on approach by revealing member names via a TikTok video using his production software.

Dreams & Legacy

Facing the shadow of BTS and TXT, CORTIS admits pressure but channels it into ambition.

"It’d be a lie to say we don’t feel it. Thanks to our seniors, we feel responsible to work harder," they shared.

The support system is real: BTS cheered them with "Hope you do well," while TXT gave direct feedback after watching their rehearsals. Their ultimate goal? To echo their seniors impact while forging uniqueness.

As Martin put it: "In the distant future, we want to become a team with a strong color. We’d be happy to hear, ‘You’re like CORTIS.’"

With a debut this bold, and a creative vision this cohesive, they’re already on their way.

CORTIS’s debut album "COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES" drops September 8.

Source: Chosun