Cortis, the dynamic five-member K-pop sensation, has made history by earning its first-ever nominations at the prestigious MTV Video Music Awards, just one year after their electrifying debut. This groundbreaking achievement was announced making Cortis the first K-pop boy group to debut in the 2020s to be recognized by the influential US awards show.
The group, known for their captivating performances and unique sound, secured nominations in two highly anticipated categories for the 2026 MTV VMAs: Best New Artist and Best K-Pop, according to the official list of nominees. This dual recognition underscores their rapid rise and significant impact on the global music scene.
In the fiercely competitive Best New Artist category, Cortis finds itself among other rising international acts such as Malcolm Todd, Myles Smith, and Stella Lefty. Their second EP’s vibrant lead track, “RedRed,” also garnered a coveted nomination for Best K-Pop. This smash hit will be vying for the award against an impressive lineup of industry giants: BTS’s “Swim,” Blackpink’s “Jump,” Katseye’s “Pinky Up,” Le Sserafim’s “Spaghetti,” and Lisa’s “Dream (Feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi).” The VMAs are globally recognized as one of the four major US pop music awards, alongside the Grammy Awards, the American Music Awards, and the Billboard Music Awards, highlighting the immense prestige of these nominations.
Record-Breaking Chart Performance and Streaming Success
These significant nominations arrive amidst Cortis’s sustained commercial momentum, particularly within the US market. Their second EP, “GreenGreen,” continues to dominate, ranking No. 110 on the Billboard 200, according to Billboard’s latest charts dated Aug. 22. This impressive feat extends its run on the main albums chart to an astounding 14 consecutive weeks. This achievement marks the longest Billboard 200 chart run for a single album by a K-pop boy band to have debuted since 2020. “GreenGreen” also soared to No. 2 on the World Albums chart and No. 6 for Album Sales, further cementing its global appeal. Meanwhile, the nominated track “RedRed” landed at No. 136 on the Global 200 and No. 66 on the Global Excl. US chart, showcasing its widespread popularity. Cortis’s undeniable presence on the music scene is further emphasized by their consistent placement on Billboard’s Artist 100 chart for a 14th consecutive week, ranking No. 74 after debuting at No. 5 in May.
Even their debut EP, “Color Outside the Lines,” continues to demonstrate remarkable longevity, securing the No. 7 spot on Billboard’s World Albums chart and No. 50 for sales. Beyond chart performance, the debut EP has exceeded 700 million cumulative streams on Spotify as of Sunday, less than a year since its release in September 2025. The agency reports that the album continues to attract approximately 1.8 million streams per day, underscoring the group’s massive and rapidly growing fanbase.
Anniversary Celebrations Ahead
As they celebrate their first anniversary, Cortis is gearing up to meet fans with two special anniversary concerts. The group marked its first anniversary on Tuesday and is set to hold two anniversary concerts, titled “Put Your Phone Down Birthday Party,” at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul on Saturday and Sunday. These highly anticipated events promise to be a joyous celebration of their incredible journey and achievements over the past year.
