CORTIS Delivers “What You Want” in a Unique Debut

Photo: Bighit Music

Big Hit Music’s newest boy group showcased a colorful debut on August 18. Five-member group CORTIS released their digital single “What You Want” with hip-hop and rock influences. With a name meaning “Color Outside the Lines,” CORTIS wants to explore concepts outside of set boundaries. Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho follow the likes of TOMORROW X TOGETHER and BTS.  

Screenshot of CORTIS’s discography page on Big Hit Music’s official website

The Pre-Release: “GO!”

“GO!” came out on August 11 after revealing snippets of the group’s production process. CORTIS prides themselves on self-involvement in their creative works, and “GO!” showcases that passion. Produced by Johnny Goldstein and other artists, including the CORTIS members,  “GO!” introduces the group with teenage confidence. It uses a hip-hop trapline and autotuned vocals to boast about CORTIS’s status as K-Pop’s newest hitmakers. The song shares aspects more common in the American hip-hop scene rather than in K-Pop, making it stand out. 

CORTIS’s members also serve as co-directors of the “GO!” music video. Shot in Los Angeles, it shows CORTIS running across the city in excitement. Their journey takes them to strange places, such as a highway, a car wash, and a playground. This peculiar element drives home the message that CORTIS truly goes everywhere unbothered and self-assured. 

The Title Track: “What You Want”

Described as a mixture of “1960s psychedelic rock” and “boom bap” hip-hop rhythms (prominent kick drum and snare drum beats), “What You Want” is a low-key song about seizing your dreams. Though its message comes off loud and proud, its instrumental stays subdued in the background. This approach allows the chanting lyrics to define the song. CORTIS wants listeners to confidently voice their dreams and start seeking them out.  

“What You Want” comes with a storyline-driven music video portraying CORTIS as lost travelers. Much like their “GO!” music video, this one also takes a humorous route. CORTIS gets into animal-related shenanigans, where even a graceful butterfly can transform into a scary monster. Rarely do K-Pop music videos include scorpions, alligators, and lobsters—especially floating lobsters—but CORTIS creates hilarious scenarios here.  

Unfortunately, the music video does not include one standout aspect of “What You Want:” the song’s unique prop choreography where the members dance on treadmills. I wonder how they will adapt this aspect for music show performances. Audiences can also enjoy an additional song once the English version of “What You Want” releases on August 22 at 1 p.m. KST. 

“GO!” and “What You Want” will come included on CORTIS’s debut EP, which releases on September 8. COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES will feature five tracks in total. The two unveiled tracks show an overwhelming amount of optimism that hopefully carries onto the whole EP. Stay tuned for The Kraze’s in-depth coverage when the EP comes out!

Edited by Cara Musashi