CORTIS is a five-member K-pop group under the label Big Hit Music, a subsidiary of HYBE. The group, consisting of Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho, debuted in 2025, marking the first new boy group from the label in six years following TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT).
CORTIS’s core identity is defined by their name, an unconventional acronym for “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES,” which encapsulates their mission to subvert traditional K-pop standards. They are strategically positioned as a “young creator crew” rather than a traditional idol group, with all members actively involved in songwriting, choreography, and video production.
Biography
Basic Information
- Group name: CORTIS (코르티스)
- Debut date: September 8, 2025 (Korea)
- Company: BIGHIT MUSIC
- Number of members: 5
- Members: James, Martin, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, Keonho
- Official color: Not officially designated
- Fandom name: COER
- Lightstick: Not officially released
Members
- Martin (마틴): The group’s leader, Martin was born on March 20, 2008. He holds Canadian-Korean dual heritage, a background that makes him fluent in both English and Korean and a vital bridge for connecting with both domestic and international audiences. Prior to debut, he was known as a “teenager producer” and had a hand in writing and producing for several of HYBE’s senior artists. He has cited Tyler, the Creator and Mac Miller as some of his musical influences, which helps explain the group’s sonic direction.
- James (제임스): Born on October 14, 2005, James is the oldest member of the group. He is of Thai-Hong Kongese descent, and his diverse background enhances the group’s global appeal from the outset. Described as a “dance prodigy” and the group’s “idea bank,” he is a key contributor to choreography and creative concepts. He has a history as a semi-pro ice hockey player for 10 years and holds a black belt in taekwondo, which he credits with instilling the discipline necessary for his artistic pursuits.
- Juhoon (주훈): A Korean member born on January 3, 2008, Juhoon was a child model before his trainee days. His experience gave him a high level of understanding of photography and video, as well as stage control. He attended an international middle school, which helped him sharpen his English skills. Within the group, he serves as a “focal point for bringing the opinions of the members together”.
- Seonghyeon (성현): Born on January 13, 2009, Seonghyeon began his training at the young age of 13 and has been a trainee for approximately five years. He is described as a “creative powerhouse” with outstanding talents in singing and dancing. During his training period, he worked on over 100 tracks, demonstrating his prolific output as a lyricist.
- Keonho (건호): As the group’s youngest member, or maknae, Keonho was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2009. A Korean native from Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Keonho’s commitment to his dream is highlighted by his decision to drop out of Chonggye Middle School in 2021 to focus on his training. He is a key contributor to the group’s music videos and has been praised for his charismatic visuals.
Fun Facts
- Among the former Trainee A members, only James—who remained with BigHit until the end—was included in the debut lineup, while the rest were previously unrevealed trainees. Later, photos and videos surfaced showing them filming in Los Angeles.
- CORTIS is the first boy group to debut under BigHit Music in about 6 years and 5 months since TOMORROW X TOGETHER, who debuted in 2019. With this, the debut intervals between BTS → TOMORROW X TOGETHER → CORTIS have all been exactly 6 years apart.
- They are also the first idol group to debut since BigHit Music was spun off from HYBE. Bang Si-hyuk serves as the executive producer, while Supreme Boi and Hiss Noise are the main producers.
- Except for James, all of the members were born in the first quarter of the year. Since James’s birthday falls in the fourth quarter, there are no members with birthdays in the second or third quarters, making their birthdays overall relatively early in the year.
- None of the members have brothers. James and Juhoon are only children, Martin and Keonho each have an older sister, and Seonghyeon has a younger sister.
- At the time of their debut, all of the members were teenagers, with an average age of 17. The oldest member, James (born in 2005), is the only adult at debut and has no same-age member. The rest of the members each have one peer: Juhoon & Martin (2008), and Seonghyeon & Keonho (2009).
- Their blood types are limited to just two: Type A (James, Seonghyeon) and Type O (Martin, Juhoon, Keonho). CORTIS is also the first HYBE Labels group under a Korean label to have a leader with foreign citizenship and dual nationality.
- As heavily emphasized in their group introduction, they actively participate in songwriting, composing, and choreography, highlighting their self-producing identity. Martin uses FL Studio as his DAW when working on music (see their introduction video GO Remix).
- For their dorm, the five members are split into two rooms: Martin, Seonghyeon, and Gunho share one, while James and Juhun share the other.
- On September 18, 2025, just one month after their debut, they became the first rookie group debuting in 2025 to surpass 500,000 Spotify followers.
Career
The End of One Road, the Start of Another
The debut of CORTIS is not merely the introduction of a new group but a continuation of a meticulous long-term strategy by Big Hit Music. The label’s history reveals a distinct pattern of launching its flagship boy groups at six-year intervals: BTS in 2013, TOMORROW X TOGETHER in 2019, and CORTIS in 2025.
The conceptual roots of CORTIS extend back to a previous pre-debut project known as “Trainee A”. This initiative, which included trainees such as Lee Sangwon, Lee Leo, Jihoon, Jo Woochan, Yorch, and Justin Jay, was Big Hit’s initial experiment in cultivating a heavily self-produced group. The project’s YouTube series, “A-Road,” pushed trainees to create their own beats, direct content, and write their own lyrics, a clear precursor to CORTIS’s eventual model. While Trainee A ultimately underwent a “messy disbandment,” the core concept—that a group could own every aspect of its artistry—was not abandoned.
