“Dongmyo’s where we gather, like a seminar … From the graves of clothes we’re revived / Vintage Jesus.” Lines like these and others from the song “FaSHioN” off CORTIS’ debut album are all about vintage clothes and are inspired by the group’s personal experiences. JAMES has been a regular visitor to the thrift market in Seoul’s Dongmyo neighborhood since his trainee days, curating his unique sense of style through a closet full of thrifty finds, all with their own story. Whether something’s popular, a brand-name item, or comes with a big price tag attached, don't enter into his fashion philosophy, and neither do what other people think of his look. True to the group’s name—a compressed version of the phrase “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES”—JAMES follows his own compass, whether he’s putting together a song or his next outfit.
“FaSHioN” is all about the group’s personal experiences, and has lots of lines about vintage fashion, like “Dongmyo’s where we gather, like a seminar” and “Thrift shop finds got me looking fresh.”
What is it about vintage that you personally find so appealing?
Both new and vintage clothes have their own charms, but I think what makes older clothes so special is the stories behind them.
Plus, you can’t beat those prices.
No matter how amazing some piece of clothing is, if it’s expensive, it kills the mood a bit. (laughs)
So when I pick something great up for cheap, I feel extra proud. The leather jacket I’m wearing was a steal at just 50,000 won.
Honestly, I don’t care if it’s brand-name or not—if it looks good to me, I’ll buy it for my wardrobe.
I heard you went shopping at the thrift market in Dongmyo recently.
Is that somewhere you go often?
These days I go when I have time, but I went there all the time back when I was a trainee.
The lyrics to “FaSHioN” started off as stuff I wrote for a song about Dongmyo and the older women there back then.
I think it was for one of the monthly evaluations.
Anyway, I ended up reworking that theme into “FaSHioN.” Dongmyo is full of amazing stuff you’d never find in boutique shops, all in one place—vinyls, kitchenware, socks.
There’s such a variety that you’re bound to discover interesting things.
I even found a pair of jeans at the Dongmyo clothing graveyard for something like 13,000 won. (laughs)
Were you into fashion even before becoming a trainee?
No, I wasn’t really that into it before that point.
I used to play ice hockey, so I mostly just wore tracksuits, but during my trainee days, some of the others were like, “Isn’t it sort of a waste to just wear tracksuits all the time?”
And when I thought about it, they kind of had a point.
If you switch up your clothes, you can express yourself based on how you feel each day, and it breaks the days up—like, “Okay, I’m really alive here.”
I still take comfort into consideration when I’m shopping for clothes, though, even now.
I have to feel something’s comfy or else I won’t wear it that much. Oh, and I also check if I can dance in it.
You mentioned your favorite vintage shopping spot is Shimokitazawa in Japan.
What makes it stand out from everywhere else?
I actually went there recently with the rest of the group!
The curry we had was great, and I still wear the clothes I bought on that trip all the time. (laughs)
Shimokitazawa is huge, so you can spend a whole day there, and I love that about it. There’s a ton of vintage shops lining the bigger streets, so there’s a lot to look at.
When I went vintage shopping in LA, I only hit up one or two stores, but you can make a day out of Shimokitazawa going into all these shops and grabbing something to eat.
It’s a great place to spend a day off.
My best memory is, I bought a great beige jacket and a brimmed beanie there.
Everywhere has its own vibe and style when it comes to vintage shops.
Is there a place you’d really like to go vintage shopping?
I’d love to explore other parts of Japan besides Shimokitazawa. Europe seems like it’d have places with a totally different vibe, too.
I went to New York once, but I didn’t have much time to look around. I definitely have to check out the vintage places properly next time, seeing as it’s a fashion capital.
In Korea, I went looking around Sinsa, and the vibe there was better than I expected.
It seems like little vintage shops are popping up there. It left a real impression on me.
There are plenty of vintage shopping options online nowadays, but there’s just something fun about buying in person.
Yeah. When I go shopping, I usually like to have my earphones in and quietly browse on my own.
You can just go around trying on anything interesting you find that way. It can even be kind of therapeutic.
It’s also a little safer because you really need to try stuff on in person to get a proper sense of how it fits.
Do you usually plan ahead, or do you just walk into whatever store catches your eye?
I’m more of a spur-of-the-moment kind of person, even when I travel.
I just pop in somewhere, pick out something interesting, and buy that. That’s not just for vintage, either.
I remember one time I was just walking down the street in New Zealand and there was this random but super cool shop there.
Honestly, some of the best shops are the ones you just stumble upon. I don’t really pick the place first and then head over—I like discovering a cool-looking place and finding something cool in there instead.
Do you have any good spots or tips for people new to vintage shopping?
First of all, online shopping is the easiest way to go when you’re starting out.
It’s a good system with good descriptions.
When you shop in person, there’s actually a lot of little things you need to check for.
Once you’re more into vintage fashion and get an eye for what works, I’d recommend going to different places in person.
What kind of vintage items are you most into these days?
It’s always changing.
If I need pants for practice, I’m focused on pants. If the weather changes and I need an outer layer, I’m focused on jackets.
