By the Korea Vibe Hopper team · Updated October 29, 2026
For many visitors, a stop at Olive Young (올리브영) is as much a part of a Seoul trip as a palace or a night market. The health and beauty chain now sells more to foreign shoppers than ever: by its own count, foreign customers spent over ₩1 trillion in its stores in Korea by August 2026, three months sooner than in 2025. That popularity also means crowded aisles, long checkout lines and plenty of half-true advice online. This guide covers which stores are worth the trip, how the sales calendar works, how instant tax refunds are handled at the till, and what other travelers are actually putting in their baskets, with figures as of October 2026.
This is an independent travel guide. Korea Vibe Hopper is not affiliated with Olive Young or CJ Group, and no brand mentioned here paid to be included. Prices, store hours and promotions change often, so check in store or in the official app before you go.
Key takeaways
- The two big Myeongdong stores (Myeongdong Town and Central Myeongdong Town) have the widest range and multilingual staff. N Seongsu is the place for a skin check and a calmer browse.
- Both Myeongdong stores list hours of 10:00 to 22:30. N Seongsu is open 10:00 to 22:00 (as of October 2026).
- Instant tax refunds at the counter apply to receipts of ₩15,000 up to under ₩1,000,000, with a ₩5,000,000 limit per trip. Bring your physical passport.
- Olive Young runs big sales several times a year. The 2025 year-end "Awards" sale ran November 30 to December 6. The 2026 dates had not been announced as of October 29, 2026.
- The Korean CJ ONE membership needs Korean residency details, so most short-term visitors pay member-free prices. Watch instead for card, wallet and travel-app promotions.
Contents
- Why Olive Young is on so many itineraries
- Which store to visit
- How the sales calendar works
- What foreign shoppers are buying in 2026
- Checkout, tax refund and payment
- Returns, shipping and buying after your trip
- FAQ
- Sources
Why Olive Young is on so many itineraries
Olive Young is Korea's largest health and beauty store chain. You will find branches near almost every busy subway station, but the shops in tourist districts have become something closer to attractions. In an August 31, 2026 press release, the company said foreign offline sales passed ₩1 trillion in the first eight months of 2026, across 11.01 million purchases by shoppers from 192 countries. Foreign customers now account for about 33% of the chain's offline sales, up from roughly 2% in 2022, and visitors are increasingly shopping outside Seoul too.
 Myeongdong's shopping streets in June 2026. Photo: Izzatfikry99 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 |  Daytime crowds in Myeongdong. Photo: Theodore Nguyen / Pexels, Pexels License |  Shop signs stacked above a Myeongdong street. Photo: Theodore Nguyen / Pexels, Pexels License |
The same release gives a useful picture of how visitors shop. The average foreign customer buys about six items per visit, and around 35% spend more than ₩100,000 in a single transaction. The chain has designated 151 stores in tourist areas as "Global Tourism Commercial District" stores, with multilingual staff and signage, and since June 2026 some Seoul stores have an AI shopping assistant that works in eight languages. In a May 2026 survey, visitors said they went to 2.8 Olive Young stores per trip on average.
What that means for you
In practice, expect the busiest stores to be full from late afternoon into the evening, especially on weekends and during sale weeks. If you want space to compare products, go soon after opening at 10:00.
Which store to visit
Any branch will stock the best sellers, but the flagship-style stores in Myeongdong (명동) and Seongsu (성수) carry far more brands and are set up for foreign visitors. If you have not booked a hotel yet, our guide to Seoul neighborhoods explains why Myeongdong is such a convenient base for shopping.
| Store | Location | Hours (as of Oct 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olive Young Myeongdong Town | 53 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu | 10:00–22:30 | Classic flagship; GTF tax refund desk on 2F |
| Olive Young Central Myeongdong Town | M Plaza B1–3F, 27 Myeongdong 8-gil; about 5 minutes from Myeongdong Station (Line 4) Exit 6 | 10:00–22:30 (entry closes 10 minutes before) | Largest range in the area: 1,000+ brands, about 15,000 products, 800+ sheet masks |
| Olive Young N Seongsu | 13 Yeonmujang 7-gil, Seongdong-gu; about 100 m from Seongsu Station (Line 2) Exit 4 | 10:00–22:00 | Skin Fit Studio skin checks; trend-led displays |
| Olive Better Gwanghwamun | Gwanghwamun area, central Seoul | Check the app | Wellness and inner-beauty products rather than makeup |
Myeongdong Town and Central Myeongdong Town
Central Myeongdong Town opened on March 26, 2026 as the chain's second-largest store in Korea. Local reporting at the opening described more than 1,000 brands, around 15,000 products, an 800-plus item sheet mask section and 22 checkout counters. Staff wear badges showing the languages they speak. The older Myeongdong Town store is a short walk away and has a GTF tax refund desk on its second floor.
