On the evening of November 29, the second night of MAMA Awards 2025 occurred in Hong Kong under extraordinary circumstances. A few days earlier, a devastating fire had shaken the city, forcing the organizers to drastically scale back the event. With no red carpet, fireworks or fire-themed LED effects, performers were asked to rein in their emotions and strictly adhere to fire safety protocols.
Yet, amidst these limitations, one group has burst into the hushed atmosphere with uncontainable energy: CORTIS. Appearing alongside heavyweights such as aespa, TXT and even G-DRAGON, the rookie group stunned the audience with a high-octane performance of two songs from GO! and FASHION.
The performance began with a self-produced introduction by member Martin, who appeared on stage with a full set of production tools and equipment – a powerful statement of their identity as a “self-produced group”. From there, CORTIS launched into an explosive routine full of confident stage presence and sharp choreography.
“It seemed like they were possessed” one spectator said, as the fans’ screams nearly drowned out the stadium’s sound system. Despite debuting less than six months ago, the group’s onstage leadership rivaled even seasoned idols, leaving no doubt as to why they are hailed as Korea’s hottest new band.
Their viral popularity was immediately evident, both live and on social media, culminating in them winning Best New Artist at the event. This victory further cemented their status as the emerging group of the new generation.
CORTIS, managed by BigHit Music, features five members: Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon and Keonho. Their name is short for Color Outside the Lines, which represents a creative and cutting-edge ethos. Their “Young Creator Crew” concept sets them apart from other groups by involving them directly in songwriting, production and visual identity.
Debuting in August 2025, CORTIS made waves with their pre-debut single GO! and debut EP Color outside the lineswith the track What you want. The album achieved the fourth-highest debut sales in K-pop history and entered the Billboard 200 at number 15, an exceptional feat for a debut artist. Their tracks GO!, What you wantand FaSHioN have dominated viral charts globally, while their social media following has skyrocketed in just a few weeks.
From the Tiktok Korea Awards TO MOMCORTIS continues to garner recognition, confirming that they are not just a trend, but a force shaping the future of K-pop.
Sources: kenh14
