The media showcase for Cortis's mini-album 'GREENGREEN' was held today (20th) at 2 PM at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
'GREENGREEN' comes approximately eight months after their debut album 'COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES'. The album includes six tracks, with the title track 'REDRED'. The song uses 'GREEN' to symbolize the direction the team pursues and 'RED' for what they avoid, expressing Cortis's identity.
As a group involved in songwriting, composing, and choreography, they focused on embedding stories only they could tell. James stated, "While our first mini-album was more of an introduction, this album delves deeper into who Cortis is as a group." Gunho added, "Our previous album captured the summer before our debut, while this one reflects the changes in our lives post-debut."
They revealed that they sought new everyday experiences whenever inspiration waned. Gunho shared, "Whenever I ran out of musical ideas, I would go to the cinema or try working from the studio sofa, experimenting with different daily experiences." Sunghyun added, "Playing basketball and taking walks with the members helped refresh our minds, making the work easier." Even working from high places for creativity brought laughter from the press.
With pre-orders already exceeding 2 million copies, Cortis attributes their popularity to 'honesty'. Leader Martin expressed gratitude, saying, "We strive to capture our everyday lives in our music and content, and fans seem to love the chemistry between us." Juhun highlighted their performances, stating, "Meeting fans and performing live is enjoyable for us and seems to be what fans love the most."
Cortis paid attention to every detail, from music to concept photos, styling, and music video locations, to express rawness in 'GREENGREEN'. Martin explained, "Instead of deciding on a specific musical direction from the start, we tried using instruments we hadn't before and participated in mixing to create a rougher sound."
The comeback photos, shot with minimal makeup, drew attention. James explained, "We wanted to show our 'no-frills' approach not just in words but in action, suggesting we minimize hairstyling and makeup to the point where dark circles were visible." Gunho added, "We aimed to reflect the raw sound of 'REDRED' in the photos, choosing locations we frequented as trainees to maximize comfort."
The music video was shot in a unique space called 'Nopo' to showcase the raw, unpolished feel of 'REDRED'. Sunghyun explained, "Nopo captures the unique essence of Korea while effectively conveying the song's message." Juhun added, "Many ad-libbed and spontaneous parts made it into the music video, so I hope viewers enjoy those." They also expressed confidence in the album's other tracks.
Martin emphasized that 'Acai' reflects Cortis's daily life, while Juhun expressed anticipation for 'Wassup', inspired by their past performances. Sunghyun confidently stated, "We've prepared diligently, and we're eager to share this satisfying album with our core fans."
Despite their 'monster rookie' status, Cortis is determined to keep pushing forward to achieve their ultimate goals. Leader Martin vowed, "We'll work hard until Cortis is recognized as a brand." Juhun added, "We want to explore new things and go beyond what we've done before."
The title track 'REDRED' will be pre-released on music sites today at 6 PM, and the album 'GREENGREEN' is set for official release on the 4th of next month.
Reporter Kim Soo-ah, Ten Asia suapop@tenasia.co.kr