The Complete Olive Young K-Beauty Shopping Guide | Big Stores, Best Sellers & Tax Refunds

Ask foreign travelers where they must shop in Korea, and many will answer "Olive Young." Olive Young is Korea's leading health & beauty store, bringing together skincare, sheet masks, sunscreen and color cosmetics, plus hair and body care, all under one roof.

You'll find stores easily near almost every major tourist spot in Seoul, and with just your passport you can get a tax refund (VAT refund) right at the checkout, which makes it especially convenient if it's your first time shopping for K-beauty.

In this guide, we cover the big stores popular with international travelers, how to get the most out of a visit, the best-selling items visitors take home, and tips for shopping smart.

1. Big Olive Young Stores Popular with Travelers

① Olive Young Central Myeongdong Town

Myeongdong is the heart of K-beauty shopping. Olive Young Central Myeongdong Town, which opened in March 2026, is a large store with about 1,000 brands across three floors, ideal if you want to compare a wide range of products in one place. Staff who can help in foreign languages are also available, so even first-timers can shop with ease.

Getting there: Walk from Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2) or Myeongdong Station (Line 4)

Tip: Myeongdong gets very crowded in the evening. For a relaxed visit, go in the morning right after opening, and check the opening hours on the official channels before you go.

② Olive Young N Seongsu

Seongsu-dong, one of Seoul's trendiest neighborhoods these days, is home to the experience-focused store 'Olive Young N Seongsu.' It has spacious areas where you can try products and experience the latest trends, and its seasonal pop-up zones are worth a look too.

Getting there: Walk from Seongsu Station (Line 2)

Tip: Seongsu-dong is packed with unique cafés and pop-up stores. Exploring the surrounding alleys after shopping makes a perfect half-day course.

③ Gangnam & Hongdae Stores

Olive Young Gangnam Town near Gangnam Station spans several floors and is great for testing new products, while the store near Hongik University Station offers a wide selection of color cosmetics and perfumes. Pick a large store close to where you're staying.

Tip: Large stores carry far more products and stock than small neighborhood shops. If there's something you really want, head to a large store first.

2. How to Make the Most of an Olive Young Store

Olive Young stores are usually divided into skincare, sheet masks, sun care, color cosmetics, hair & body, and health food sections. Most products have testers, so you can try them before you choose.

Just paying attention to the price tags and stickers on the shelves can help you shop much smarter.

• 1+1: A promotion where you get two for the price of one, often seen on sheet masks and sunscreens.
• Free gift (증정): Special sets that include minis or samples when you buy the full-size product.
• Sale price: If a discounted price is shown next to the regular price, the item is on promotion.
• Special sets: Full-size products bundled with refills or minis, popular as gifts.

3. Popular Items International Travelers Buy

If you're not sure what to buy, start with the categories below. Many are products Koreans love too, so you can't go far wrong.

• Sheet masks: Light and affordable, they're the most popular gift. Buying a box of 10 is better value.
• Sunscreen: Korean sunscreens with their light, fresh texture are a steady favorite among international travelers.
• Toner pads, ampoules & serums: There are products for every skin concern, so check the texture with a tester first.
• Lip tints & cushions: With so many shades, trying them on to find your color is half the fun.
• Hand cream & cleansers: Affordably priced, they're great for buying several and sharing with friends.

Many stores also have a separate section for men's skincare and shaving products. Easy products like all-in-one lotions are especially popular with male travelers.

4. Tax Refunds & Payment

Many Olive Young stores offer an immediate tax refund that deducts VAT right at the checkout. Just show your passport to the staff before paying and ask for a tax refund. It's convenient because you don't need to go through a separate refund process at the airport.

According to store guidance, an immediate refund is available on purchases of 15,000 won or more per transaction, and there are limits per purchase and for your whole trip. The minimum amount and limits may change, so double-check with the staff at the checkout.

Tip: You can't get a refund with a photo or copy of your passport. Be sure to bring your physical passport when you go shopping. Most foreign credit cards are accepted.

5. Olive Young Shopping Tips

• Olive Young Sale: Big sales are held four times a year (March, June, September and December). Check the December sale dates on the official Olive Young app or social media announcements.
• The online mall is separate: Olive Young Global Mall is an online store for international shipping and is run separately from in-store discounts and benefits.
• When to go: Large stores have long checkout lines on weekend afternoons and evenings. Weekday mornings are the most relaxed.
• Carry-on rules: Liquids and creams over 100ml can't be taken in your carry-on. If you bought a lot of cosmetics, pack them in checked baggage.
• Compare prices: The same product can be priced differently depending on promotions. Check first whether there's a 1+1 or free-gift set.

Smarter K-Beauty Shopping with WOWKOREA SERVICE

Once you've picked up everyday cosmetics at Olive Young, get premium beauty brands for less at the duty-free shop. Get the Lotte Duty Free Myeongdong Main Store coupon from the WOWKOREA SERVICE WOW Special coupon page and show it with your passport at the service desk to receive various benefits, such as membership discounts and discount coupons based on your purchase amount. Check the coupon page for details and excluded brands.

See the Lotte Duty Free Myeongdong Main Store coupon

If a full day of shopping has worn you out, order Korean food comfortably to your accommodation with WOWKOREA SERVICE Food Delivery.

A place full of the fun of testing, comparing and choosing. Find the K-beauty that's just right for you at Olive Young!

Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons — Sgroey, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CartoonChess, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Choi Kwang-mo, CC0 · Jmh65890, CC0 · Siyoung In, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Pkccccj, CC BY-SA 4.0