Table of Contents
Introduction
Olive Young is considered one of the essential places to shop at for foreigners and locals in South Korea. It is a one-stop shop for beauty, skincare, haircare, wellness, health products, and more. If you're visiting South Korea, chances are you'll come across an Olive Young almost everywhere you go.
It’s a must-visit stop because of its affordable prices, especially when compared to other countries for k-beauty and trendy products. You can find items for every type of person! Read more about the brand’s history, impact, products, and importance.
What Is Olive Young?
Olive Young is South Korea’s largest health and beauty retailer. With around 1,400 stores in Korea alone, recently they have expanded into other countries such as the U.S., opening their first location in Pasadena, California. Olive Young is able to reach many countries and audiences since products are also available online to buy and are shipped around the world. The name "Olive Young" is a play on the phrase "All Live Young," reflecting the brand's mission of helping people live healthy and beautiful lives.
The brand is operated by CJ Olive Young. It was founded back in 1999 by the CJ group which is a large conglomerate(chaebol) and leader in the lifestyle, entertainment, food and retail industries. Popular names under the brand include CJ ENM, which is a top Korean entertainment company, Bibigo the global food brand and even Tous Les Jours which is a French-Asian inspired bakery which is a global chain.
Why Is Olive Young So Popular?
Source: CJ Newsroom
Olive Young can be described as the “K-beauty playground” there are often affordable, innovative, and trending products in which you can try out in store, and ask the staff for help when needed. The Olive Young staff in Korea are helpful and they are available to help if needed while giving shoppers space to browse.
It’s a great place to shop if you don’t have much knowledge about skincare or makeup in general. Many products have signs highlighting what is trending that month, best sellers, or customer favorites, making it easier to discover new products. When in doubt, these recommendations are a great place to start! Oftentimes, you will also see K-pop artists, popular actors, and celebrities featured as the faces of brand campaigns, which adds to the excitement of discovering new products.
I got to try some viral sunscreen products that I had seen all over social media, and it definitely was not overhyped. What surprised me most was that I was able to buy a three-pack for about the price of a single bottle in the U.S. I also noticed there are a lot of 1+1 or buy one get one deals which can lead to bigger savings. Visitors from the U.S. or other countries may also find many products surprisingly affordable, especially after converting prices from Korean won to U.S. dollars.
Each location is different as well. They all range in size, and in what services are provided. For example, one store in Hongdae I came across had hair tools such as a flat iron, to use in store to touch up your hairstyle and test out the products. I remember another one I visited had a skin analysis system which told me my skin age, skin type, and recommended products as well! This is one of the perks of shopping at Olive Young because these services are completely free.
Best Things to Buy at Olive Young
Source: Olive Young
Sunscreen: Korean sunscreens are known for leaving little to no white cast while keeping the skin hydrated. They are lightweight, comfortable for all-day wear, and suitable for many skin types. Some popular brands include Beauty of Joseon, Round Lab, and Anua.
Sheet Masks: One of the most affordable products to try, sheet masks can be purchased individually or in multi-packs to target a variety of skin concerns, such as hydration, brightening, and soothing. Popular brands include Mediheal, Torriden, and Anua.
Lip Tints & Glosses: Korean lip products are loved for their natural-looking color, glossy finishes, and long-lasting formulas. My personal favorite is Rom&nd, while Fwee and Dasique are also popular best-selling brands.
Cleansing Oils & Face Washes: Double cleansing is a staple of many Korean skincare routines. Start with a cleansing oil to remove makeup and sunscreen, then follow with a facial cleanser. Anua and SKIN1004 are known for their cleansing oils, while Round Lab and Beauty of Joseon offer gentle cleansers suitable for a variety of skin types.
Shampoo & Conditioners: With a focus on scalp health as the foundation for healthy hair, Korean shampoos and conditioners are becoming increasingly popular. Brands such as UNOVE, Dr.FORHAIR, and LABO-H offer products designed to address concerns like dryness, dandruff, damaged hair, and hair thinning.
Hair Masks & Treatments: Whether you're looking for a nourishing hair mask, scalp treatment, or leave-in serum, Korean haircare products are designed to repair damage while keeping hair soft, healthy, and shiny. Popular brands include UNOVE, RYO, Mise-en-scène, and Lador.
Vitamins & Health Products: Olive Young also carries a wide selection of vitamins, collagen supplements, probiotics, protein products, and other wellness essentials, making it a convenient place to shop for both beauty and health.