The bag I’m using right now is a bit beat up, so I’m on the hunt for a new one—to sort of give to myself as a gift, since it’s the end of the year. [Note: This interview took place in December 2025.]
I’ve got this big Boston bag in my cart that’s big enough to hold my laptop.
I want it so I can take just that one bag with me to the airport when I’m taking a short trip somewhere.
Can you tell us about any vintage items you’ve bought that you use all the time?
I show off a ton of vintage clothing and accessories in CORTIS content.
One thing I use a lot is the PVC bag I had with me at the airport before. I’ve got a leather jacket that’s shown up a lot in short-form videos, too!
And the vintage coat I wore in the “lullaby dance” clip—that’s my go-to when I can’t decide what to wear.
It’s black, so it goes with everything.
What are your main considerations when picking out vintage pieces?
What’s important is whether it’s something I can wear every day. Even if it’s super cool, it’s kind of a waste if you can’t wear it often.
After I check the price, I immediately ask myself, “Am I going to wear this two or three times a week?”
You once shared a vintage shopping tip with COER: “Always offer half the price.” (laughs)
Do you have any other personal tips?
First of all, when you’re bartering, check the condition of the clothes carefully.
Next, think, “What could I haggle this down to?” Also, it’s not always easy to find something that suits you right away.
That’s why it’s important to just keep trying stuff on.
And I place a lot of importance on size. A little tear, some stretching, or stains I’m fine with, but still check.
You must have a different set of tips for when shopping for vintage items online on sites like FruitsFamily.
I don’t have any game-changing tips, but I think it’s important to be bold and ask questions!
And when I check sizes, I use AI.
I put in my height, weight, and other details, then input the details of the clothes and ask it, “Do you think this would fit me?” I actually have that open right now. (laughs)
I do that anytime I find something good and the AI lets me know right away.
You’re not the only one in CORTIS who’s into vintage fashion—the whole group loves it.
There’s a memorable moment in one of your videos where you’re packing for an overseas trip and they’re all asking each other, “Should I bring this?”
Do you ask them for their opinions when picking what to pack, too?
I don’t, actually. (laughs)
I just figure it out and decide for myself.
Even if they ask me, I’m like, “Personally, I like it, but it’s your call.” (laughs) Everyone just wears whatever they want in the end anyway.
MARTIN and JUHOON always check with each other, and SEONGHYEON likes to look around before picking clothes. Meanwhile, KEONHO’s low-key a lot like me—he just wears what he likes.
In your “go home” video, there’s a funny scene where all of you bring back clothes from your families and try them on.
You could say those are secondhand clothes as well.
I don’t borrow clothes from my family as much as hats—like berets—bags, or sunglasses.
Most of the bags and sunglasses I use are from my mom, and most of the hats are from my dad.
It seems like each of you in CORTIS differ a bit in your fashion sense.
From your perspective, would you say each of you approaches fashion in a unique way?
It’s hard to describe exactly, but we all definitely have our own vibe. We’re not dressing like each other—we mostly dress according to our personal preferences.
You could open a closet door and go, “Oh, this is SEONGHYEON’s. This is MARTIN’s, KEONHO’s, JUHOON’s, JAMES’!” Right away.
KEONHO wears roughly the same kind of thing all the time, and SEONGHYEON’s got certain clothes that are similar that he picks out a lot.
JUHOON and MARTIN, on the other hand, change up their looks pretty often. I’m also pretty fluid depending on the day.
We do all seem to dress according to our tastes. (laughs)
How would you describe your fashion sense, personally?
What’s the most important thing for you when putting an outfit together?
I don’t really stress the details when I dress up.
I like a quiet, understated vibe, so I don’t even mess with my hair much.
It’s all about balance for me, and I really don’t want to be wearing any one thing that stands out too much. And it changes a lot every day.
Some days, I just want to be super casual in a baggy hoodie, sweatpants, and sneakers. Other days, I might feel like wearing a coat or leather jacket.
Lately, I’ve just been picking whatever most closely aligns with my mood that day. Maybe as I get older, I’ll settle into a more consistent style, but for now, I’m pretty flexible.
Even the visual branding team talked about how I really seem to be into trying out different styles.
Where do you usually get inspiration for your styles?
I’m surrounded by a lot of media, so I get a lot of inspiration from movies and music.
I especially like using older films as a reference point for clothes, and I look to Damon Albarn from the rock band Blur a lot.
I admire his style because it’s understated but still effortlessly cool.
The name CORTIS is about a “determination to think beyond the boundaries defined by the world.”
What kind of message do you hope to convey through your fashion choices?
There isn’t one specific message I want to convey—I just hope people feel comfortable dressing the way that suits them. In the same way that I like vintage stuff, I don’t think clothes have to be brand-new or expensive to be stylish.
All that matters is that it looks good to you. You can end up with a completely different vibe depending on how you style an outfit.
Affordable clothes can absolutely look amazing.
Fashion is less about the clothes themselves and more about looking effortless in them.
There’s nothing cooler than confidently wearing whatever speaks to you without worrying about what other people think.