The Holy Grail of Korean Cosmetics! The Complete Daiso vs. Olive Young Guide

💄 Affordable and high quality! Experience Korea's unique value-for-money culture

🇰🇷 A Must for Your Trip to Korea! The New Standard in Cosmetics Shopping

One of the best parts of traveling in Korea is, of course, shopping for cosmetics!

But when you're walking around Myeongdong or Hongdae, there are so many cosmetics shops that it can be hard to decide where to shop.

This time, we'll take an in-depth look at the two major spots for getting Korean cosmetics smartly and affordably: “Korean Daiso” and “Olive Young”✨

Both are extremely popular shopping destinations in Korea, but each has its own unique features, so it's best to choose between them depending on your purpose.

💰 What You Need to Know First! What Is Korea's “Value-for-Money Culture”?

If you're shopping in Korea, one word you absolutely need to know is “gasŏngbi (가성비).”

It is short for “가격 대비 성능 (performance relative to price),” in other words, value for money!

“안 싸면 안 사”

(An ssamyeon an sa)

Meaning: If it's not cheap, I won't buy it

As this phrase suggests, in Korea, the culture of “buying good products wisely and affordably” is deeply rooted in everyday life.

That's why so many appealing Korean cosmetics are both high quality and affordable🌟

This value-for-money spirit is particularly strong in the cosmetics industry, where major and emerging brands alike compete to offer more value than their prices would suggest.

🛒 Korean Daiso (다이소): Completely Different from Japan! A Beauty Mecca

“Wait, cosmetics at Daiso?” If that's what you're thinking, hold on!

Korean Daiso is a completely separate company from Japan's Daiso.

In Korea, it is known as a “beauty mecca” and is especially popular among the MZ generation (Millennials + Gen Z)💕

✨ Why Korean Daiso Is So Popular

Why has Korean Daiso attracted so much attention?

Because it offers a wide selection of “Daiso-exclusive items” from well-known brands!

Major Korean cosmetics manufacturers such as Amorepacific and LG Household & Health Care are even developing products specifically for Daiso.

The Myeongdong store in particular has an entire floor dedicated to cosmetics, and its selection is truly impressive✨

🔥 Popular Items You Absolutely Need to Check Out

💉 VT Reedle Shot 100

A huge hit as the buzzworthy “美容針 you apply to your skin”! Its fine needle-like ingredients penetrate the skin to help care for pores and smooth skin texture. The size is smaller than the original, making it perfect for trying out.

💄 Son & Park Color Balm

A versatile 3-in-1 product that can be used as a lip color, blush, or eyeshadow. It gives you a natural flush and is incredibly convenient to keep in your pouch!

🧴 Boncept Retinol Series

A gentle retinol line supervised by TONYMOLY. With a formula that's easy for retinol beginners to use, it's recommended for anyone looking to start an anti-aging routine.

😊 CERABASE Masks

Highly moisturizing at this price! Perfect both as small gifts to hand out and for your own daily care.

📍 Recommended Stores

Korean Daiso stores can be found nationwide, but the following locations are especially recommended for tourists.

Myeongdong Store: Extremely convenient to access, with a well-stocked cosmetics floor. However, popular items often sell out, so early morning is the best time to visit.

Hongdae Store: True to its youthful neighborhood, it offers plenty of trendy items. You may be able to find less crowded times to shop.

🌿 Olive Young (올리브영): One of Korea's Largest Beauty Stores

Olive Young is one of Korea's largest drugstore and cosmetics chains, with more than approximately 1,300 stores nationwide.

Loved by both tourists and locals, it is a hub for the latest in K-beauty🌟

The major difference from Daiso is its broader range of brands and the opportunity to enjoy a more authentic K-beauty experience.

Another appeal is that you can be among the first to check out new cosmetics and trending products.

💎 An Excellent Value-for-Money Brand Lineup

💧 Torriden

Its hyaluronic acid serum is hugely popular! With a simple formula designed for sensitive skin, it has become a staple Korean skincare brand.

