Cortis: A Phenomenal First Year for the Young Creator Crew
Exactly one year ago, a new force entered the K-Pop landscape, and the industry hasn’t been the same since. Cortis, the dynamic five-member group comprising Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho, celebrated their first debut anniversary on Tuesday, marking a truly breakout year for a rookie act. Nicknamed the “Young Creator Crew,” Cortis has redefined what it means to be a self-producing group, with every member deeply involved in creating their captivating music, innovative videos, and intricate choreography. Their unique vision and raw talent have quickly established them as representatives of a young, creative generation.
Cortis’s debut year has been nothing short of extraordinary, filled with a string of record-setting achievements. Their second EP, “GreenGreen,” soared to No. 3 on the prestigious Billboard 200 back in May and has maintained an impressive presence on the chart for 13 consecutive weeks—a remarkable feat that marks the longest run by any boy group debuting within the past five years. The EP’s lead track, “RedRed,” dominated major music charts both in Korea and internationally, solidifying their global appeal. Beyond the charts, their undeniable musical impact is evident in their streaming numbers: as of Thursday, Cortis’s 14 released songs had collectively surpassed a staggering 1.1 billion cumulative streams on Spotify.
The group recently wrapped up the North American leg of their sold-out “Put Your Phone Down” tour in San Francisco, captivating audiences across six cities. Now, as they celebrate this significant milestone, Cortis is set to bring the party home. Fans in Seoul are eagerly anticipating the “Put Your Phone Down ‘Birthday Party’” concert, featuring two special shows at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium this Saturday and Sunday.
Reflections from the Young Creator Crew: A First Anniversary Q&A
To commemorate their incredible journey, Cortis shared their heartfelt thoughts and reflections in an exclusive Q&A, diving deep into their experiences, growth, and aspirations. Read on to hear directly from Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho about their unforgettable first year!
Q. How does it feel to celebrate the first anniversary of your debut?
Martin: Time has gone by so quickly that it still doesn’t feel real. It’s been a year in which I’ve grown both as an artist and as a person. After swimming through all the waves and changes that came our way, I feel like I’ve become a stronger fish. I’m truly grateful to Coer (Cortis fans), the members and everyone at the company for helping me keep going. I’m incredibly happy and fortunate, and it makes me want to work even harder moving forward.
James: Everything has happened so quickly that before I knew it, we were already celebrating our first anniversary. It still doesn’t feel real. I’ll continue working hard to repay all the love we’ve received over the past year.
Juhoon: I’m grateful that we’ve safely reached our first anniversary. When we first debuted, so much felt uncertain. Thanks to Coer, who always believed in us, the past year has been filled with wonderful memories. As we enter our second year, we’ll work even harder to show how much we’ve grown.
Seonghyeon: A year can feel both short and long, and we’ve accomplished so much while making countless precious memories. I’m so thankful to Coer for helping us get here. Without you, neither we nor this first anniversary would have held the same meaning. This is only the beginning, so please continue this journey with us.
Keonho: I don’t usually celebrate anniversaries very much, but our first debut anniversary feels especially meaningful. So many people have cared for us and shown us love throughout the past year as Cortis. I’m grateful to everyone. And Coer, I love you.
Q. Looking back over the past year, where do you think you’ve grown the most, and what led to that growth?
Martin: I’d say my stage presence. Our first tour, “Put Your Phone Down,” and Lollapalooza Chicago probably contributed the most to that growth. They made me realize that I live to perform and connect with audiences.
James: I’d also choose Lollapalooza. It was the first time I truly felt like I had complete control of myself on stage, where instinct and reason came together perfectly. Every performance helps me grow because I’m constantly trying new things, reviewing them and making improvements.
Juhoon: I’ve always believed it’s important to deliver great performances, so my ambition for the stage has grown along with the effort I put into it. Rather than one defining moment, I think every experience we’ve accumulated has helped me grow.
Seonghyeon: Comparing our first performance to now, I can really feel how much I’ve improved. At first, I couldn’t even find the camera or know what expressions to make, so I didn’t have much composure. Now I’m becoming more comfortable. I’m thinking more about how to make the stage feel like my own space and how to show our group at its best.
Keonho: The more we promote, the more I reflect on why I stand on stage in the first place. Even after debuting, I’m still physically growing. My voice and even my height have changed little by little, and seeing those changes captured in videos and photos makes them feel even more real.
Q. What has been the most meaningful moment of the past year?
Martin: Releasing “YoungCreatorCrew.” I think that song played a huge role in shaping our team’s identity. I’m proud because it seems to have become even more powerful over time. It has also become a meme that represents a generation, which helped many more people discover and enjoy the song.
