BIGHIT Breaks Six‑Year Boy‑Group Silence with Multi‑Platform Debut of CORTIS on August 18, 2025
BIGHIT MUSIC, the label that catapulted BTS to worldwide fame, is set to break its six‑year silence on the boy‑group front with the debut of CORTIS on August 18, 2025. The five‑member sextet—Martin (the 2008‑born leader), James (born 2005), Zhu Hun (2008), Sung Hyun (2009) and Geon Ho (also known as “Keonho,” the 2009‑born “french fry boy”)—has been generating buzz not only because they are the first BIGHIT act since the phenomenon that reshaped K‑pop, but also because the rollout itself feels more like a performance art piece than a standard launch.
10 August 2025
The name CORTIS is a back‑ronym for “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES,” a mantra the group says encapsulates its intention to “break free from conventional rules and frameworks.” That rebellious spirit is being communicated through a staggered, multi‑platform debut schedule that starts with a pre‑release single titled “GO!” dropping on August 11, followed the next day by a concept performance video designed to showcase the group’s choreography and visual identity. The centerpiece of the week is the official debut on August 18 with the title track “What You Want,” a polished pop‑rock anthem that blends high‑energy production with the members’ youthful vocal timbres.
In a move that underscores HYBE’s increasingly global outlook, an English‑language version of “What You Want,” featuring American rapper and singer Teezo Touchdown, will be released on August 22, offering Western listeners a familiar entry point into the group’s sound. The physical debut album, complete with photobooks, lyric cards and collectible merch, is slated for a September 8 release, giving fans a tangible piece of the CORTIS narrative.
The pre‑debut period has already been anything but ordinary. BIGHIT streamed a 24‑hour live broadcast on the Hybe Labels YouTube channel, inviting fans worldwide to watch rehearsals, behind‑the‑scenes preparations and candid moments with the teenagers as they fine‑tuned their performance. The event, which ran from early July into the early hours of August 1, was framed as an “open‑door” invitation to witness the making of a new K‑pop legacy.
Industry observers say the meticulous rollout reflects HYBE’s broader strategy of pushing artistic boundaries while leveraging the company’s expansive digital network. By teasing content across multiple dates and platforms, the label keeps the conversation alive, ensuring that each release—whether a single, a video or a collaborative remix—receives its own spotlight.
Fans have taken to social media to dissect every detail, from the symbolism embedded in the group’s name to the subtle nods in the concept video’s choreography. The nickname “french fry boy” for the youngest member, Keonho, has become a meme in its own right, further cementing CORTIS’s early cultural imprint.
While the debut is unlikely to ripple beyond entertainment into politics or broader socioeconomic spheres, its significance within the music industry is clear. After a half‑decade without a fresh BIGHIT boy group, CORTIS arrives with a statement: K‑pop is still eager to innovate, and HYBE is ready to lead the charge. All eyes will be on August 18 to see whether the promise of “coloring outside the lines” translates into a new chapter for the genre and its global fanbase.