🌱 Anua

It became an overnight sensation with its heartleaf toner. Known for its highly soothing effects, it has earned tremendous support from people struggling with acne and redness.

💋 rom&nd

The balance between pigmentation and price is next-level! Its tints and eyeshadow palettes are must-have items for Korean makeup.

🎨 Peripera

A staple tint beloved by Gen Z. Its cute packaging and wide range of colors are major attractions.

✨ Biodance

Currently creating a huge buzz with its 3-hour mask! This mask is designed to absorb slowly and thoroughly, leaving your skin wonderfully plump the next morning.

🎁 Benefits Unique to Olive Young

Olive Young offers many perks that Daiso does not.

Regular sales can bring significant discounts!

Tax refund services are available, allowing you to save even more💰

Some stores also provide plenty of testers, which is great because you can try products before purchasing them.

Some locations have Japanese-speaking staff, so even those who are not confident in Korean can enjoy shopping with peace of mind.

🎯 Save Even More! Smart Shopping Tips

⏰ Choose the Right Timing

Olive Young holds large-scale sales regularly.

In particular, don't miss the 1+1 (buy one, get one free) promotions!

Download the official app to check sale information as soon as it becomes available📱

📍 Tips for Choosing a Store

At Korean Daiso, stores in tourist areas such as Myeongdong and Hongdae have a wide selection, but popular products tend to sell out quickly.

It's a good idea to visit right after opening or venture out to a store in a local neighborhood a little farther away.

Olive Young has a large number of stores, so checking the location near your hotel in advance is an efficient way to shop!

💡 If You Find It, Buy It Immediately

With popular Korean Daiso products in particular, the golden rule is to buy them without hesitation when you find them.

If you think, “I'll get it next time,” it may be sold out by the time you return😭

Pick up any items that catch your eye right away!

🤔 So Where Should You Shop? A Guide to Using Both

🛍️ Korean Daiso Is Recommended for People Who:

✓ Want to try lots of different things as cheaply as possible

✓ Are looking for gifts to hand out

✓ Want to try popular items in trial sizes

✓ Want unique products found only in Korea

🌟 Olive Young Is Recommended for People Who:

✓ Want to experience authentic K-beauty

✓ Want to check out the latest trend items

✓ Want to try products with testers before purchasing

✓ Want to use tax refund services (Daiso is not eligible)

✓ Want to build a complete skincare routine from one line

👜 An Ideal Way to Use Both

In fact, the smartest approach is to combine both effectively!

For example…

At Korean Daiso: Buy trial items and consumables such as Reedle Shot and masks

At Olive Young: Buy must-have items you want to choose carefully, such as Torriden serums and rom&nd tints

By using each store this way, you can enjoy the best possible shopping experience within your budget✨

🆕 The Latest Trend: Have You Heard of “Odammu (올다무)”?

Recently, the term “Odammu (올다무)” has been trending among young people in Korea.

It is a coined word made from the first syllables of “Olive Young, Daiso, and Musinsa (a Korean fashion shopping site),” and visiting all three has become a standard Korean shopping route!

Check cosmetics at Olive Young and Daiso, and fashion at Musinsa.

This route lets you efficiently stay on top of Korean trends, so why not try it on your next trip to Korea?💫

✨ Summary: Enjoy Korean Cosmetics Shopping 100 Times More

Korean Daiso and Olive Young each have their own appeal, and both are essential destinations for Korean cosmetics shopping.

For affordable and casual shopping, choose Korean Daiso; for an authentic K-beauty experience, choose Olive Young.

By using both strategically, you're sure to enjoy the ultimate shopping experience within your limited budget and time🛒

Embrace the value-for-money spirit and shop for Korean cosmetics smartly and enjoyably!

We hope you find your perfect dream cosmetic💕

On your next trip to Korea, be sure to use this article as a reference to find your favorite cosmetics.

Have a wonderful Korean cosmetics journey!✨

Yeppuriko connects you with Korea, bringing together trends and moments of excitement.