Snacks: Don't forget to browse the snack aisle! Olive Young offers a variety of unique Korean snacks, drinks, protein bars, and healthier treats, making it a fun place to discover local favorites or pick up souvenirs to bring home. Popular brands include HBAF, Delight Project, and Benope.
Olive Young's International Impact
Source: Frame Magazine
Olive Young has heavily contributed to the popularity of K-beauty worldwide. From its physical brick-and-mortar stores to its highly accessible online store, it targets consumers all over the world. Since it is easily accessible it has allowed both locals and tourists to gain more knowledge in Korean brands and trends as well as incorporating them into their daily routines.
I myself have continued to use my Korean skincare which I bought from Olive Young, and find that I am quite the fan of some makeup lip products, as I completed a color analysis during my time in Korea. A lot of the makeup brands had charts to direct you towards which shades match your color palette which I found super convenient while shopping in stores without having to do prior research on what may look best.
Where Can You Find Olive Young?
Source: Trazy Blog
With as many locations as Olive Young has, stores are in top cities like Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Jeju, Daegu, Daejeon and some even have location specific products! There are also some locations found in airports like Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport which are great for last minute shopping before catching a flight!
Flagship locations are a bit different. These are the locations that may offer more interactive services, color and skin analyses, free gifts, have pop up events, higher selections, different layouts, etc. Some of these locations are in Hongdae, Gangnam, Seongsu, Itaewon and the most popular and largest flagship location is in Myeongdong. This one features over 1,000 brands, has 3 stories, and 15,000 products! A fun fact about this location is that this specific store was used as a filming location in the popular K-drama True beauty, which can be recognized in the show.
Tax Refunds for Tourists
Many tourists are already aware of the tax refunds that are issued for people visiting South Korea. When making purchases you get the value added tax(VAT) refunded. As long as you make a purchase of at least 15,000 KRW and are leaving the country within 3 months, you are all set! You may find in some other stores there are machines available to do your refund. In Olive Young, if you carry your passport you can do an instant tax refund there as well. If you plan on waiting to do your refund, you can collect the receipts and there are kiosks at the airports as well, so before you travel back home you can get your refund.
Shopping Tips for First-Time Visitors
Source: The Korea Times
If you are looking for the most variety and largest selection, I would highly recommend visiting a flagship location. A good tip is to keep in mind what day and time you are visiting as well. Weekdays are typically less busy, as well as earlier in the day is best to avoid crowds.
If you are wanting to bring products home, be sure to buy in bulk or pick up exclusive or hard to find products that may not be available in your home country. In my case, I was able to buy products for myself, friends, and family while also trying products I had been wanting to try, along with new ones I found in the store.
Source: Seommer Days
There are many deals that are always changing, like 1,000 KRW face masks which were the best!I also found a love for the various snacks that were available to purchase. There were a lot of healthy options such as protein shakes and bars, bagel chips, and even dalgona snacks which were my favorite during my time in Korea, which I then brought home!
A good tip for shopping in Korea is to bring a reusable bag for all of your shopping. When shopping there may be paper bags available to purchase for a small price. Many times I had to buy a bag the times I decided to shop.
Final Thoughts
Source: The Korea Herald
As a foreigner, I had a great experience every time I walked into a store. The employees are welcoming, and also helped me with my shopping when I had questions. The overall vibe of the place was great as well, there was always trendy music playing and the stores were clean, organized, and stocked with many products. I can see why Olive Young has become an essential part of everyday life in Korea and a must-visit destination for international travelers interested in K-beauty.
I would say try not to grab everything you see, or you may end up spending more than you expected! However, the chances of walking into an Olive Young and leaving without buying anything are pretty low. So, enjoy the opportunity to try the products you've been wanting to try and discover a few new favorites along the way.
Even if you are not planning to be in Korea anytime soon, Olive Young has a global website that allows people from all over the world to shop online. You can still experience the brand by browsing the website, where you'll find many of the same deals, best selling products, and new arrivals available in Korea.
Daebak
At Daebak, we’re passionate about sharing Korean culture with the world. From travel inspiration and cultural guides to curated Korean products delivered straight to your door, we’re here to help you experience the best of Korea wherever you are.
You can also find select K-beauty products through Daebak. If you're interested in trying the trendy and popular products in Korea, then check out the Daebak K-Beauty Box here.