James: I’d pick Lollapalooza again. It was a dream stage I’d watched online long before becoming a trainee, so performing there with so many from Coer made it even more meaningful.
Juhoon: My debut performance is the most unforgettable. The emotions that came with the word “debut” — excitement, anticipation and pressure — were constantly swirling in my mind. But once I stepped off the stage, I realized it had been much simpler than I’d imagined. I still clearly remember how relieved I felt.
Seonghyeon: I think our second EP, “GreenGreen,” introduced the group to many more people. The positive response the album received, and all the hard work we put into preparing for it, were incredibly meaningful.
Keonho: During our first tour, I kept reminding myself why I stand on stage and make music. Creating memories together with the audience by communicating and jumping around together on stage has become the most meaningful part of what I do.
Q. Which of your songs means the most to you?
Martin: “RedRed,” the lead track from our second EP. Even while making it, I felt there was something different about the song, and once the rough mix was finished, I became certain. I think that’s also how our iconic “floppy ears” dance was born while we were creating the choreography together.
James: “Go!,” the intro track from our first EP. It was the first song we officially released after creating it at a songwriting camp and it was also the first time we choreographed a performance together and produced our own music video. It’s incredibly meaningful because it was our beginning.
Juhoon: “YoungCreatorCrew.” I think it pushed our group’s boundaries even further. Thank you to everyone who loved such an experimental song.
Seonghyeon: “RedRed” and “Acai” from our second EP. “RedRed” helped introduce us to many more people. Whenever I hear the crowd cheering during my part on stage, it reminds me why I love meeting Coer. I’m also attached to “Acai” because I participated heavily in making it and it’s based on my favorite food, acai bowls.
Keonho: “YoungCreatorCrew.” When we debuted, it felt a little awkward being introduced as the “Young Creator Crew,” but turning that into the nickname “Young keu-keu” while making the song was a lot of fun.
Q. Looking back at the goals and promises you made before your debut, what stands out to you?
Martin: Even before our debut, I promised myself never to lose my passion for music and creating. I think that’s a promise I’ll keep for the rest of my life.
James: I tend to value the journey more than the goal. Rather than focusing on achieving something specific, I’m simply grateful that I get to stand on stage every day. Even before our debut, I wanted to give every performance everything I had, and I still approach every performance with that same passion, giving 300 percent.
Seonghyeon: I’ve always believed that if I’m going to do something, I should do it properly. That’s a mindset I’ve always tried to uphold.
Q. How do you feel after completing the North American leg of your tour across six cities?
Juhoon: We didn’t get many chances to meet Coer in the US, so I was really happy to meet so many different fans and have fun together. The sight I’ll remember most is all the light sticks shining in the dark after the lights went down.
Keonho: Since it was our first tour and the five of us had to carry the stage on our own, I worried a lot. We practiced that much harder, and I could really feel us improving with each show. Every city had its own unique atmosphere, so I’ll never forget any of them.
Q. What goals and dreams would you like to pursue going forward?
Cortis: We want to keep growing. To become better people and better artists, we’ll continue pushing our limits and taking on new challenges. Through a wide range of experiences, we’ll keep creating great music and art. We also hope to one day tour arenas — and eventually stadiums — so we can meet even more (people from) Coer.
Q. Finally, do you have a message for Coer?
Martin: Thank you for always believing in and supporting us. We’ll keep working hard to become a Cortis that makes you proud. Let’s continue making wonderful memories together. I love you, Coer.
James: We’ve received an unbelievable amount of love over the past year. Thank you so much. We’ll continue doing our best to bring you happiness through performances filled with passion. We hope you’ll continue supporting us.
Juhoon: Even if I spent my entire lifetime trying, I don’t think I could ever repay all the love you’ve given us. But I’ll do my best to return it in my own way, little by little. We still have a long road ahead of us, so please continue supporting us.
Seonghyeon: Without all of you, we truly wouldn’t be where we are today. Thank you so much for being Coer. Please stay with us for a long time to come.
Keonho: Coer, happy first anniversary! Let’s go even further together. See you at Hwajeong Gymnasium!
Cortis and Coer: A Bright Future Ahead
Cortis’s first anniversary is a testament to their unwavering dedication, incredible talent, and the powerful bond they share with their fanbase, Coer. From conquering global charts and breaking streaming records to electrifying stages worldwide, the “Young Creator Crew” has proven they are a force to be reckoned with. As they look forward to stadium tours and continued artistic evolution, one thing is clear: Cortis is just getting started, and their journey with Coer promises many more unforgettable moments.
