Martin (CORTIS): The 17-year-old genius of BigHit, causing a fever with his top-notch songwriting talent

Martin ( CORTIS ) – the leader born in 2008 of BigHit Music, attracted attention with his talent for composing and producing music for TXT , LE SSERAFIM and his attractive hybrid appearance that fascinated global fans.

CORTIS is the new boy band of BigHit Music (under HYBE Labels), debuting on August 18, 2025. The group's name stands for "Color Outside The Lines", which means pushing limits and creating without a framework. With a 5-member lineup consisting of Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon and Keonho, CORTIS is considered "the most ambitious rookie project after TXT". As soon as they debuted with the single What You Want, the group made a big splash when the MV reached 30 million views after 48 hours, and their debut album Color Outside The Lines sold more than 247,000 copies on the first day of release.

Distinct musical orientation and style:

CORTIS has an "alternative pop hybrid experimental hiphop" musical color, combining catchy melodies and deep emotions. Songs such as GO!, What You Want or Fashion show the spirit of freedom and rebellion but still transmit positive energy.

Rolling Stone magazine called them "the mature voice of Gen Z", emphasizing that the group doesn't follow trends but creates its own identity. Martin – the leader of the band – once shared: "We want our music to be true to the emotions of youth: lost, dreamy but always moving forward."

Unlike many other idol groups, all CORTIS members participate in songwriting and choreography. Martin and James were in charge of writing the lyrics and arranging the instruments; Keonho and Seonghyeon took on the stage performance. As a result, they are dubbed the "new generation of idol-producers" by the audience.

Martin – the leader of the genius group was born in 2008:

Martin (real name Park Woo-joo / Martin Edwards) was born on March 20, 2008, with dual Korean-Canadian citizenship. He is the team leader and "creative soul" of CORTIS. Martin possesses an impressive physique (1m90) and outstanding songwriting ability: he has participated in writing music for many HYBE artists such as TXT (Beautiful Stranger), LE SSERAFIM (Pierrot), ENHYPEN (Outside) and ILLIT (Magnetic).

Martin began studying piano at an early age and soon became passionate about music production after listening to Justin Bieber and Coldplay. He is considered to represent the generation of artists who "create their own path". In a conversation with Rolling Stone, Martin said, "The leader is not the one who gives orders, but the one who helps people believe in themselves."

International, multi-talented and energetic eldest brother:

James (real name Zhao Yufan) was born on October 14, 2005, is the oldest and most multilingual member of the group. He can communicate in Chinese, Thai, English, and Korean. Before becoming a BigHit intern, James studied performing arts in Thailand and was a semi-professional hockey player.

In CORTIS, James serves as lead rapper, backing vocalist, and choreographer. He participated in writing lyrics for many songs on his debut album, notably GO! and Joy Ride. James has a strong performance style, cold eyes, but in real life he is funny and close. "I want music to be a global language where people understand each other emotionally, without translation," he says.

Kim Ju-hoon was born on January 3, 2008, taking on the role of vocalist of the group. Although little known before his debut, Juhoon quickly made his mark with his emotional voice and progressive spirit. He once impressed with the chorus of Lullaby, which was praised by listeners for being "more mature than 17".

In addition to music, Juhoon loves photography and often records the group's behind-the-scenes. He is the one who creates a happy atmosphere during training sessions. "If my music makes someone smile, then I've done what I want," he once shared on Weverse.

Central vocalist and potential producer:

Eom Seong-hyeon was born on January 13, 2009, is the main vocalist and co-producer of the group's music. He co-wrote all six songs on his debut album Color Outside The Lines. With a thick voice and stable technique, Seonghyeon is likened to the "emotional heart" of CORTIS.

Joining BigHit in 2021, Seonghyeon went through more than four years of training. He says, "I used to want to give up because of the tight schedule, but the music always pulled me back." During performances, Seonghyeon is always the one who maintains the live part and interacts with the audience naturally.

The youngest ace, the symbol of Gen 5 beauty:

Ahn Geon-ho (Keonho) was born on February 14, 2009, is the youngest and visual of the group. Right from the moment he appeared in the debut teaser, Keonho caused a storm on Korean networks thanks to his handsome face and confident demeanor. Many fans call him the "ace" of CORTIS, converging both talent and charisma.

Prior to joining BigHit, Keonho was a swimmer. It is his sports background that gives him endurance and strong dance techniques. In his debut album, Keonho co-wrote the song FaSHioN, showcasing his youthful personality and modern musical taste.

Beauty Magazine described him as "a new generation of K-pop visuals – both handsome and expressive". Meanwhile, VOV called Keonho "the early shining star of BigHit Music".

Debut achievements and global reaction:

Immediately after its launch, CORTIS achieved a series of impressive achievements. The debut album topped the iTunes charts in 23 countries, and reached the Top 10 "New Global Artists" on Spotify. The MV What You Want reached the top trending globally in 48 hours.

On social media, keywords #CORTIS and #MartinCORTIS have global coverage. Music experts say the group has "created its own brand" thanks to its in-house composition and image balance between art and commerce.

BigHit also confirmed that CORTIS will soon be touring Asia and the US in 2026, marking an international breakthrough after less than a year of operation.

CORTIS debuted during a period of fierce competition in K-pop, when dozens of new groups emerged each year. Therefore, the pressure on them is not small – especially when carrying the name of "BigHit rookie". However, Martin once affirmed in Rolling Stone: "We don't want to be a clone of BTS or TXT. Every generation has its own story, and CORTIS wants to tell its story."

Despite their young age, the group shows maturity in the way they face the spotlight. Members regularly participate in blogging, vlogging behind the scenes and interacting with fans on Weverse, keeping the image close and honest.

From being suspected of being a "risky project of BigHit", CORTIS has affirmed its competence with music, sales and teamwork. Although the future is still challenging, it is clear that they are ushering in a new era for K-pop – where artists not only perform, but also redefine the concept of "true idol".

BigHit rookie CORTIS receives "tips" from BTS, fans eagerly await "debut" day An Nhiên10:24:32 15/08/2025Before their debut, BTS unexpectedly revealed valuable advice to their juniors CORTIS, revealing the secret to helping rookies overcome Kpop pressure and make their own mark from the very beginning.