the Band's Members on New Music, Influences and Fashion

This story appears in i-D 376, “The Lore Issue.” Get your copy of the print magazine here.

written by HYUNJI NAM
photography JOHN YUYI
styling CLARE BYRNE

“Rawness. That’s what makes Cortis, Cortis.” During our conversation, that word—rawness—kept coming up. Taken literally, it means unfiltered. The band’s five members, born between 2005 and 2009, show up exactly as they are.

Since their first single “What You Want” was released in August 2025, that rawness has carried Cortis into new territory. The group hit No. 1 on Spotify’s Global Daily Viral Chart before landing on the Billboard 200 with their EP Color Outside the Lines, featuring tracks like “Go!” leaning into synth-driven electronic textures, and “FaSHioN,” channelling the moshpit energy of Playboi Carti or Travis Scott. Their taste cuts across genres and eras; Cortis reports listening to everything from Yungblud and Chet Baker to Elliott Smith, Tame Impala, and Three 6 Mafia.

Just two months into their journey, Cortis surpassed 100 million cumulative streams on Spotify—the fastest for a K-pop boy group in 2025. Their Instagram following crossed the 5 million mark around the same time, and by December, when this interview took place, 8 million. At the time this story hits the internet, they’ve cracked 10.5 million.

Juhoon wears All clothing Ralph Lauren, Watch Omega. James wears jacket Burberry, Shirt Louis Vuitton. Keonho wears all clothing Louis Vuitton, tie stylist’s own. Martin wears all clothing and accessories Louis Vuitton. Seonghyeon wears jacket Hermès, Shirt and tie Dior.

In an era where new K-pop groups appear almost daily, the members of Cortis set themselves apart by doing the work on their own—all of it. They each take part in writing and producing, choreographing performances, and even directing their music videos. They pick up cameras, build their own prototypes, and map out frames and stories. For “Lullaby,” a guitar-heavy, psychedelic soul track, they taped a phone to a Coca-Cola can to achieve the exact angle they wanted.

The result isn’t a hyper-polished fantasy, but something closer to how today’s teens and twentysomethings actually think—and what they consider cool. With Cortis, the old hierarchies dissolve. There’s no “main dancer,” “lead vocalist,” or “rapper.” Everyone is a producer, a performer, and a creative director. Then again, this is a generation that refuses to do just one thing. Cortis’ label, BigHit Music—the home of BTS, operating under Hybe—has evidently taken note, introducing its rookie group at just the right time.

Each member brings a distinct background and vision to the table. Born in 2008 and of Canadian-Korean heritage, Martin made a name for himself as a producer before Cortis officially formed. He contributed to idol tracks like TXT’s “Deja Vu” and ILLIT’s “Magnetic,” quietly building a resumé behind the scenes. “I think this is a really important moment for us,” he says, “a time to solidify our identity and figure out a genre that truly feels like ours.”

Seonghyeon, born in 2009, grew up listening to BTS, imagining an artistic future of his own. He auditioned for BigHit singing “MIC Drop,” and recently, Cortis reinterpreted the track live at a festival. “It brought back a lot of memories. It felt surreal, but we really enjoyed it,” Seonghyeon recalls.

Then there’s James, born in 2005, who grew up between Taiwan and Bangkok. Long before his debut, he was sharpening his instincts as a choreographer, working on ILLIT’s “Magnetic,” “Cherish (My Love),” and “Tick-Tack.” “I try to create choreography that shows the different colours of Cortis clearly, while moving closer to the images I see when I first hear the song,” he explains.

The youngest, Keonho, born in 2009, spent his childhood as a competitive swimmer—an experience that shaped his mindset as a trainee and as an artist navigating a demanding schedule. “I’ve always been the type to stick with things until the end,” he says. “That intense training built up both my mental strength and physical stamina, so it’s helped me a lot in what I do now.”

