Big Hit Music’s brand-new boy group CORTIS has officially stepped into the spotlight!
On August 18 at 6 PM KST, CORTIS — made up of members Martin, James, Joo Hoon, Sung Hyun, and Geon Ho — made their long-awaited debut with their first track “What You Want.” This marks Big Hit’s third boy group, following global superstars BTS in 2013 and TXT in 2019.
For years, K-pop fans have talked about Big Hit’s so-called “6-year cycle success theory,” where the label launches a major boy group every six years. With CORTIS, fans believe the theory might just prove true again.
Even before debut, the hype around the group was massive. They gained 1 million TikTok followers in just 6 days, and by the morning of August 18, the number had already jumped to 1.4 million. Their pre-release intro track “GO!” also entered YouTube’s Trending Music Video charts in 11 regions, including Korea, the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
What makes CORTIS stand out is their unique identity as a “Young Creator Crew.” The members personally took part in producing their songs, choreographies, and even their music videos. All five members have their names credited on their debut album “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES.” They also helped create the choreography for “GO!” and even worked as co-directors for its MV.
As the youngest team under Big Hit, all members still in their teens, CORTIS is bringing fresh energy and originality to the industry. While “GO!” served as a preview, their debut title track “What You Want” is drawing attention for its bold genre mix — blending 1960s psychedelic rock guitar riffs with hip hop boom bap beats, a rare sound in K-pop.
Members Martin and James have already proven their talent by working on songs and choreography for senior groups like TXT, ENHYPEN, and ILLIT during their trainee days, raising expectations for CORTIS’s artistry.
Their performance is also a hot topic. The choreography for “What You Want” showcases the group’s confidence, power, and intensity, with surprise elements added to give fans an unforgettable stage. Fans can watch the Conceptual Performance Film for “What You Want” on HYBE Labels’ YouTube channel, released right alongside their debut.
Meanwhile, “What You Want” is described as CORTIS’s fearless declaration of stepping into a new world. After promoting their debut single, the group will officially drop their first album “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES” on September 8.
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