The bold claim came from a Korean media article praising CORTIS not just for their music, but for their creative control. According to the piece, the five-member team, formed under BigHit Music, does more than just perform. Each member contributes to writing, composing, directing, and producing their own content. The report described them as a “creative collective” redefining what it means to be idols, with one line declaring that they “represent a new paradigm of idols as full-fledged creators.”
The article went so far as to suggest that while 5th-generation idols expanded Kpop’s global reach, CORTIS would mark a turning point by bringing total artistry and self-production into the mainstream.
CORTIS reaches a new peak of 7,345,139 monthly listeners on Spotify! 🥳#CORTIS #코르티스 pic.twitter.com/IkUUf0LfiQ
— CORTIS Charts (@cortischarts) October 7, 2025
However, not everyone bought into the hype. On Korean forums like Instiz, the reactions were less than enthusiastic with comments saying that every time a rookie debuts, it’s suddenly a new generation. Some are also saying that 5th generation is still yet to reach it’s peak.
While CORTIS themselves have not made any official claim to a new “generation,” the discussion has snowballed across fan communities. Some see the label as just exaggerated media play, while others think it highlights a real shift happening in how idol groups are created and managed.
CORTIS debuted under BigHit Music on September 18 with their title track “GO!”. The group, produced by HYBE’s Bang Sihyuk. Their live debut drew praise for sharp choreography and stable vocals, reportedly performed without backing tracks or heavy edits.
cortis pics from “what we want” documentary intro without text — a thread
(im not a professional btw i just did my best) pic.twitter.com/qWlgtjlwlS
— ★ (@cortisnation) September 1, 2025
In interviews, CORTIS described their identity as being like “bibimbap”, a mix of different flavors blending into one. They also credited Bang Sihyuk as the “seasoning” that ties everything together and mentioned that BTS’s J-Hope gave them advice to “stay humble and thankful.”
Despite their talent, many fans still questioned the “6th generation” label. Some argued that the idea of generations has lost meaning, especially when new groups are constantly promoted as the start of a “new era.” Others said that stylistically, CORTIS still fits comfortably within the 5th generation, similar to other current acts.
One online comment summed up the general sentiment: “We’re changing generations every year now. Next year, another big group will debut, and suddenly we’ll be in the 7th or 8th generation.”
Even so, a few industry watchers admitted that CORTIS could represent a gradual evolution in artistry, especially with their heavy involvement in production. Whether that’s enough to start a new generation remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: they’ve already sparked one of Kpop’s most amusing debates of the year.
the only reason why journalists are saying cortis started 6th gen is because they upset that they’re beating everybody in thee gen and even some before their gen, they scared they about to bag them rookie awards pic.twitter.com/jIDkxcR1p0
— myles ★🦄 (@prodjuhoon) October 7, 2025
So, is CORTIS really leading the 6th generation of Kpop or just a victim of overzealous labeling? Fans will likely keep arguing about it until the next “new era” arrives.