From left to right: James wears all clothing and accessories PAUL SMITH. Seonghyeon wears jacket and pants EMPORIO ARMANI, Shirt stylist’s own, Tie BROOKS BROTHERS. Martin wears jacket HERMÈS, Shirt DIOR, Pants KIKO KOSTADINOV, Tie stylist’s own. Keonho wears all clothing and accessories VALENTINO. Kim Ju-hoon wears jacket EMPORIO ARMANI, Shirt SOLID HOMME, Pants HERMÈS, Tie BROOKS BROTHERS.

Last but not least, there’s Juhoon, born in 2008. He got his start appearing in music videos for various Korean artists and working as a child model. “Back then, I was just a kid, and I was only focused on having fun on set,” he explains. “But after meeting the guys in Cortis and starting to make music together, I began to dream more seriously.”

Cortis stands out in an oversaturated boy band landscape by signalling a clear shift from performers to creators. After writing over 300 songs for their debut album, the members continue to push themselves, relentlessly chasing something new. “Ultimately, I believe that sustaining the ability to enjoy what you do allows you to keep making music over the long term,” says Martin. Instead of forcing teenagers, whose identities are still forming, into rigid systems, their label chose to listen—to let them express themselves creatively. That’s exactly what’s resonating with their flood of new fans.

What follows is a raw, unfiltered conversation with Cortis—pop’s next generation, unfolding in real time.

Hyunji Nam: LA is an important city to Cortis. You spent three months there making the EP, and your i-D cover shoot is also happening there. What does LA give you creatively?
Keonho: LA almost feels like a second home. We shot the debut there, and even after that, we’ve gone back for events. It’s familiar, but every time we go, we still find inspiration.

Martin: People in LA have such distinct personalities. Artist or not, everyone has their own style. They’re not trying to follow anyone else. They just do their own thing. That independence, that confidence—it’s really impressive. It shaped the way we make music, too, being able to speak up, collaborate freely, and experiment.

Any artists in LA who particularly inspire you?

Martin: AG Club, who appeared in our debut documentary What We Want. Illusion Hills—an LA indie band—and Cochise. Teezo Touchdown was huge, too. We also met 24kGoldn. The overall vibe with everyone is great, and they all talk about how their approach changes when working in LA. It’s more relaxed, more comfortable. That energy created a lot of positive influence and synergy for us.

We’re in an era where KPop Demon Hunters’ “Golden” and Rosé’s “APT.” are Grammy-nominated songs. The genre no longer feels boxed in. What is it like to debut at this moment?

James: It’s exciting. K-pop has reached such global scale, and debuting now, it feels like we have so many resources at our disposal. At the same time, there are so many talented artists out there, so finding and expressing our own unique sound has been a big challenge. Exciting, but a little pressure too.

all clothing saint laurent by anthony vaccarello

Which musicians or artists, in any genre, interest you these days? Is there someone who comes up a lot in group conversations?
Keonho: Lately I’ve been listening a lot to UK artists like Underworld—tracks with that hazy vibe, but still a solid four-on-the-floor kick.

Martin: I’d say Underworld and Alice In Chains.

In fashion, who do you think is really getting it right now?

Martin: Jonathan Anderson’s new Dior. I also liked Prada Fall 2025, when they used that floral motif. And Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel debut—and the runway in the subway—that stuck with me.

You really follow all the fashion news. A lot of brands recently appointed new creative directors.

Martin: With Demna’s new Gucci collection, the whole flow feels like it’s shifting. It’s interesting to watch.

James: Lately, I’ve been more into no-brand stuff. There are a lot of unique, fun pieces out there, and personally, I like finding little treasures that aren’t too hard on the wallet.

Speaking of no-brand, I saw in your vlog that you all love those basic Hanes tank tops. Does that love still hold?

Seonghyeon: I’m wearing one today!

Keonho: I lost all of mine.

Juhoon: Until recently, I was into slim fits, trying to keep things clean. But now I’m experimenting a bit more, mixing it up instead of sticking strictly to neat styles.

