CORTIS MAKE DEBUT WITH LEAD SINGLE

Copyright: BIGHIT MUSIC

CORTIS (Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho) officially debuted today with the release of their powerful lead single ‘What You Want’, the first taste of their upcoming 1st EP COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES.

Sonically, CORTIS live up to their name by breaking boundaries. Blending the swirling guitar tones of 1960s psychedelic rock with the gritty boom bap of hip-hop, they create a sound both nostalgic and futuristic - an unconventional, genre-fluid approach that pushes K-pop into new territory.

Serving as a bold declaration of ambition, ‘What You Want’ sees the five-piece stepping fearlessly into a new chapter. The track’s daring lyrics - “Enough’s not enough to fill me up / Scarf it down, yuh, like a hippo” and “I don’t wanna turn back around / I’d rather hop the wall now” - capture their raw drive and refusal to hold back.

The release is accompanied by a Conceptual Performance Film, set dramatically against the vast Los Angeles desert. Shot in a single take with 35 treadmills, the performance highlights the group’s artistry and stamina, with choreography co-created by all five members. Their relentless movement across shifting treadmills embodies the track’s theme of unyielding pursuit, while the desert backdrop intensifies the film’s striking visual impact.

CORTIS mark a new era at BIGHIT MUSIC as the label’s first boy band debut in six years, following in the footsteps of global powerhouses BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER.

Their name, CORTIS, is an inventive mix of six letters drawn from the phrase “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES,” embodying their mission to defy limits and carve their own creative path. Just as the name suggests, CORTIS are committed to exploring sounds beyond the mainstream, making music on their own terms and pushing past conventional expectations.

‘What You Want’ is out now on all streaming platforms, with the full EP COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES arriving on 8 September 8.