CORTIS Breaks Boundaries with a Bold Handmic Performance

CORTIS stuns fans with bold handmic performances of “GO!” in Store Link Live and Music Bank.
Their raw vocals and stable live delivery set a new standard for K-pop rookies.
Global reactions highlight their authenticity, energy, and creative vision.

Big Hit Music’s new boy group, CORTIS (Martin, James, Ju-hoon, Sung-hyun, and Geon-ho), immediately stole the spotlight with their Store Link Live performance of the intro track “GO!” on August 26, 2025. Released through the YouTube channel GOGOSING, the video was far from just a promotional teaser—it showcased a polished, high-energy live stage that emphasized authenticity through the rare use of handmics. While most rookie groups shy away from this choice because it exposes vocal weaknesses, CORTIS turned it into their strength, underscoring their identity as a “young creator crew” unafraid to appear raw, genuine, and confident.

Authentic Live Energy and Urban Atmosphere

“GO!” is a track built on minimalist trap beats, sharp bass, and powerful synth layers that deliver a modern yet edgy vibe. In the Store Link Live video, CORTIS brought the song to life in a store-style urban space with sleek industrial lighting. The camera moved dynamically, following all five members as they sang and danced, highlighting their facial expressions, body gestures, and the confidence with which they gripped their handmics.

The choice of handmics made the performance feel alive. Every breath, intonation, and spontaneous interaction with the music and camera could be heard clearly. The result was an immersive experience, as if viewers were inside the room watching a raw mini-concert stripped of excessive production polish. Fans described the performance as “more like a small concert than a pre-debut showcase,” while others said the vibe reminded them of early BTS—brimming with energy and uncompromising authenticity.

CORTIS expanded on this bold concept with a live performance on Music Bank, once again using handmics. Despite the choreography being physically demanding and filled with jumps, their vocals stayed impressively stable. For many viewers, this was proof that the group has a solid foundation from the very start.

Audience Reactions and a Wave of Comments

The authenticity of CORTIS’s live stage was undeniable. Fans quickly noticed that the group barely relied on backtracks, and their voices sounded just as strong as the studio version. Their consistency while singing and dancing left many impressed, fueling waves of comments across platforms like YouTube.

Here are some of the standout reactions from viewers:

“Just debuted and already using handmics—and yeah, the mic is on. So proud, their vocals are incredibly stable.”

“There’s nothing to hate about their vocals.”

“Handmics with the mic on, even while doing choreography that leaves you breathless—their vocals stayed solid.”

“Even while jumping around, their voices stayed stable, woooi!”

“I’VE NEVER SEEN A KPOP ROOKIE GROUP THAT ARE SO STABLE IN THEIR LIVE PERFORMANCE”

“We can sense these are their true voices. Haters are just mad because they’re already so famous! They’re just teens having fun on stage, let’s support them to the fullest—GO CORTIS.”

“I’m speechless. Once again they proved how good they are. They barely had any backtrack. And people dare say they hide behind autotune lol.”

“Out of CORTIS’s two debut songs, I seriously can’t stop loving ‘Go’! I end up moving along without even realizing while listening..”

“People say it sounds like autotune, but this is probably the most stable rookie group ever. This is why we stan CORTIS.”

“Martin is way too talented for his age… how can you make such a good song?????”

“They are so incredible. They literally sound exactly like the studio version. They can sing, write lyrics, produce, create choreography, and participate in creating their own content and music videos. They’ve literally found their formula already.”

With comments like these, it’s clear that CORTIS’s live performances are no gimmick but genuine proof of their artistry. Their stable vocals with handmics, high-energy choreography, and global buzz weave a strong narrative: this group is already setting new standards for K-pop rookies.

Reactions across digital platforms consistently highlight how solid their performances are. Phrases like “hard to believe they’re still rookies” or “their blend of vocals, rap, and choreography feels flawless” frequently appear. The excitement shows that CORTIS has already struck a balance between singing ability, rap skills, and performance power—something most groups take at least a year to achieve.

The momentum from Store Link Live only adds to the growing anticipation for the official release of their EP Color Outside the Lines on September 8, 2025. The record features concise yet energetic tracks, including “GO!” and “What You Want.” This pre-debut showcase proves that CORTIS is positioning themselves not only as idol performers but as artists with a clear creative vision.

For the K-pop industry, CORTIS’s approach is a refreshing strategy. At a time when flawless production is the norm, they’ve chosen the bold path of raw live performance, winning respect for their authenticity. This solidifies their image as the next-generation creators under Big Hit Music. If the response to Store Link Live is any indication, their official debut is likely to elevate CORTIS as one of the most innovative rookie groups of the year.

Sources: YouTube (GOGOSING, KBS WORLD TV), Soompi, Allkpop, ChosunBiz