{"id":367824,"date":"2026-03-31T16:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T16:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/367824\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T16:34:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T16:34:13","slug":"the-bands-members-on-new-music-influences-and-fashion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/367824\/","title":{"rendered":"the Band’s Members on New Music, Influences and Fashion"},"content":{"rendered":"

This story appears in i-D 376, \u201cThe Lore Issue.\u201d\u00a0Get your copy of the print magazine here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

written by HYUNJI NAM
photography JOHN YUYI
styling CLARE BYRNE<\/p>\n

\u201cRawness. That\u2019s what makes Cortis, Cortis.\u201d During our conversation, that word\u2014rawness\u2014kept coming up. Taken literally, it means unfiltered. The band\u2019s five members, born between 2005 and 2009, show up exactly as they are.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since their first single \u201cWhat You Want\u201d was released in August 2025, that rawness has carried Cortis into new territory. The group hit No. 1 on Spotify\u2019s Global Daily Viral Chart before landing on the Billboard 200 with their EP Color Outside the Lines, featuring tracks like \u201cGo!\u201d leaning into synth-driven electronic textures, and \u201cFaSHioN,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

Just two months into their journey, Cortis surpassed 100 million cumulative streams on Spotify\u2014the 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\u2019ve cracked 10.5 million.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\tJuhoon wears All clothing Ralph Lauren, Watch Omega. James wears jacket Burberry, Shirt Louis Vuitton. Keonho wears all clothing Louis Vuitton, tie stylist\u2019s own. Martin wears all clothing and accessories Louis Vuitton. Seonghyeon wears jacket Herm\u00e8s, Shirt and tie Dior.\t\t<\/p>\n

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\u2014all 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 \u201cLullaby,\u201d a guitar-heavy, psychedelic soul track, they taped a phone to a Coca-Cola can to achieve the exact angle they wanted.<\/p>\n

The result isn\u2019t a hyper-polished fantasy, but something closer to how today\u2019s teens and twentysomethings actually think\u2014and what they consider cool. With Cortis, the old hierarchies dissolve. There\u2019s no \u201cmain dancer,\u201d \u201clead vocalist,\u201d or \u201crapper.\u201d Everyone is a producer, a performer, and a creative director. Then again, this is a generation that refuses to do just one thing. Cortis\u2019 label, BigHit Music\u2014the home of BTS, operating under Hybe\u2014has evidently taken note, introducing its rookie group at just the right time.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s \u201cDeja Vu\u201d and ILLIT\u2019s \u201cMagnetic,\u201d quietly building a resum\u00e9 behind the scenes. \u201cI think this is a really important moment for us,\u201d he says, \u201ca time to solidify our identity and figure out a genre that truly feels like ours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seonghyeon, born in 2009, grew up listening to BTS, imagining an artistic future of his own. He auditioned for BigHit singing \u201cMIC Drop,\u201d and recently, Cortis reinterpreted the track live at a festival. \u201cIt brought back a lot of memories. It felt surreal, but we really enjoyed it,\u201d Seonghyeon recalls.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s 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\u2019s \u201cMagnetic,\u201d \u201cCherish (My Love),\u201d and \u201cTick-Tack.\u201d \u201cI 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,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

The youngest, Keonho, born in 2009, spent his childhood as a competitive swimmer\u2014an experience that shaped his mindset as a trainee and as an artist navigating a demanding schedule. \u201cI\u2019ve always been the type to stick with things until the end,\u201d he says. \u201cThat intense training built up both my mental strength and physical stamina, so it\u2019s helped me a lot in what I do now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\tFrom left to right: James wears all clothing and accessories PAUL SMITH. Seonghyeon wears jacket and pants EMPORIO ARMANI, Shirt stylist\u2019s own, Tie BROOKS BROTHERS. Martin wears jacket HERM\u00c8S, Shirt DIOR, Pants KIKO KOSTADINOV, Tie stylist\u2019s own. Keonho wears all clothing and accessories VALENTINO. Kim Ju-hoon wears jacket EMPORIO ARMANI, Shirt SOLID HOMME, Pants HERM\u00c8S, Tie BROOKS BROTHERS.\t\t<\/p>\n

Last but not least, there\u2019s Juhoon, born in 2008. He got his start appearing in music videos for various Korean artists and working as a child model. \u201cBack then, I was just a kid, and I was only focused on having fun on set,\u201d he explains. \u201cBut after meeting the guys in Cortis and starting to make music together, I began to dream more seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n

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. \u201cUltimately, I believe that sustaining the ability to enjoy what you do allows you to keep making music over the long term,\u201d says Martin. Instead of forcing teenagers, whose identities are still forming, into rigid systems, their label chose to listen\u2014to let them express themselves creatively. That\u2019s exactly what\u2019s resonating with their flood of new fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What follows is a raw, unfiltered conversation with Cortis\u2014pop\u2019s next generation, unfolding in real time.<\/p>\n

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\u2019ve gone back for events. It\u2019s familiar, but every time we go, we still find inspiration.<\/p>\n

Martin: People in LA have such distinct personalities. Artist or not, everyone has their own style. They\u2019re not trying to follow anyone else. They just do their own thing. That independence, that confidence\u2014it\u2019s really impressive. It shaped the way we make music, too, being able to speak up, collaborate freely, and experiment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Any artists in LA who particularly inspire you?<\/p>\n

