MLB Taps a K-pop Rookie for Its Biggest Baseball Stage
America’s Major League Baseball just gave K-pop its latest home run. On October 1, MLB dropped its postseason promo video via TikTok, and guess what soundtracked the hype? “GO!”—the high-energy intro track from rookie group CORTIS’s debut EP COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES.
“Time to Color Outside the Lines” Hits the Big Leagues
The promo clip uses the phrase “Time to color outside the lines. The NL Wild Card begins today,” making a direct nod to the EP’s title. For U.S. baseball fans, that’s a clear signal: postseason—aka ‘autumn baseball’—is officially underway. For K-pop fans? It’s a crossover dream come true.
CORTIS Is Taking Over More Than Just Playlists
The exposure doesn’t stop at a single TikTok post. “GO!” will accompany highlight reels across the 2025 MLB postseason, spanning social media, TV, steaming platforms, podcasts, and even stadium sound systems. Basically, if there’s a screen or speaker nearby, it might be blasting CORTIS.
Billboard Numbers Don’t Lie
CORTIS may be rookies, but they’re playing a veteran’s game. Their EP COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES hit No. 15 on the Billboard 200 (chart dated September 27), sticking around for a second straight week. Meanwhile, “GO!” soared to No. 175 on the Billboard Global 200 as of October 4, climbing five spots without any major promotions.
Pro tip: Not bad for a group whose official debut wraps up, but whose global momentum clearly isn’t taking a break.
This Isn’t Just a Promo—It’s a Power Move
Leveraging K-pop in a major American sports campaign proves just how global Hallyu has become. With a U.S. audience already hooked on Korean dramas and skincare, MLB sliding a K-pop beat into its postseason feels… well, inevitable.
As one fan joked online, “K-pop world domination starts at third base.”
What’s Next?
Whether you’re a K-pop stan, baseball buff, or both, one thing’s clear: CORTIS is making noise far beyond Korea. And if MLB’s using their music to get fans hyped for the most intense games of the year, the group’s next move might just be their biggest yet.
