Courtesy of BIGHIT Music
Launched by BigHit Music as the label’s first new group in six years, CORTIS has been widely seen as the next act to follow in the footsteps of BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER.
From their manifesto-like debut track “GO!” to the punchy “What You Want,” their music is marked by free-spirited energy and refreshing visuals. Even before debut, the group caught attention for participating in overseas songwriting camps, setting them apart from the typical rookie path.
On Monday (Sept. 8), the group unveiled their first album, COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, with a commemorative release event. This was CORTIS’ first stand-alone concert under their own name — and also their largest stage to date. The venue, with just under 8,000 seats, carries its own symbolism, as BTS also stood on the same stage roughly a decade ago. Every seat was filled, while fans from 190 countries tuned in via Weverse, HYBE Labels’ official YouTube channel and TikTok. The event was designed to introduce the album in the members’ own words, premiere new performances and create lasting memories with fans.
The lights dimmed, and as the first heavy beats dropped, the anticipation for CORTIS’ arrival reached its peak. In a surprising move, the group didn’t appear from the main stage but emerged instead through the ground-floor entrance aisle, immediately catching the audience off guard. The unexpected entrance segued into the first-ever performance of their follow-up track “FaSHioN,” a song choreographed with input from the members themselves. After its powerful, addictive energy contrasted with earlier releases “GO!” and “What You Want,” the members briefly addressed the crowd before launching into “GO!,” the very song that first introduced CORTIS to the world. They then offered behind-the-scenes stories about the making of their debut album and music videos. “We wanted to keep things casual with you, so we decided to go without an MC,” leader Martin explained, displaying the poise and confidence of a seasoned frontman. During the “album brag time,” the members described their project as “complicated yet simple, just like our inner selves,” “an honest album,” and “all about freshness.”
Soon after, the stage transformed into “the hideout,” a set designed to resemble the members’ own studio space. Here, they reminisced with fans by sharing memories attached to five emojis drawn on Post-its, recalling their early days before debut. Inspired by “FaSHioN,” the group launched into a fan event to find the “Best CORTIS Look-Alike.” Juhun and James roamed the second-floor seats while Martin, Gunho, and Sunghyun descended into the first floor, delighting fans with up-close interactions. Fans couldn’t hide their excitement as they exchanged high-fives and hand hearts with the members, amplifying the energy in the venue.
Later, after a costume change, CORTIS returned to the stage with a jaw-dropping expansion of their already-acclaimed treadmill performance of “What You Want.” While they had previously performed with 11 treadmills on a music broadcast, this time the number swelled to 31. Even while dancing on the moving machines, the group executed flawless choreography and led the crowd into synchronized waves of cheers.
The mood shifted again with the first live stages of album tracks “JoyRide” and “Lullaby.” Where earlier songs had highlighted the group’s intensity, these numbers showcased restraint and emotional depth. “JoyRide” unfolded with the warmth of a carefree drive through Malibu, while “Lullaby”—which Martin singled out for its favorite opening lyric, “Why turn on the A/C when it’s already cold?”—captured the suffocating pressures of adolescence. The music video for “Lullaby” also premiered during the event, just before fans passionately demanded an encore of “FaSHioN.” Donning T-shirts printed with fan notes, the group charged across the stage with even greater abandon than before.
As the concert neared its conclusion, emotions ran high. Eldest member James shed tears while expressing gratitude: “Thank you so much to everyone who came today.” Having endured the longest trainee period among the members, his words carried palpable weight. Sunghyun was visibly moved as well, while Martin addressed the crowd with steady conviction: “Thank you sincerely for filling this space today. It’s going to be a long journey, but we hope you’ll stay with us.” The group then delivered “What You Want” in a special handheld mic version.
But the night didn’t end there. Fueled by fans’ unrelenting chants, CORTIS surprised everyone with an unscripted double encore, once again performing “FaSHioN.” A final photo session—a hallmark of K-pop shows—closed out the two-hour release party. Even as the curtain fell, the members waved until the last moment, while fans lingered outside the venue, reflecting on the unforgettable experience.
CORTIS’ debut has not been without scrutiny. Their first single “GO!” drew attention for its surprisingly polished execution, especially for a group composed entirely of minors. Their self-produced original music video for “What You Want” even sparked speculation over whether it was “too staged.” Yet the release party put such doubts to rest, offering authenticity in abundance. From revealing the decision to use 360-degree cameras in the MV to anecdotes like naming “Lullaby” after catching a member asleep on the studio couch, CORTIS demonstrated how deeply involved they are in every facet of their artistry.
Despite being rookies, they commanded the stage without an MC for more than two hours, filling the time with stories, music, and natural charisma. Their flawless execution of demanding choreography, ease in navigating a large venue, and genuine passion for music all underscored that their talent speaks for itself. Their eyes sparkled whenever they talked about music, and Martin’s promise—“We’ll continue to show you stages that you love, as artists who love music just as much”—resonated as proof of their sincerity.
The release party was not simply a debut showcase. It was a declaration of intent from a self-proclaimed “young creator crew,” determined to carve out their own path rather than conform to prescribed standards.
Instead of conforming to ready-made answers or rigid molds, CORTIS created their debut album ‘COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES’ with the determination to draw their own lines. On its first day, the album sold 247,295 copies, marking the highest debut-day sales among rookie groups this year, and within three days, cumulative sales surpassed 310,000. The global response has been equally striking: the album entered the U.S. Apple Music Top Albums chart (Sept. 9) at No. 65, debuted on the U.S. iTunes Top Albums chart (Sept. 11) at No. 88 before climbing to a peak of No. 32, and landed at No. 2 on Japan’s Oricon Daily Album Ranking (Sept. 9). In China, every track from the album entered QQ Music’s Rising, Popularity, and New Song charts. With such overwhelming attention on their debut and the sincerity the five members displayed at their release party, anticipation is running high to see how CORTIS will continue to shape their one-of-a-kind color.
Courtesy of BIGHIT Music