“We focus on keeping our rawness intact.”

martin from cortis

Since we’re talking about fashion, it feels impossible not to bring up your track “FaSHioN.” You shout out, “Dongmyo, what’s up?” It’s an IYKYK thrifting spot—A$AP Rocky and Kiko Kostadinov have been spotted there. Beyond Dongmyo, where would you send people visiting Korea?
Juhoon: I would say the Sinsa-Apgujeong area—that’s kind of our main hangout.

Martin: I recently heard there are some great fashion spots in Itaewon, too. Would love to check them out if we get the chance.

The album’s only feature is Teezo Touchdown on “What You Want.” How did that collaboration come about, and what did you take away from working with him?
James: Teezo’s genuinely a great person. Performing with him on music shows in Korea felt so fresh. It was our first time sharing a stage like that, and it left a strong impression.

Martin: From the moment he enters the studio, he has this aura. It could be his style, or just his presence, but he’s really dedicated to his work and enjoys the process. Whether it’s styling or making music, he’s free, relaxed, and passionate. This enjoyment is what lets his music last. Every time we meet, he’s evolving, improving; I really want to learn from that.

What’s the vision behind the album you’re currently working on?
James: It’s going to be very different. The first album was kind of our self-introduction. With the second, we can dive deeper into our colours, show new sides, and reveal a rawer layer beneath the surface.

Juhoon: Our music really reflects who we are. Between the first and second albums, we’ve changed a lot, and I think listeners will see that evolution.

Martin: We pushed ourselves sonically and paid more attention to every lyric. But it’s not about making something artificially polished—we focus on keeping our rawness intact. There’s a kind of amateurism that feels true to us, from the tracks to the recordings, vocals, and lyrics. I’m excited to see people’s reactions.

From left to right: James wears all clothing and accessories PAUL SMITH. Seonghyeon wears jacket and pants EMPORIO ARMANI, Shirt stylist’s own, Tie BROOKS BROTHERS. Martin wears shirt DIOR, Pants and shoes KIKO KOSTADINOV, Tie stylist’s own. Kim Ju-hoon wears jacket EMPORIO ARMANI, Shirt SOLID HOMME, Pants HERMÈS, Tie BROOKS BROTHERS. Keonho wears all clothing and accessories VALENTINO.

Speaking of amateurism—these days, there’s hardly a difference between recording in a studio and on a laptop. Does that blur the line between amateurism and professionalism in your music?

Martin: During Covid isolation, I spent a lot of time making music alone, mostly on my laptop. It’s become part of our raw workflow, and we’ll keep doing it that way.

What does youth mean to Cortis?

James: Age is one thing, but mindset matters, too. Anyone can hold onto that youthful, curious, passionate side of themself. I think youth is about keeping that alive.

Martin: Youth isn’t a number. To me, it’s about creating your own mould. Shaping it, breaking it, expanding it, trying new things. That courage to experiment, that freedom—that’s youth.

Any goals you’re setting for this year?
James: Stay healthy, keep performing, take care of our voices—basically maintain ourselves as performers so we can keep having fun onstage.

Seonghyeon: I’ve grown to love performing even more, so I hope the second album cycle lets me grow further.

Juhoon: The best growth comes from within. I want next year to be about getting to know myself better.
in the lead image All clothing SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO.

hair HIKARU USING BUMBLE AND BUMBLE AT FRANK REPS
makeup GRACE AHN USING HUDA BEAUTY AT DAY ONE
nails SOJIN OH USING APRES NAIL
set design BRIAN LEE AT NEW SCHOOL REPRESENTS
tailor SHIRLEE IDZAKOVICH AT THE ZAKS TEAM
photography assistants KENDALL CONNOR PACK & MAX WILBUR GRAY
styling assistants JESUS HERRERA & KYLE LYNCH
hair assistant DENISSE VILLAVAZO
makeup assistant JEN NGUYEN
production PERFECT PROJECTS
producer JUNE KIM
production assistant JASON LEE
location AGP WEST STUDIOS

the Band’s Members on New Music, Influences and Fashion

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