Olive Young Korea: A Local's Guide for Travelers

 If you've heard about K-beauty, you've probably heard of Olive Young.

Olive Young is one of the most popular health and beauty retailers in Korea. You can find skincare, makeup, haircare, body care, health products, and many of the beauty products currently trending in Korea.

But is Olive Young really a place you need to visit during your trip to Korea?

As a Korean local, I don't personally shop at Olive Young very often. I usually buy things online, and as I get older, I tend to look at different brands and products than younger shoppers do.

However, Olive Young is definitely worth seeing if you want to experience a part of Korea's current beauty and shopping culture.

Here is what you should know before you go.

Olive Young store in Seongsu, Seoul

1. Why Is Olive Young So Popular in Korea?

Olive Young is especially popular with teenagers and people in their 20s and 30s.

Young Koreans often visit Olive Young to browse new beauty products, buy lip products, pick up something they have seen online, or shop for a friend's birthday gift.

My 12-year-old niece already has more lip products than I do!

Olive Young has also become a place to discover products that are popular online. Sometimes a product becomes widely talked about in Korea, and shoppers go to Olive Young to see it for themselves.

You may also see younger shoppers simply walking around and looking at products. As my niece puts it, "Olive Young is fun just to browse."

That is actually a good way to understand the appeal of Olive Young.

You don't always go there because you already know what you want to buy. Sometimes you go to see what's new and what's popular in Korea.

2. What Do Koreans Actually Buy at Olive Young?

Beauty products are the main attraction, but Olive Young sells much more than makeup.

You can find skincare, hair products, body care, health products, supplements, and other everyday items.

Among younger shoppers, lip products are particularly popular. Many products are around the ₩10,000 range, making them relatively easy to buy without spending too much.

Some Koreans also buy things such as probiotics or protein drinks at Olive Young, especially when there is a sale.

Personally, I don't shop there very often. I often compare prices online before buying something, and sometimes online shopping is cheaper.

So don't assume that every Korean regularly shops at Olive Young. Its popularity is particularly noticeable among younger consumers and people interested in beauty and current trends.

Olive Young store in Korea

3. Is Olive Young Expensive?

Olive Young has a much wider price range than Daiso.

Daiso is known for inexpensive everyday products, with most items costing between ₩1,000 and ₩5,000.

Olive Young is different. You can find inexpensive items, but many beauty products cost somewhere between about ₩10,000 and ₩30,000, with some products costing considerably more.

So Olive Young is not really a "cheap store."

Instead, think of it as a place where you can discover and compare a wide variety of Korean beauty products at different price points.

If you see something you like, it is worth checking the price online before buying. Prices and promotions can vary.

4. Can You Test Products at Olive Young?

Yes, but how you test a product depends on what you are buying.

Color cosmetics such as lip products, makeup, and other items that depend on color are commonly available with testers.

Many shoppers test lip colors on the back of their hand or on a test strip rather than applying the product directly to their lips.

Skincare is a little different. Some people simply buy products they already know or have researched rather than testing them in the store.

If you are unsure, look for a tester or ask a staff member.

And remember: a tester is there for everyone to use, so it is better to follow the store's instructions rather than applying a product directly to your face or lips.

Testing lip products at Olive Young

5. How Can You Find Out What Is Popular in Korea Right Now?

This is one of the most useful Olive Young tips for travelers.

Olive Young has an official Best Sellers ranking. The ranking is updated daily based on Olive Young's online and offline sales data in Korea. You can also browse different categories.

So if you want to know what Korean shoppers are buying right now, check the ranking before you visit.

Check Olive Young Global Best Sellers

You don't have to blindly follow the list and buy the number-one product.

Instead, use it as a quick way to discover products and brands that are currently popular in Korea.

Want to know what's trending in Korea? Check the Olive Young Best Sellers ranking first.

6. Should Tourists Visit Olive Young?

Yes — especially if you are interested in Korean beauty, skincare, or simply want to see what young Koreans are shopping for.

You don't have to buy anything.

Walk around, look at the products, check the testers, and see what catches your eye.

If you are visiting Korea for the first time, Olive Young can be a fun way to experience modern Korean shopping culture.

For travelers who are not particularly interested in cosmetics, however, I wouldn't say Olive Young is a must-see attraction.

If you need something, buy it.

If you are curious, go inside and look around.

That's enough.

Olive Young product rankings

7. Which Olive Young Store Should You Visit?

Olive Young stores are found throughout Korea, but the experience can be very different depending on the location.

In ordinary neighborhoods, you may find a regular Olive Young store that local residents use for everyday shopping.

In major tourist areas, however, you are much more likely to see larger stores designed with international visitors in mind.

For example, Olive Young Myeongdong Town was specifically designed for international tourists, with multilingual services, English product information, and an English floor map. International tourists made up about 90% of its customer base when the store opened.

There is also Olive Young N Seongsu, a huge five-story flagship store in Seongsu. It covers approximately 4,620 square meters and is designed around K-beauty trends and new brands.

If you are already visiting Myeongdong or Seongsu, these larger stores can be much more interesting than a small neighborhood branch.

8. Why Do Foreign Tourists Like Olive Young?

This is where Olive Young becomes particularly interesting.

K-beauty has become popular around the world, but shopping for Korean beauty products in Korea itself is a different experience.

You can see products that you may have only seen online, compare different brands in one place, and discover new products that are currently popular in Korea.

The tourist-focused stores also make shopping easier for international visitors.

Olive Young N Seongsu, for example, attracted more than 2.5 million visitors during its first year, and international customers accounted for a significant share of its sales.

So if you see a long line of international tourists carrying Olive Young bags in a major tourist district, that's not unusual.

You probably won't see the same scene at every neighborhood Olive Young.

Shopping for sheet masks at Olive Young

9. What Should Tourists Buy at Olive Young?

There is no single product that every tourist needs to buy.

If you already have a Korean beauty product on your shopping list, Olive Young is a good place to look for it.

If you simply want a small souvenir, relatively inexpensive products such as sheet masks or lip products may be easier choices than expensive skincare products.

You may also discover something completely different once you get inside.

My advice is simple:

Don't buy something just because it is popular. Buy something you actually want or need.

And if you see a product you are interested in, check the current Olive Young Best Sellers list and compare prices before making your final decision.

10. When Is a Good Time to Shop at Olive Young?

Olive Young Day takes place from the 25th to the 27th of every month.

These three days offer special benefits and promotions for Olive Young members. If you're visiting Korea around these dates, it's worth checking the current promotions before you shop.

However, don't assume that every Olive Young Day benefit is automatically available to international visitors. Some offers are tied to Olive Young membership, so check the current terms before making a purchase.

If you're visiting a major tourist area such as Myeongdong or Seongsu, also check whether the specific store is participating in the promotion.

Olive Young mask pack best sellers

11. A Local's Honest Opinion

I don't personally visit Olive Young as often as some younger Koreans do.

I usually buy many of my products online, and as I mentioned earlier, my shopping habits are different from those of my younger relatives.

But I still think Olive Young is worth visiting if you are traveling to Korea.

Why?

Because you are not just shopping for cosmetics.

You are getting a look at what is popular in Korean beauty and lifestyle culture right now.

You can see the products that Korean teenagers and young adults are talking about, discover brands you may not know, and simply enjoy browsing a store that has become an important part of modern Korean shopping culture.

You don't need to leave with a huge shopping bag.

Go in, have a look, and buy something only if you find something you really want.

💕If you're looking for even more affordable everyday items, Daiso Korea is another popular place to shop during your trip.