The group CORTIS is poised to be the next big act from Big Hit Music, following in the footsteps of their label seniors BTS and Tomorrow X Together (TXT), and is expected to bring fresh energy to the K-pop scene.
CORTIS, consisting of members Martin, James, Juhun, Sunghyun, and Gunho, will release their new song 'REDRED' on April 20, which is the title track of their upcoming mini-album 'GREENGREEN' set to be released on May 4. This follows BTS's release of their 5th full album 'ARIRANG' on March 20 and TXT's return with their 8th mini-album '7TH YEAR: When the Wind Paused in the Thornbush' on April 13.
Even before their comeback, CORTIS has shown impressive growth metrics. According to distributors YG Plus and Universal Records, pre-orders for their new release reached 2,024,836 copies as of April 16. This is approximately five times the initial sales of their previous mini-album, which sold 436,367 copies in its first week, raising the possibility of achieving a 'double million-seller' status for the second time. Additionally, on Spotify's 'Countdown Chart Global' (as of April 15), they ranked third, following global stars Olivia Rodrigo and Noah Kahan. This chart reflects global listeners' interest in upcoming albums.
There is significant interest in whether CORTIS will continue the success of their predecessors. BTS's title track 'SWIM' debuted at number one on the US Billboard Main Song Chart 'Hot 100' (as of April 4) and has remained in the 'Top 5' for three consecutive weeks. TXT made headlines with their first comeback after renewing their contract with Big Hit Music last year. On April 15, their title track 'Stick With You' entered the trending music charts on YouTube in 19 countries/regions, including Japan and the UK.
The strong bond between the senior and junior groups also captures public attention. CORTIS released short-form content reinterpreting their seniors' new songs with a trendy vibe. They presented 'SWIM' and 'Stick With You' through witty skits and posted challenge videos featuring key choreography. The seniors responded warmly; BTS liked and shared CORTIS's videos, while TXT expressed their support at a comeback media showcase, saying, "They are so talented that they don't need advice. We hope they stay healthy and keep fighting."
CORTIS will first release the title track 'REDRED' from their mini-album on April 20. All five members participated in the songwriting, honestly conveying what the team aims for and what they stand against. After the release of the music and music video, they will begin music show promotions. On May 4, they will officially release the mini-album 'GREENGREEN' and showcase content related to the tracks 'TNT' and 'ACAI'.
Reporter: Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia one@tenasia.co.kr