CORTIS Set to Debut Tomorrow—Meet the K-pop Geniuses Behind Your Favorite Hits!

CORTIS, Geniuses Who Create Hit Songs and Choreographies Even Before Their Debut?! The K-pop powerhouse HYBE, known for launching mega-successful groups like BTS and TXT, has introduced its first new boy group in six years: CORTIS. Debuting under the label BIGHIT MUSIC, the six-member group only revealed its name on August 7, just 11 days before their official debut on August 18, sparking immense curiosity and high anticipation among fans across the globe. What’s making fans even more excited is that this group is not only made up of talented performers but members who have already made a mark as creators. Their slogan, “Young Creator Crew,” perfectly encapsulates their concept — idols who will be actively involved in choreographing, songwriting, and even producing their own content. Let's take a closer look at each member and why CORTIS is projected to redefine K-pop’s 5th generation idols. . The Rebirth of a Trainee Legend: James from Trainee A James, born on October 14, 2005, is the oldest member of CORTIS. Fans of Trainee A, a project team under HYBE that was expected to debut but never made an official debut due to internal issues, would already be familiar with him. James hails from Hong Kong and is of Thai-Chinese descent, fluent in five languages: Korean, English, Thai, Chinese, and Japanese – a truly global talent. His atypical background includes being an ice hockey player and a taekwondo practitioner before becoming a trainee. After Trainee A’s cancelation, James temporarily disappeared from public view, which worried many fans. However, he re-emerged as a backup dancer in Jungkook’s “Seven” performance, and later, it was discovered that he had been involved in choreographing multiple hit songs for other HYBE artists. He’s credited with choreographies for TXT’s “Deja Vu,” and ILLIT’s “Magnetic (마그네틱),” “Cherish (체리시),” and “Tick-Tack (틱택).” This solidifies his position not just as a performer, but as a creative force in K-pop. . . The Mysterious Vocal Ace: Eom Seonghyeon Born on January 13, 2009, Eom Seonghyeon is believed to have been street-cast at Lotte World in Seoul on his 10th birthday – a magical story many fans can’t get enough of. Even though he remained a hidden gem for much of his trainee period, several fan-sourced videos and anecdotal evidence paint a picture of a gifted vocalist. An English speech presentation from his childhood is circulating online, showing off his fluency and confidence. A fan-captured video of him taking dance classes in LA suggests that HYBE flew him overseas to fine-tune his performance skills. According to rumors from other former trainees, Seonghyeon consistently held the No. 1 ranking among HYBE vocal trainees. Expectations are high for what this young prodigy will bring to the group. . The Pre-Debut Hitmaker: Martin Edwards Park Martin Edwards Park, born March 20, 2008, is already a music producer recognized within HYBE’s ecosystem. With dual Canadian and Korean citizenship, Martin has contributed greatly to the label’s recent discography — all before even stepping onto the stage as an idol. His credits include ILLIT’s hit debut “Magnetic,” TXT’s emotional “Deja Vu” and “Beautiful Strangers,” LE SSERAFIM’s “Pierrot (삐에로),” and ENHYPEN’s “Outside.” Martin’s music often carries the emotional depth and trendsetting sound that K-pop fans globally crave. What’s even more impressive is his early passion for music. He once performed a self-composed piece, “Spider-Man’s New Beginning,” at a Little Composer’s Showcase and was also part of the Rainbow Choir, a multicultural musical group that performed at the Pyeongchang Olympics. Martin truly embodies HYBE’s vision of idol-as-creator. . . The Visual All-Rounder: Kim Juhoon Kim Juhoon, born on January 3, 2008, started his career as a child model and actor. He’s appeared in numerous TV commercials and K-pop music videos, including VIXX’s “Scentist,” Zion.T’s “Hello Tutorial,” and MeloMance's works. Beyond his stunning visuals, Juhoon was a student-athlete. He played for the FC Seoul youth soccer team and was part of the Samsung Thunders youth basketball program. During an overseas tournament in Spain, he even served as an English translator — showcasing his intelligence and multilingual abilities. Though academically accomplished, he chose to drop out of high school to pursue his idol career full-time, demonstrating his commitment. Fans are especially drawn to his versatile background, combining visuals, intelligence, athleticism, and performance skills – making him a highly anticipated “all-in-one” member. . The Prince-like Maknae: An Keonho An Keonho, the youngest member, was born on February 14, 2009 — Valentine’s Day, fittingly matching his lovable image. Nicknamed the “French Fry Guy” by fans for his adorable visuals in a candid eating video, Keonho is more than just a pretty face. Before being cast by HYBE, Keonho was a competitive swimmer who won 1st place at a swimming competition. He was even a registered athlete and reportedly dreamed of becoming part of Korea’s national team. Insiders describe him as kind, quiet, and generous. In school, he was so handsome and admired that classmates nicknamed him “Prince (왕자님)*.” This term is used affectionately in Korea to describe boys who have both good looks and gentle demeanor. ※ 왕자님 (Wang-jan-nim): A Korean term meaning "prince," often used to describe boys who are gentle and handsome, similar to how one might call someone a “dream guy” or “fairy-tale prince” in English. Keonho’s athletic past and thoughtful personality make fans curious about what kind of performance charisma he will bring to the group. . CORTIS: The "Young Creator Crew" That Could Reshape the Future of K-pop Each member of CORTIS brings something truly unique to the table — from choreography and vocals to production and visuals. HYBE’s concept of a “Young Creator Crew” is manifesting in full form with these six talented individuals. Rather than just following trends, they are ready to set them, actively participating in building their own music, performances, and brand image. With James’s powerful performance charisma and choreographic skills, Seonghyeon’s vocal prowess, Martin’s production genius, Juhoon's all-around excellence, and Keonho’s promising star quality, CORTIS is more than just a rookie group. They're creators, innovators, and future legends-in-the-making. The group was kept under tight wraps until the beginning of August, which only added to the mystery and hype. However, since August 10, their official content has been rolling out, signaling the start of an exciting new chapter. . Final Thoughts CORTIS’s debut may be the most anticipated rookie launch of the year. With members who have already contributed to the contemporary K-pop sound and vision, they’re not being introduced as blank slates — but as young creators ready to conquer the world. As we wait for more content and performances from this powerfully talented team, one thing's for sure: the future of K-pop just got even brighter. Which member are you most excited for? Let us know — and stay tuned for more updates on CORTIS and other rising stars in the K-pop universe! .