Walk down almost any shopping street in Korea and you will pass a green and white shop called Olive Young (올리브영). It is the country's biggest health and beauty chain, and for many visitors it is the easiest place to buy K-beauty: hundreds of Korean brands under one roof, testers on every shelf and staff used to tourists. Here is how to shop there without overspending or missing the tax refund.
What Olive Young is
Olive Young is a chain of drugstore-style shops selling skincare, make-up, hair and body care, small health products and snacks. Think of it as a mix of a pharmacy beauty aisle and a cosmetics department, but focused on Korean brands, many of which you will not find at home. There are well over a thousand branches across the country, in subway stations, shopping streets, department stores and near most tourist areas, so you rarely need to go out of your way to find one.
Prices are the same as or close to what Koreans pay, and there is almost always a promotion running: "1+1" (buy one, get one free) and "2+1" stickers, bundles with free minis, and discounts on featured brands.
Flagship stores in Seoul
Any branch will do for the basics, but the large flagship stores are easier for first-timers: more brands, more testers, more English-speaking staff and dedicated tax-free counters.
- Myeongdong: Olive Young's biggest tourist-focused shops are in Myeongdong, where several large branches sit a few minutes apart. Staff speak English, Chinese and Japanese, and signs are in several languages. See our Myeongdong shopping street guide for the rest of the area.
- Gangnam: a large flagship near Gangnam Station, handy if you are staying south of the river.
- Hongdae and Seongsu: busy branches popular with younger shoppers and often the first to stock trendy new brands.
Search "올리브영" or "Olive Young" in Naver Map or KakaoMap to find the nearest branch and check its current opening times, as these vary by location and change on holidays.
Tax-free shopping at the till
Most Olive Young branches in tourist areas offer an instant tax refund: the tax is taken off at the till, so you pay the lower price straight away and do not need to visit a kiosk at the airport. Look for a "Tax Free" sign at the entrance or counter.
- Bring your physical passport. Staff scan it at the till. A photo or copy is not usually accepted.
- Spend over the minimum in one receipt. At the time of writing the minimum for a tourist refund is 15,000 won in a single purchase, and instant refunds are limited per purchase and per trip. You cannot combine separate receipts later, so pay for everything together.
- Keep the receipt. You may be asked to show your goods or receipts when you leave Korea.
The thresholds and limits have changed several times in recent years, so check the sign in the shop or ask staff. Our tax-free shopping guide explains how refunds work in detail, including the airport process for bigger purchases.
Sale periods
If your dates are flexible, it is worth knowing about Olive Young's big seasonal sales, which locals call "Olyoung Sale" (올영세일). They usually run for about a week several times a year, often near the start of March, June, September and December, with deeper discounts across many brands. There are also shorter monthly promotions.
The exact dates are announced shortly beforehand and are not fixed, so check Olive Young's official website, app or social media accounts before your trip. During a sale, the popular stores are very crowded and bestsellers can sell out.
What to buy on a first visit
The choice is huge, so it helps to start with the categories Korean beauty is known for. You can test most products in the shop before you buy.
- Sunscreen. Korean sunscreens are light, often feel like a moisturiser and are among the most popular buys with visitors.
- Sheet masks. Cheap, light to pack and easy to give as gifts. Multi-packs are often on 1+1 offers.
- Toner pads and cleansers. Pre-soaked pads and gentle cleansers are everyday staples in Korea.
- Lip tints and cushion compacts. Korean make-up favourites; testers let you check the shade first.
- Hand creams and travel sizes. Good small gifts for friends and colleagues at home.
Look for the "best" or ranking shelves near the entrance, which show what is selling well right now. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, read the ingredients and patch-test new products, as you would at home. Staff can suggest products, but they are sales assistants, not doctors.
Check your airline's rules on liquids in hand luggage. Large bottles and aerosols are usually best packed in checked baggage; see our packing list.
Membership and apps
Olive Young's Korean membership and points scheme generally needs a Korean phone number, so most short-stay visitors cannot join it. That is fine: the in-store offers and the tax refund work without a membership. The Korean Olive Young app (in Korean) is still useful for checking current deals and whether a branch has a product in stock, if you are happy to use your phone's translation tools.
Olive Young also runs a separate global online shop in English that ships abroad. Its prices and range differ from the shops in Korea, so it is handy for reordering a favourite product after your trip.
Paying
Olive Young takes foreign Visa and Mastercard cards as well as cash in won, and many branches also accept the prepaid travel cards and mobile payment options popular with visitors. If your card asks whether to pay in won or your home currency, choose won to avoid a poor exchange rate. Our guide to cash, cards and payments in Korea covers the options.
Alternatives: Daiso and duty-free
- Daiso is a low-price household chain that now sells its own budget skincare lines and travel-size bottles. It is good for cheap basics and gifts, though the range of big-name brands is smaller.
- Duty-free shops in Seoul (in department stores) and at the airport are better for international luxury brands and big purchases. You usually need your passport and flight details, and some goods are collected at the airport.
- Brand shops run by individual Korean brands, many in Myeongdong, have the full range of one brand and their own promotions.
To plan how much to set aside for shopping, see our Korea travel budget guide.
FAQ
Is Olive Young cheaper in Korea than abroad?
Usually, yes, especially with 1+1 offers, sale periods and the instant tax refund. Prices on Olive Young's global online shop are different from in-store prices in Korea.
Can tourists get a tax refund at Olive Young?
Yes. Most branches in tourist areas give an instant refund at the till if you show your physical passport and spend over the minimum in one receipt. Check the current rules in the shop.
Which Olive Young is best for tourists?
The large Myeongdong branches are the most tourist-friendly, with multilingual staff and tax-free counters. The Gangnam flagship is a good alternative south of the river.
When is the Olive Young sale?
Big sales usually happen several times a year, often near the start of March, June, September and December, but dates change. Check Olive Young's official site or app before your trip.
Do I need a membership to shop at Olive Young?
No. In-store promotions and the tourist tax refund work without one, and the Korean membership generally needs a Korean phone number.
