The Complete Olive Young Korea Guide
Korea's #1 H&B store with 1,300+ locations nationwide. This guide covers the best flagship stores, must-buy brands, tax refund tips, and what's trending in 2026 — written for international visitors.
What is Olive Young?
Established in 1999 by CJ Group, Olive Young is South Korea's largest Health & Beauty retailer — the K-beauty equivalent of Sephora. With over 1,300 stores across Korea, it's the go-to destination for skincare, cosmetics, supplements, and lifestyle goods. For international visitors, Olive Young offers:
- Products cheaper than abroad (some 30–50% less than overseas prices)
- Exclusive Korea-only limited editions and store-only sets
- Instant VAT tax refund with passport at flagship stores
- Staff who speak basic English + English product labels on popular items
- Free samples with most purchases
Best Olive Young Flagship Stores for Tourists
Located at 5 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Olive Young Myeongdong Town is a massive flagship store that ranks first in sales to foreign tourists. Situated near Myeongdong Station, this 3-story s…
Located at 160 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Olive Young Hongdae is a flagship store specializing in trendy brands. Situated near Hongdae Entrance Station, it offers a wide selection of cosmetics, beaut…
Located at 396 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Olive Young Gangnam Town is a large flagship store specializing in premium brands and beauty devices. Situated near Gangnam Station, it offers an exten…
Olive Young Seongsu is a flagship store of the leading Korean H&B brand, located at 44-4 Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Situated near Seongsu Station, it is a major hotspot for the MZ generation…
Insider Shopping Tips
Top K-Beauty Brands to Buy at Olive Young
These brands are available at Olive Young and are significantly cheaper in Korea than in overseas markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best Olive Young to visit in Seoul?
The Myeongdong Town flagship is #1 for international tourists — 3 floors of K-beauty near Myeongdong Station. For a trendy experience, try Seongsu (MZ hotspot) or Hongdae.
Does Olive Young offer tax refunds for tourists?
Yes. Flagship stores participate in Korea's instant tax refund program. Show your passport at checkout — VAT refund on purchases over ₩30,000 (~$22). Refunds are processed on the spot.
What are the must-buy brands at Olive Young Korea?
Top international picks: TIRTIR (cushion), Round Lab (birch toner), Mediheal (sheet masks), Torriden (dive-in serum), Illiyoon (ceramide lotion), Papa Recipe (honey mask). These are cheaper in Korea than abroad.
Is Olive Young open every day?
Most stores open 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily. Myeongdong Town may extend to 11 PM on weekends. No reservation needed — just walk in.
Can I use a foreign credit card at Olive Young?
Yes. Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and UnionPay are accepted. Kakao Pay and Naver Pay work with linked cards. Some stores have Alipay terminals for Chinese visitors.
Browse all K-beauty brands, stores, and experiences in our full Korea guide
Explore Inner Korea →Guided Shopping Tours
Prefer a curated experience? A professional Olive Young Shopping Tour takes you through Myeongdong in 90 minutes — perfect for first-time visitors who want expert picks without the overwhelm.