Martin: AG Club, who appeared in our debut documentary What We Want. Illusion Hills\u2014an LA indie band\u2014and 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\u2019s more relaxed, more comfortable. That energy created a lot of positive influence and synergy for us.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re in an era where KPop Demon Hunters\u2019 \u201cGolden\u201d and Ros\u00e9\u2019s \u201cAPT.\u201d are Grammy-nominated songs. The genre no longer feels boxed in. What is it like to debut at this moment?<\/p>\n

James: It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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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\u2019ve been listening a lot to UK artists like Underworld\u2014tracks with that hazy vibe, but still a solid four-on-the-floor kick.<\/p>\n

Martin: I\u2019d say Underworld and Alice In Chains.<\/p>\n

In fashion, who do you think is really getting it right now?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Martin: Jonathan Anderson\u2019s new Dior. I also liked Prada Fall 2025, when they used that floral motif. And Matthieu Blazy\u2019s Chanel debut\u2014and the runway in the subway\u2014that stuck with me.<\/p>\n

You really follow all the fashion news. A lot of brands recently appointed new creative directors.<\/p>\n

Martin: With Demna\u2019s new Gucci collection, the whole flow feels like it\u2019s shifting. It\u2019s interesting to watch.<\/p>\n

James: Lately, I\u2019ve 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\u2019t too hard on the wallet.<\/p>\n

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

Seonghyeon: I\u2019m wearing one today!<\/p>\n

Keonho: I lost all of mine.<\/p>\n

Juhoon: Until recently, I was into slim fits, trying to keep things clean. But now I\u2019m experimenting a bit more, mixing it up instead of sticking strictly to neat styles.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe focus on keeping our rawness intact.\u201d<\/p>\n

martin from cortis<\/p>\n

Since we\u2019re talking about fashion, it feels impossible not to bring up your track \u201cFaSHioN.\u201d You shout out, \u201cDongmyo, what\u2019s up?\u201d It\u2019s an IYKYK thrifting spot\u2014A$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\u2014that\u2019s kind of our main hangout.<\/p>\n

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

The album\u2019s only feature is Teezo Touchdown on \u201cWhat You Want.\u201d How did that collaboration come about, and what did you take away from working with him?
James: Teezo\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Martin: From the moment he enters the studio, he has this aura. It could be his style, or just his presence, but he\u2019s really dedicated to his work and enjoys the process. Whether it\u2019s styling or making music, he\u2019s free, relaxed, and passionate. This enjoyment is what lets his music last. Every time we meet, he\u2019s evolving, improving; I really want to learn from that.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the vision behind the album you\u2019re currently working on?
James: It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Juhoon: Our music really reflects who we are. Between the first and second albums, we\u2019ve changed a lot, and I think listeners will see that evolution.<\/p>\n

Martin: We pushed ourselves sonically and paid more attention to every lyric. But it\u2019s not about making something artificially polished\u2014we focus on keeping our rawness intact. There\u2019s a kind of amateurism that feels true to us, from the tracks to the recordings, vocals, and lyrics. I\u2019m excited to see people\u2019s reactions.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\tFrom left to right: James wears all clothing and accessories PAUL SMITH. Seonghyeon wears jacket and pants EMPORIO ARMANI, Shirt stylist\u2019s own, Tie BROOKS BROTHERS. Martin wears shirt DIOR, Pants and shoes KIKO KOSTADINOV, Tie stylist\u2019s own. Kim Ju-hoon wears jacket EMPORIO ARMANI, Shirt SOLID HOMME, Pants HERM\u00c8S, Tie BROOKS BROTHERS. Keonho wears all clothing and accessories VALENTINO.\t\t<\/p>\n

Speaking of amateurism\u2014these days, there\u2019s hardly a difference between recording in a studio and on a laptop. Does that blur the line between amateurism and professionalism in your music?<\/p>\n

Martin: During Covid isolation, I spent a lot of time making music alone, mostly on my laptop. It\u2019s become part of our raw workflow, and we\u2019ll keep doing it that way. <\/p>\n

What does youth mean to Cortis?<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Martin: Youth isn\u2019t a number. To me, it\u2019s about creating your own mould. Shaping it, breaking it, expanding it, trying new things. That courage to experiment, that freedom\u2014that\u2019s youth. <\/p>\n

Any goals you\u2019re setting for this year?
James: Stay healthy, keep performing, take care of our voices\u2014basically maintain ourselves as performers so we can keep having fun onstage.<\/p>\n

Seonghyeon: I\u2019ve grown to love performing even more, so I hope the second album cycle lets me grow further. <\/p>\n

Juhoon: The best growth comes from within. I want next year to be about getting to know myself better.
in the lead image\u00a0All clothing SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This story appears in i-D 376, \u201cThe Lore Issue.\u201d\u00a0Get your copy of the print magazine here. written by…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":367825,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[146,85,46,409],"class_list":{"0":"post-367824","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-music","8":"tag-entertainment","9":"tag-il","10":"tag-israel","11":"tag-music"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=367824"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367824\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/367825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=367824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=367824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=367824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}