CORTIS Makes K-Pop History on Stage at NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

K-Pop rookie boy group CORTIS achieved historic success by performing in the halftime show of the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on February 13. This marks the first time a K-Pop artist has performed during the NBA All-Star weekend, representing a groundbreaking collaboration that breaks down barriers between sports and popular music.

CORTIS is the third boy group under HYBE Music, consisting of five members: Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho. Debuted in August 2025, the group quickly gained attention for its self-produced style and commitment to moving beyond traditional K-Pop formulas. Each member actively participates in the creative process, handling songwriting, production, and music video direction, while showcasing individual strengths in vocals, rap, and performance. The group name is an abbreviation of “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES,” reflecting a philosophy of creative freedom and a desire to break existing rules.

Their debut studio album, “Color Outside the Lines,” released on September 8, 2025, features tracks such as “GO!”, “FaSHioN”, and the title track “What You Want”. Before their debut, CORTIS spent three months in Los Angeles working with American producers and composers, shooting concept photos and music videos against recognizable locations in LA like Pico Place, Wilton Theatre, and areas near Koreatown. The album reached position 15 on the Billboard 200 chart, making them the only rookie group to achieve this in 2025. It surpassed 100 million streams within its first month, and their fanbase on TikTok and Instagram exceeded 19 million members.

CORTIS also headlined the “NBA crossover concert series” held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 12, performing alongside LudaChris and Shaboozey. This concert marked the start of the NBA All-Star weekend events running from February 13 to 15, concluding with the NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome.

CORTIS’s appearance in the Celebrity Game halftime show was broadcast on ESPN at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. This collaboration reflects the growing connection between K-Pop and basketball. In recent years, the NBA has built relationships with various K-Pop groups, including BTS member SUGA who has served as an NBA ambassador since 2023, as well as LE SSERAFIM and ENHYPEN, through the “Friends of the NBA” program.

CORTIS stated, “Joining ‘Friends of the NBA’ is a milestone we never imagined at the beginning of our debut.” They added, “Our goal is to deliver music that defies conventions with our philosophy of ‘coloring outside the lines,’ which resonates deeply with the NBA’s creative and adventurous spirit. We are truly eager to connect with fans through this special collaboration where sports and culture intersect.”