The continuity between the two projects is powerfully symbolized by James, who was part of Trainee A and remained with the company to debut in CORTIS.
A Strategic Debut Rollout
CORTIS’s entry into the public eye was a meticulously planned, multi-stage process. The group officially unveiled their pre-debut single, “GO!,” on August 12, 2025, complete with a Y2K-inspired music video filmed in Los Angeles. The track, which featured a “minimal trap beat and sharp synth layers,” served as an early declaration of their bold sonic identity.
This was followed by their official debut on August 18 with the lead single “What You Want”. The full debut EP, COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, was released on September 8, 2025. This staggered rollout built anticipation and allowed fans and the industry to gradually absorb the group’s distinct sound and visuals.
The Self-Produced Edge & Pre-Debut Credits
A cornerstone of CORTIS’s identity is the members’ extensive involvement in the creative process. All five members received credits on the debut album, contributed to the choreography, and were listed as co-directors on their official music video. This level of creative autonomy is highly unusual for a rookie group and serves to authenticate their “creator crew” branding.
Furthermore, several members had already established themselves as producers and writers before their official debut, a move that demonstrates Big Hit’s long-term investment in their artistic development.
Martin contributed to projects for major HYBE artists including ILLIT, TXT, LE SSERAFIM, and ENHYPEN, showcasing his versatile creative talent even before stepping into the spotlight. Similarly, James also worked with ILLIT and TXT, earning recognition for his performance direction and choreography input.
Achievements and Media Recognition
In September, despite having debuted for less than a month, CORTIS was simultaneously selected to grace the digital covers and appear in the print editions of the October issues of Vogue Korea and W Korea. Vogue Korea dedicated 22 pages, while W Korea published a 60-page edition book on the group.
On October 5, CORTIS was invited to the LAFC vs. Atlanta United Major League Soccer (MLS) game at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. They were the first Korean artist to serve as LAFC’s honorary falconer, a ceremonial role previously held by celebrities like Will Ferrell and Meghan Trainor. As part of the ceremony, the members released the team’s mascot hawk to signal the start of the match.
On October 25, 2025, the group won the Global Rookie award, recognizing their explosive growth and viral success on short-form platforms.
Their debut EP, Color Outside the Lines (released September 8, 2025), surpassed 1.06 million cumulative sales on the Circle Chart in approximately three months. They are the only rookie group to achieve million-seller status with a single debut album this year, showcasing an exceptional, rapidly growing fanbase.
The debut album also surpassed 100 million cumulative streams on Spotify in the shortest time for any group that debuted in 2025. It entered the Billboard 200 (US main album chart) at No. 15. This is the highest debut album position achieved by any non-project K-pop group in history, signaling immediate and significant international traction.
On November 28, CORTIS won the prestigious Best New Artist award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards, one of the biggest honors for a rookie group.
Early Life, Training, and Mentorship
The CORTIS members’ journey to debut was marked by significant personal dedication and sacrifice. Seonghyeon, for example, spent approximately five years as a trainee, beginning his journey at the age of 13. Keonho’s commitment was so profound that he made the decision to drop out of Chonggye Middle School in 2021 to fully dedicate himself to his training. These choices highlight the intense level of commitment required to debut in the highly competitive K-pop industry.
Upon entering the industry, the members benefited from a unique mentorship structure within HYBE. They received personal advice from their senior labelmates in BTS and TXT. BTS advised them to “do well by the people that you’re working with,” emphasizing the importance of a strong, respectful work environment. Juhoon noted that advice from BTS helped him by explaining that debut is just the beginning and that it is more important to “show improvement and keep evolving” than to be perfect from the start.
Controversies
Minors Sexualization
The group has faced controversy related to the sexualization of its youngest members, Keonho and Seonghyeon, who are 16 years old. Adult fans have made sexually suggestive comments and shared content about the minors, with one fan noting, “The Keonho dude is fucking 16. That is a child. A CHILD”. The visible discomfort of the members in response to these actions has been noted by fans.
Barely a week into their debut in September 2025, the group was involved in a serious incident regarding the violation of privacy when a user posted a disturbing video showing “fans” recording CORTIS members while they changed outfits backstage. This issue is a serious symptom of the dangers inherent in the parasocial model.
James’s Controversial MAMA Speech
James, a Taiwanese‑born member of CORTIS, delivered the group’s acceptance speech in English and Korean only after winning Best New Artist.
That decision triggered backlash from Chinese netizens who criticized him for not using any Mandarin — questioning his identity and accusing him of ignoring Chinese‑speaking fans.
The controversy deepened when the MAMA audience survey listed “China – Hong Kong – Taiwan” as three separate “nationality” options. Many saw this classification as a violation of the “One China” principle and considered it politically insensitive.
As debates rage online, supporters of James argue that using English/Korean at a global event like MAMA is understandable and aimed at reaching a wider international audience.
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