The rookie group CORTIS is attracting attention in the United States at the end of this year.
According to the latest ranking published by the American music media Billboard (dated December 27) on December 23, the debut album of CORTIS (Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, Keonho), “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES”, ranks 4ᵗʰ in the “World Albums” category and has remained on the chart for 15 consecutive weeks. In the United States physical album sales chart, “Top Current Album Sales,” it is positioned at 35ᵗʰ, proving strong longevity.
CORTIS also achieved good results in the Billboard ranking “The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025: Staff Picks.” The intro track of its debut album, “Go!”, ranked 2ⁿᵈ, achieving the highest position among male rookie artists on this list this year.
Billboard commented on this song: “It sticks in your head from the first listen and brought a breath of fresh air to Kpop. It exploded on social media and made a splash on the Billboard charts.”
“Go!” was ranked for two consecutive weeks on the Billboard “Global 200” (September 27 and October 4). This song chart is based on online streaming and digital sales in over 200 countries/regions, and it is very rare for a rookie to appear there.
Interest in “Go!” is also observed in other international media. The British fashion and culture magazine Dazed included it in “The 30 Best Kpop Tracks of 2025,” commenting: “The members took control of their music without limiting themselves to conventions.” British magazines NME, Apple Music, and Spotify also named “Go!” as one of the best Kpop songs of the year.
The American magazine Teen Vogue selected their debut album in “15 Best Non-English Albums of 2025”: “It is a work that shows the potential of the musical universe CORTIS will present. The impression it leaves is so strong that saying we pay attention would be an understatement.” The five members are also listed in “Teen Vogue’s 50 Best Dressed of 2025,” showing their influence extending into fashion.
CORTIS plans to perform covers of senior artists’ songs on year-end music programs to please fans. They will appear on December 25 at “2025 SBS GAYO DAEJEON”, December 30 at “2025 MUSIC BANK GLOBAL FESTIVAL IN JAPAN”, and December 31 at “MBC GAYO DAEJEJEON”.
Their international presence continues: on December 29, they are invited to appear on the Japanese TV show Nihon TV “Announcement! Most Played Songs of the Year ~Annual Music Awards 2025~”.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS Billboard