N Seongsu
N Seongsu opened in November 2024 in the Seongsu-dong area, known for converted warehouses, cafés and pop-up stores. CJ's newsroom reported that foreign customers made up about 70% of its sales in early 2025. Its Skin Fit Studio offers a skin check, with same-day booking opening at 11 a.m. If a skin check gives you ideas about treatments, our Seoul skin clinic guide for tourists explains how clinic visits work for visitors.
 Seongsu-dong, the area around Olive Young N Seongsu (June 2026). Photo: Qhairy / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 |  Brand pop-up spaces in old brick buildings are typical of Seongsu (May 2026). Photo: Aspere / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 |  Large beauty stores group products by category and brand. Photo: Natalia S / Pexels, Pexels License |
Olive Better Gwanghwamun
Olive Better is the company's wellness-focused store brand. Its first branch opened near Gwanghwamun on January 30, 2026. According to The Korea Herald, the foreign share of its sales rose from 7% in its first week to nearly 50% by late April 2026. It is worth a stop if teas, supplements and "inner beauty" products interest you more than makeup.
 Testers and lit displays make swatching easy. Photo: Matheus Bertelli / Pexels, Pexels License |  Going soon after opening gives you room to compare products. Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels, Pexels License |  Bags add up quickly, and in-store bags are not free. Photo: Tim Douglas / Pexels, Pexels License |
How the sales calendar works
Olive Young's big discount events are known in Korean as Olyoung Sale (올영세일). Shopping guides for visitors describe them as roughly quarterly, with exact dates usually confirmed only a few days before they begin. During a sale, many products get deeper discounts and "1+1" or bonus-size sets, and stores get noticeably busier.
| Event | Confirmed past dates | 2026 status (as of Oct 29, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Year-end Olive Young Awards and sale | November 30 – December 6, 2025 | Not yet announced |
| Regular seasonal Olyoung Sale | Several times a year | Watch the official app and Olive Young social channels |
The 2025 Awards picked 166 products across 40 categories based on purchase data, and award winners were offered at special prices during that week. If the same pattern holds, a similar event could arrive in early December 2026, but treat that as a pattern, not a promise. We will update this post when dates are confirmed.
Is it worth timing your trip around a sale?
Probably not on its own. Discounts are real but vary by product, and stores are at their busiest during sale weeks. If your dates happen to overlap, use it. If not, the everyday "1+1" and set deals still make Olive Young one of the better-value places to buy Korean beauty products.
What foreign shoppers are buying in 2026
The August 2026 release broke down where foreign spending was growing fastest. These are trends, not recommendations, and the right product depends on your own skin.
Sheet masks and K-derma skincare
Sheet masks remain the easiest souvenir: light, cheap per piece and easy to share. Foreign purchases of "K-derma" products, the dermatology-inspired skincare lines, grew 78% year on year. Many are built around soothing ingredients such as centella or panthenol.
 Sheet masks are light, cheap per piece and easy to share. Photo: Polina ⠀ / Pexels, Pexels License |  Sheet masks are a popular souvenir for everyone. Photo: Monstera Production / Pexels, Pexels License |  Black sheet masks are another common option. Photo: Engin_Akyurt / Pixabay, Pixabay Content License |
Sunscreen, serums and moisturizers
Korean sunscreens are a staple of most baskets. If you live in the US, read our Korean sunscreen and bemotrizinol guide first, since US filter rules differ from Korea's. Serums and ampoules are the other big category, and they are often sold in discounted double packs.
 BB creams and sunscreens are staples of many baskets. Photo: Denys Mikhalevych / Pexels, Pexels License |  Serums and ampoules are often sold in discounted double packs. Photo: Pexels User (Flerko) / Pexels, Pexels License |  Moisturizers and lotions in pump bottles. Photo: AdoreBeautyNZ / Pixabay, Pixabay Content License |
Makeup
Cushion compacts, lip tints and brow products are popular because Korean shade ranges and finishes differ from what many visitors find at home. Testers are out on most shelves, so swatch before you buy.
 Makeup is the second most popular category with foreign shoppers. Photo: binitagothe / WordPress Photo Directory, CC0 |  Base makeup such as cushions and compacts comes in Korean shade ranges. Photo: DS stories / Pexels, Pexels License |  Brushes and tools are easy add-ons. Photo: Makarand Mane / WordPress Photo Directory, CC0 |
Hair care, inner beauty and hand cream
Some of the strongest growth came from outside skincare. Foreign shoppers account for about 18% of all hair care sales, but 28% of hair tonics and ampoules, with scalp and hair-loss care from brands such as LABO-H and LILLYVE in demand. Foreign sales of inner-beauty products, such as drinkable lemon shots, pumpkin tea and collagen, grew 64%. Hand care also stood out: foreign customers accounted for 40% of the category's sales, with perfumed hand creams from BEYOND, HETRAS and W.DRESSROOM among the favorites.
