CORTIS returns with a more confident direction
CORTIS gave fans a taste of what is about to come on Monday, April 20, 2026, with the pre-release track “REDRED,” providing an early look at its upcoming second EP. The rookie boy group, managed by BigHit Music, has built their image as a young creator team that participates in many areas of production, including songwriting, choreography, and video planning. Since debuting last year, the quintet has drawn attention as a junior act after BTS and Tomorrow X Together. Their first mini-album, “Color Outside the Lines,” entered the Billboard 200 and reached the top of music charts in 18 countries, spawning hits like “GO!” and “Fashion.”
“REDRED” reflects on the group’s identity
The newly released track precedes the EP “GREENGREEN,” which will arrive on Monday, May 4, 2026. According to the boy group, their upcoming project focuses more clearly on their own taste and identity. Leader Martin said the team kept adjusting the music until the final stages of mixing to achieve the sound they wanted.
“We experimented and challenged ourselves in many ways to tell Cortis’ own story in this comeback. We pushed the production to the very last stage of mixing to achieve the sound we wanted,” the group’s leader, Martin, revealed.
Meanwhile, the group’s older, James, explained that the ideas of “green” and “red” helped shape the concept. In the group’s view, green represents what they accept, while red represents what they reject. That contrast helped the members remove ideas that did not feel true to who they are.
REDRED is an electronic and overstimulating listening experience
“REDRED” uses rough electronic sounds, repeated beats, and chant-like vocals to create a raw and carefree style. The group described the concept as intentional rawness, meaning the music may sound rough but is still carefully designed. That approach also appears in the visuals, which use light makeup and a more natural image.
The music video was filmed in older parts of Seoul, including Nakwon Arcade and nearby streets, and features more than 500 extras. Martin said those locations matched the song’s texture and mood. Then, member Juhoon added that while the first album focused on making a strong introduction, this new release is more about enjoying the stage and showing CORTIS more clearly.
“While our first album was about making a strong first impression through sound, this one is more about enjoying the stage. It reflects Cortis’ taste and standards more clearly.”
Listen to REDRED below and do not forget to pre-save and pre-order “GREENGREEN,” releasing on May 4.
