HYBE’s First Group in 6 Years, CORTIS, Shatters Conventions Through Full Member Creative Involvement

HYBE Music’s new group CORTIS is setting a new standard for K-pop debut groups by enabling all of its members to actively participate in song creation. Launched six years after BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, CORTIS first made its presence known last month with the preview track “Web You Want.” Composed of five members averaging 17 years old, all still teenagers, the group spent two years composing over 300 songs to develop their unique musical style, which is fully reflected in their debut EP “Color Outside the Lines.” The group name means “painting outside the lines,” reflecting their efforts to transcend existing boundaries. Members went beyond simply being credited for writing and composing songs by also taking direct involvement in choreography and videography. In particular, Martin and James have already demonstrated their musical talent on tracks like ILLIT’s “Magnetic” and TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s “Déjà Vu.” Martin is a Korean-Canadian who has been working as a composer since he was 17. Juhoon, also 17, is a talented dancer and former child model. Seonghyeon and Jeewon, both 16, sparked a wave of “mom fans” on Chinese social media. The group’s youngest member, James at 19, is of Hong Kong-Thai descent, a former Trainee A, and was responsible for the choreography in TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s “Déjà Vu” and ILLIT’s “Magnetic.” The theme of “painting outside the lines” that runs through the entire album is expressed differently in each track—ranging from the declarations in “Go!” to the longing in “Web You Want,” self-expression in “Fashion,” freedom in “Joyride,” and a sense of unity in “Rollerby”—capturing the diverse emotional spectrum experienced by teenagers within one cohesive narrative. Musically, CORTIS blends early American hip-hop, trap, and pop with alternative rock and smooth jazz. They maximize the intersection of hip-hop and pop by layering synth elements over minimalist trap beats (“Go!”), and they released “Web You Want” as a preview, featuring 1960s psychedelic rock guitar riffs combined with hip-hop sounds to create a garage band vibe. “Fashion,” which draws heavily on sounds reminiscent of Travis Scott and Playboi Carti, serves as a fresh track for both hip-hop fans and K-pop enthusiasts. Efforts by these teenage artists to break free from the traditional definitions of what it means to be a teen are evident in each track. Establishing a consistent visual identity across music videos, album art, and performances is also a notable achievement for their debut EP. The videography work done by the members themselves goes beyond simple promotional content, functioning as a manifestation of their identity—something only possible because all members were actively involved in their debut album. The debut EP begins with “Go!,” which adds freshness through self-shot footage in camcorder style. “Fashion” celebrates youthful ambition by contrasting cheap clothes with dreams from fashion magazines, while “Joyride” slows down the pace to become the perfect soundtrack for a night drive. The EP also includes an English version of “Web You Want,” featuring American rapper Tizo Touchdown. CORTIS’s debut EP was released last month, selling 247,295 copies in the first edition—the highest figure among all groups that debuted this year. Despite HYBE’s strong support and their status as direct successors to BTS, CORTIS has established a clear distinction through their active involvement in their music. Musically, they have demonstrated a wide range of genres, from retro sounds to cutting-edge hip-hop. The group shows an effort to inherit the musical DNA of BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER while forging their own path, along with a determination to achieve true self-expression through music.