 Hair care is now the third most popular category for foreign shoppers. Photo: Doğu Tuncer / Pexels, Pexels License |  Inner-beauty products such as gummies and collagen are growing fast. Photo: Supplements On Demand / Pexels, Pexels License |  Perfumed hand creams are a favorite travel gift. Photo: Jessica Keli Alves / Pexels, Pexels License |
Two cautions apply. Supplements and ingestible "beauty" products are not medicines, and some countries restrict what you can bring in, so check your home country's customs rules. And if you are pregnant, take medication or have a health condition, ask a doctor or pharmacist before trying a new supplement.
Checkout, tax refund and payment
Olive Young's tourist-area stores offer an immediate tax refund at the counter, so you pay the discounted price on the spot instead of claiming it back at the airport. Our Korea tax refund shopping guide covers the national rules in detail. Here is how a typical checkout goes.
- Pick up a basket near the entrance. In the big stores, shopping by category saves time: skincare first, then makeup, then hair and body.
- Check your total. An immediate refund applies to a receipt of at least ₩15,000 and under ₩1,000,000. Very large purchases may need a separate receipt or an airport refund.
- Join the line marked for tax-free or foreign customers if the store has one, and hand over your physical passport. Photos and copies are generally not accepted.
- Pay by card, cash or a supported mobile wallet. The tax refund amount is taken off at the till.
- Keep your receipt. Customs can ask to see your purchases when you leave Korea, so pack them where you can reach them.
- Pack liquids over 100 ml in checked luggage, since most international flights limit liquids in hand baggage.
Limits to know
As of October 2026, the Myeongdong Town store page lists instant refunds of ₩15,000 to under ₩1,000,000 per receipt and ₩5,000,000 in total per trip. The refund is a share of the VAT, not the full 10%, and it varies by amount. Treat any figure as an estimate rather than financial advice.
Payment promotions
Because the CJ ONE membership needs Korean residency details, most visitors cannot use member prices. Olive Young has instead run time-limited deals with payment and travel partners. In February 2026, for example, it announced discounts for UnionPay, Alipay and WeChat Pay users, a WOWPASS card offer and Trip.com coupons at selected stores. Those promotions have ended, but similar ones return regularly, so ask at the counter. Mobile gift cards are also sold through Klook.
Returns, shipping and buying after your trip
According to the Myeongdong Town store page, exchanges and refunds are accepted within 15 days for unopened products with the receipt. Shopping bags are not free, so carrying a foldable bag helps. Once you are home, the Olive Young Global online mall ships from Korea to more than 60 countries. Free shipping usually starts around US$60, with lower thresholds in some markets. The United States is not on the shipping list as of October 2026, after Olive Young opened its first US stores in 2026.
A simple plan for one visit
Make a short list before you go, set a budget, visit soon after opening, and do one sweep of the store before buying. That keeps the six-item average from quietly turning into twenty. If you still need a SIM card or T-money card for getting around, see the related posts below.
FAQ
Do I need my passport to shop at Olive Young?
Only for the tax refund. You can shop without it, but an immediate refund needs your physical passport.
Can tourists join Olive Young membership?
The Korean CJ ONE membership needs Korean residency details, so most short-term visitors cannot join. Look out for card, wallet and travel-app promotions instead.
When is the next Olive Young sale?
As of October 29, 2026, the year-end sale dates had not been announced. In 2025, the Awards sale ran from November 30 to December 6.
Is Olive Young cheaper than duty-free?
It depends on the product. Olive Young is strongest for Korean drugstore brands and sale sets, while duty-free shops focus more on premium and international brands.
What time is least crowded?
Weekday mornings just after 10:00 are usually the quietest. Evenings and sale weeks are the busiest.
Final thoughts
Olive Young is worth a visit even if you are not a skincare fan, if only to see how Korea shops for beauty and wellness. Choose a Myeongdong store for range, N Seongsu for a calmer browse and a skin check, and Olive Better if you care more about wellness. Bring your passport for the tax refund, keep an eye on sale announcements, and buy for your own skin rather than for the trend charts. This guide is general information, not medical or financial advice.
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- Korea in November: weather and packing guide
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Sources
- CJ Olive Young newsroom: foreign offline sales pass ₩1 trillion (August 31, 2026)
- The Asia Business Daily: Central Myeongdong Town opens (March 26, 2026)
- Olive Young Myeongdong Town official store guide
- Olive Young: Central Myeongdong Town store information (Korean)
- Olive Young: N Seongsu store information (Korean)
- CJ Newsroom: how Olive Young N Seongsu draws global shoppers
- The Korea Herald: foreign sales jump at Olive Better (May 2026)
- CJ Olive Young newsroom: 2025 Olive Young Awards and sale (Korean)
- Yonhap News: 2025 Awards sale through December 6 (Korean, November 28, 2025)
- CJ Olive Young newsroom: foreign visitor payment promotions (Korean, February 2026)
- Olive Young Global: shipping information
- LACHA: Olive Young shopping tips for foreigners