The emergence of CORTIS marks a significant new era for BigHit. Building on the immense global success of BTS and TXT, the label has introduced its first boy group in six years: Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho. These five talented members, though new to the scene, openly share their inspirations, with BTS being a prominent influence.
Martin inspired by BTS Leader RM’s advice
In a recent conversation with W Korea, CORTIS’s leader, Martin, detailed how BTS’s RM has significantly impacted his own approach to music and leadership. Martin shared, “I’ve been greatly influenced by BTS’s leader, RM. I first discovered BTS through my older sister’s recommendation, and while I’ve always loved music, watching them solidified my own vision for what kind of company I want to join and what kind of music I want to make. RM once advised me, ‘A leader’s role is to be there to re-energise the members when they’re tired,’ and I’ve always kept that in mind. I also can’t forget a chance interview where he said, ‘The position of leader is just the last trophy, and without the team, we wouldn’t have achieved success.’”
James finds his idol dream in BTS’s Jimin
Martin’s bandmate, James, also spoke about the diverse inspirations he draws from, including Western icons like Michael Jackson.
James elaborated on his admiration for Michael Jackson’s stage command, recalling the iconic 1993 Super Bowl halftime show. He was particularly struck by Jackson’s ability to captivate a massive audience with minimal movement. “Michael Jackson’s ability to completely dominate the stage was truly amazing. I still vividly remember the scene during the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show where he stood still for over a minute and then removed his sunglasses. I was so impressed by his ability to unite the vast audience without moving a muscle. After that performance, I started listening to Michael Jackson’s music and dancing along to his music on my way to and from school. Then, the moment I saw BTS’ Jimin perform Serendipity, I think the dream of becoming an idol blossomed within me,” James revealed.
CORTIS’s Debut Success
CORTIS recently celebrated the launch of their debut album, Colour Outside the Lines, with an impressive release show on September 8th at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium. The event, streamed globally across Weverse, YouTube, and TikTok, attracted fans from 190 countries. Over two hours, the group delivered a powerful live performance of their entire EP, solidifying their status as one of K-pop’s most promising new acts.