CORTIS, the rising stars of K-pop from BIGHIT MUSIC, are poised to revolutionize the industry with their innovative approach to music. Comprising five talented individuals with an average age of just seventeen, this dynamic group embodies a philosophy of unrestrained creativity, evident in their self-produced music, captivating choreography, and compelling visual content. Their journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to authenticity, embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences to craft narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.
\nCORTIS Unveils Bold Debut with \"What You Want\" and Pioneering Artistic Vision
\nOn a bright day in August 2025, the music world received a jolt with the official debut of CORTIS, BIGHIT MUSIC's newest sensation. Their highly anticipated single, \"What You Want,\" dropped alongside a visually stunning music video, a realization of a concept meticulously crafted by the members during their trainee days. This release paves the way for their debut EP, aptly titled COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, which is slated for a September 8th launch. The group's name itself, a clever fusion of \"COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES,\" encapsulates their core identity: an embrace of raw originality and a fearless determination to shatter conventional artistic barriers.
\nThe members of CORTIS bring a rich tapestry of experiences to their collective. Martin, the seventeen-year-old Korean-Canadian leader, draws inspiration from hip-hop legends like Tyler, the Creator and Mac Miller. James, at nineteen, the eldest and a Taiwanese black belt in taekwondo, boasts a past as a semi-professional hockey player and a self-taught dancer. Juhoon, also seventeen, the group's \"brain,\" transitioned from a youth modeling career to an academic standout before joining BIGHIT. Keonho, the spirited sixteen-year-old, was a competitive swimmer, while Seonghyun, just a month younger, forms a third of the group's \"creator trio\" alongside Martin and James, showcasing versatile talents. This blend of individual histories infuses their work with unique perspectives, shaping narratives that spring from genuine lived experiences rather than pre-defined formulas.
\nDuring a candid conversation with Hypebeast, Keonho and Seonghyeon emphasized the natural inclination towards experimentation within the group. \"What You Want\" emerged not as a rigid adherence to the EP's concept, but as a genuine reflection of their artistic vision and preferred musical styles. Juhoon highlighted the track's music video choreography, particularly the innovative use of treadmills. This bold choice, born from a desire to push boundaries, exemplified their \"coloring outside the lines\" philosophy, turning a seemingly unconventional idea into an enjoyable and groundbreaking creative endeavor.
\nThe group's collaborative process thrives on spontaneity and shared artistic curiosity. Martin expressed gratitude for an environment that encourages uninhibited exploration. He noted how their self-produced music videos for tracks like \"GO!\" and \"JoyRide,\" filmed simply with a camcorder, became the foundational inspiration for official releases, showcasing their raw sound and authentic selves. Keonho fondly recalled brainstorming for \"GO!,\" even experimenting with a 360-degree camera in their mouths—a playful idea that ultimately found its way into the official video, demonstrating how embracing the unexpected can lead to meaningful artistic outcomes.
\nJames recounted the unscripted origin of the \"Lullaby\" music video, which began as a relaxed desire to chill by the pool, leading to the challenge of a single-take shoot. Seonghyeon concurred, admitting initial reluctance towards filming \"Lullaby\" due to editing concerns, but ultimately embracing the visualizer concept, which further showcased their organic approach. Even their lyrical themes, as Keonho revealed, often arise from open discussions, like the inspiration for \"FaSHioN\" stemming from a casual studio conversation about their vintage shopping experiences in Dongmyo. Martin emphasized that their songs serve as authentic snapshots of their daily lives, expressing genuine desires in \"What You Want\" and weaving emotional depth into \"Lullaby,\" inspired by observing his tired bandmates.
\nThe members' diverse cultural backgrounds, while presenting occasional differing perspectives on minor daily matters, ultimately strengthen their creative unity. James affirmed that despite these differences, their core artistic tastes align. Juhoon acknowledged the distinct personalities within the group, emphasizing that harmonizing these varied viewpoints elevates their originality. They recalled initial struggles in lyric writing for \"GO!\" due to conflicting opinions, which led them to develop their current line-by-line collaborative method, fostering a cohesive and enhanced creative flow. Seonghyeon echoed this sentiment, highlighting how this joint approach streamlined the process, especially for \"FaSHioN.\"
\nWitnessing their trainee-day vision for \"What You Want\" come to fruition has been a \"truly surreal\" experience for James, who reflected on the limited resources they had during self-filming. Keonho, despite initial anxieties about the acting demands of the official music video, was ultimately thrilled by the final product, which beautifully actualized their artistic vision despite earlier constraints. CORTIS aspires for their music and the \"coloring outside the lines\" philosophy to inspire a broader shift in K-pop, encouraging a more experimental, genre-bending landscape. Martin cited \"Lullaby\" as a prime example of their innovative spirit, blending unexpected jazz elements with soulful vocals to create a truly fresh sound that challenges traditional K-pop stereotypes. They are committed to consistently pushing creative boundaries, embracing challenges, and shaping K-pop's future with their distinctive and evolving sound.
\nCORTIS stands as a vibrant testament to the power of authentic artistic expression. Their journey highlights how diverse backgrounds, collaborative synergy, and a fearless approach to creativity can not only challenge the status quo but also carve out a unique space within a highly competitive industry. Their commitment to 'coloring outside the lines' serves as an inspiring blueprint for aspiring artists, proving that genuine passion and unconventional thinking can truly redefine what's possible in the world of music. As they continue to grow, CORTIS is not just making music; they are crafting a legacy of innovation and heartfelt artistry that promises to resonate far beyond the K-pop scene.