One thing that is easy to notice is that BTS has always been the flagship artist of Big Hit Music — the group that not only achieved the company’s greatest success but also transformed it from a small agency into a leading entertainment powerhouse. As a result, any boy group debuting afterward under the same label, such as TXT and Cortis, is inevitably placed in a frame of comparison to see whether they can “carry on BTS’s legacy.”
Another factor comes from HYBE’s own promotional strategy, which often highlights new groups as inheritors of BTS’s legacy. When TXT debuted, Big Hit promoted them as “Next Generation Leaders,” indirectly placing them in relation to their superstar seniors.
This time, with Cortis, HYBE has emphasized self-producing music, strong sкιℓℓs, and a mature image — reflecting in part the model BTS had succeeded with. From the moment of debut, the group has been positioned in media coverage and interviews as strong candidates for the label of “the next BTS.”
On the August 25 broadcast of Park Myung-soo's Radio Show on KBS CoolFM, Big Hit Music’s rookie group Cortis appeared as guests on the “Park Myung-soo’s Financier” segment, once again being placed in this familiar context when the host introduced them by declaring: “This is the second BTS.”
In response, leader Martin tactfully said: “Today is our first live broadcast, so we’ll do our very best,” while admitting: “I feel a lot of pressure, but I’m approaching this with the same sense of responsibility.”
When Park Myung-soo further added, "I like BTS and I’m very close with them. I’m also close with TXT members, including Yeonjun. This is Big Hit’s first boy group in six years". Martin then opened up about his relationship with RM. “My sister has been a huge BTS fan since I was young, and I’ve always looked up to RM as my role model. Recently, I’ve received a lot of advice from him as a leader,” he shared.
Martin’s handling of the BTS-related questions earned praise from fans. It was not an easy answer for a rookie group only a few days into debut. The title of “second BTS” or “the next BTS” is a particularly sensitive one — even TXT, six years after debut, have never openly embraced such a label or answered those questions easily.
On the other hand, by neither denying nor directly rejecting the comparison, Martin and Cortis avoided being misinterpreted as disrespectful toward BTS or the host. Instead, his remarks subtly emphasized responsibility and humility, showing that the group acknowledges the heavy expectations placed on them and is working hard to meet them.
Previously, the members of Cortis had already spoken comfortably about their friendship with BTS. In an interview with Spotify, when asked about the artist he admired most, Martin gave a firm answer: “RM sunbae-nim from BTS! He’s the reason why I came into this company. There’s a lot I can learn from him as a leader. I respect him a lot.”
According to кσяєα JoongAng Daily, Cortis also shared about BTS’s support during their debut: “One piece of advice that BTS gave us when we met them in person during j-hope’s concert was that we should never take things for granted. They’ve told us to stay humble, and their encouragement pushed us to train even harder.”
Another piece of BTS’s advice was also quoted in the media: “BTS gave us the advice to do well by the people that you’re working with, the staff. And I feel like that’s all that matters. To нιт a long run, you’ve got to be good to the people around you. You’ve got to show love.”
It is clear that BTS and Cortis share mutual admiration and respect, much like the sibling bond BTS and TXT have maintained for many years. At the same time, drawing inspiration and lessons from BTS, Cortis is motivated to write their own story and pave their own path.
