In a stunning display of talent and market influence, the rookie boy group CORTIS has officially rewritten the record books for 2025-2026.
Under the management of BigHit Music—the powerhouse label behind global icons BTS and TXT—CORTIS has achieved a “Perfect Triple Crown” of records across physical sales, digital streaming, and global chart presence.
This achievement centers around their debut single “GO!” and their first EP, Color Outside the Lines, which have collectively propelled them to the forefront of the fifth generation of K-pop.
Millions Sold: A Historic Sales Milestone
CORTIS has become the only rookie group in 2025 to achieve million-seller status with a single release.
Their debut EP, Color Outside the Lines, surpassed 1.06 million cumulative sales within just three months of its release in September 2025.
This feat is nearly unprecedented for a debut act, as most rookie groups require multiple comebacks to build a fanbase capable of driving seven-figure sales numbers.
The group’s initial success was evident from the start; the album reached “half-million seller” status within its first two weeks.
By maintaining strong sales throughout the fourth quarter of 2025 and into early 2026, CORTIS has proven that their popularity is not merely a “debut hype” phenomenon but a sustained upward trend that rivals the early growth of their senior labelmates.
“GO!” Dominates Global Charts and MLB
The pre-release track “GO!” has become the group’s signature anthem and a major driver of their digital success.
The song made history as the only 2025 rookie boy group track to enter and remain on Melon’s daily, weekly, and monthly charts for multiple consecutive weeks.
Its addictive hip-hop and pop blend also resonated internationally, leading to its selection as a featured song in MLB postseason promotional videos in late 2025.
On the streaming front, CORTIS reached 100 million Spotify streams within just one month of their debut—the fastest time recorded for any K-pop rookie group in 2025.
Their ability to dominate both domestic charts and international platforms like Spotify highlights the group’s broad appeal, which transcends the traditional boundaries of the K-pop industry.
The “Young Creator Crew”: A New Identity
Part of what makes CORTIS’s rise so historic is their rejection of the standard “idol” label in favor of being known as a “young creator crew.”
The five members—Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho—are deeply involved in every facet of their art.
They hold credits for songwriting, composition, choreography, and even co-directing their own music videos.
Leader Martin has already established himself as a production powerhouse, having contributed to tracks for other HYBE artists like TXT, ENHYPEN, and ILLIT even before his own debut.
This level of creative agency is rare for teenagers in the K-pop system, and it has earned them critical acclaim from major global outlets like Rolling Stone and Pandora, the latter of which named CORTIS the only K-pop artist on their “Artists to Watch 2026” list.
Billboard Presence and Future Outlook
CORTIS made a massive splash on the U.S. charts, with their debut album entering the Billboard 200 at No. 15.
This stands as the second-highest ranking for a K-pop group’s debut album in history (excluding project groups).
Even as the music world transitioned into the competitive 2025 holiday season, the album demonstrated remarkable staying power by re-entering the charts in December and early January.
As they enter 2026, the group is currently preparing for their first major award show season, where they are widely expected to sweep “Rookie of the Year” categories.
With their unique “Y2K-inspired” sustainable fashion, raw performance energy, and a commitment to “coloring outside the lines,” CORTIS is not just following in the footsteps of BTS—they are forging an entirely new path for the future of global music.
Fans and critics alike are now looking toward their first full-scale world tour, which industry insiders suggest will be announced in the first half of 2026.
Adding to the excitement of the 2026 K-pop calendar, the rising girl group YOUNG POSSE has officially announced their first musical venture of the year.
On January 2, 2026, the group’s agency, DSP Media (in collaboration with Beats Entertainment), confirmed that the quintet will return with a brand-new single album on January 27, 2026.
This marks their first official comeback in approximately five months, following the successful release of their fourth EP, Growing Pain pt. 1: FREE, in August 2025.
Final Stages of Preparation
Fans—known as TELEPOSSE—have much to look forward to, as the group is reportedly in the final stages of their comeback preparations.
According to the agency, the members have already completed filming the music video for the upcoming title track.
While the specific name of the single has yet to be revealed, the production team teased that the new music and performances will showcase a more “mature and grown” side of the members, while still retaining the signature hip-hop energy that has become their trademark.
The group—consisting of Sunhye, Yeonjung, Jiana, Doeun, and Jieun—has been hands-on in the creative process since their debut.
True to their “self-producing” reputation, the members have participated in the songwriting for this release, aiming to tell autobiographical stories that resonate with their generation.
A Surprise Global Collaboration
In addition to the official single album, YOUNG POSSE is set to expand their global reach with a special pre-release event.
Ahead of their January 27 comeback, the group will drop a surprise collaboration track with popular Chinese rapper Li Da-ben (Benzo).
This strategic partnership with the Greater China hip-hop star is expected to further solidify YOUNG POSSE’s identity as a leading “national hip-hop daughter” group and boost their visibility in the international music market.
The collaboration comes at a time when the group’s global momentum is at an all-time high. YOUNG POSSE recently successfully concluded their first solo concert in Taipei, which followed a series of well-received domestic shows in South Korea.
Their ability to sell out international venues less than three years into their career underscores their rapid ascent within the K-pop scene.
Defining a Unique Identity
Since their debut in late 2023 with the quirky and viral “MACARONI CHEESE,” YOUNG POSSE has stood out by leaning heavily into old-school and boom-bap hip-hop influences.
Their discography, featuring hits like “XXL,” “ATE THAT,” and “FREESTYLE,” has earned them praise for their technical rapping skills and cohesive group concept.
The January 27 comeback is seen as a pivotal moment for the group as they transition from “super rookies” into established artists.
By choosing to release a single early in the year, they are effectively “opening the gates” for 2026, signaling a year of high activity and creative evolution.
Expectations for 2026
With the music video already wrapped and the collaboration with Benzo generating buzz, the anticipation for YOUNG POSSE’s new sound is high.
Industry analysts suggest that this comeback will focus on refining their “K-pop hip-hop” hybrid style, potentially reaching a broader audience while maintaining the raw authenticity their core fans admire.
As they prepare to hit the music show circuit at the end of the month, YOUNG POSSE remains one of the most exciting groups to watch.
Their dedication to the hip-hop genre and their constant growth as performers suggest that 2026 will be a year of record-breaking milestones for the five members.
Following the official release on January 27, the group is expected to engage in a full range of domestic and international promotions, including fan meetings and variety show appearances.
