Olive Young is Korea's biggest health and beauty store chain, and for many visitors it is the first shopping stop in Seoul. The easiest place to start is the Olive Young Myeongdong global store: it is open 10:00–22:30 every day, it has foreign-language help and a tax refund desk, and if you spend 15,000 won or more and show your physical passport, the VAT comes off right at the counter. Below is everything you need to know before you go, with official numbers as of October 2026.
Why everyone goes to Olive Young
Olive Young's own numbers show how popular it has become with visitors. According to the company's press release of 31 August 2026:
- Foreign customers spent over 1 trillion won in Olive Young's Korean stores by August 2026, three months faster than the year before.
- Foreigners now make up 33% of in-store sales, up from just 2% in 2022.
- Shoppers came from 192 countries (based on tax refund data). The top five were the USA, Singapore, Japan, China and Thailand.
- 151 stores are in "global tourist areas", more than 10% of all stores.
- Visitors said they went to 2.8 stores on average during their trip.
In short: you will not be the only tourist in the store, and staff in tourist areas are used to helping foreign shoppers.
The Myeongdong global store: the practical details
| Olive Young Myeongdong (global store) | |
|---|---|
| Address | 53, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul |
| Nearest station | Myeongdong Station (Line 4), exit 8, or Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (Line 2), exit 5 |
| Hours | 10:00–22:30, every day including weekends and holidays (as of Oct 2026; the store says hours can change) |
| Closed | No regular closing day listed |
| Tax refund | Instant refund at the counter from 15,000 won, passport required |
| Help for visitors | Foreign-language assistance, Global Service Lounge, tax refund (GTF) desk |
| Payment | Cards, plus simple payment such as WeChat Pay and Alipay |
| Best time to go | Right after opening (10:00) on a weekday; evenings and weekends are the busiest in Myeongdong |
Search "Olive Young Myeongdong" in Naver Map to walk there from your exit. Google Maps walking directions are limited in Korea; see our Naver Map vs Google Maps guide.
What's on each floor
| Floor | What you'll find |
|---|---|
| 1F | Skincare, sun care, sheet masks, "dermo" (dermatology-style) cosmetics, acne and blemish care, promotions, checkout |
| 2F | Makeup, "Luxe Edit", tools and brushes, nails, hair care, men's care, fragrance, bath and body, health care, food and drinks, Global Service Lounge, tax refund (GTF) desk, welcome gift for new members |
Tip: if you only have 20 minutes, stay on 1F for skincare and sunscreen, the categories visitors buy most (see below).
The instant tax refund at Olive Young, step by step
This is where you save money. The store's official FAQ (as of Oct 2026) says:
- Spend 15,000 won or more on one receipt.
- At the counter, say "Tax free, please" and hand over your physical passport. A photo of the passport is not enough.
- The refund is taken off the bill right away. The store says the refund is about 5–8% of the purchase amount.
- Limits: each receipt counts from 15,000 won up to 1,000,000 won, and instant refunds are capped at 5,000,000 won in total for your trip.
No passport with you? Or have you stayed in Korea for more than 6 months? Then you get a refund voucher instead and claim the money at the airport refund counter before you fly home.
Not refundable: sanitary products, shopping bags and dried fruit products.
How much do you actually save? (worked example)
Say you buy 4 items for a total of 60,000 won on one receipt. With a refund of 5–8%, you get roughly 3,000–4,800 won back at the counter. Spread over a week of shopping (for example 3 receipts like this), that's around 9,000–14,400 won, or about the price of a meal. Split purchases are fine as long as each receipt is 15,000 won or more.
For the full rules (other shops, airport refunds, what to keep), read our Korea tax refund guide.
What foreigners buy most at Olive Young
We don't rank products ourselves. Here is what Olive Young's own data (press release, 31 Aug 2026) says visitors buy:
| Category | What the data says |
|---|---|
| Skincare | The #1 category for foreign shoppers. "K-derma" (dermatology-style) skincare sales to foreigners grew about 78% |
| Makeup | #2 category |
| Hair care | #3 category; hair tonics and scalp ampoules are rising |
| Inner beauty (supplements, beauty foods) | Up 64% |
| Hand creams | Scented hand creams are popular small gifts |
Visitors bought about 6 items per receipt on average, and 35% spent 100,000 won or more in one go.
How to choose: look for shelf tags marked "best" or "ranking" in the store, read the ingredient list on the box, and ask staff for a tester. If you have sensitive skin, test on your inner arm first.
Membership, apps and sales
- Store points need a Korean phone number. The Myeongdong store says in-store point membership is for Korean residents with a phone number in their own name.
- Visitors: Olive Young says foreign customers can get member benefits by signing up for the Olive Young Global Mall (the user icon at the top right of the Global Mall site). Whether a Global Mall account gives you any in-store discount isn't clearly stated, so ask at the counter.
- New member gift: the Myeongdong store has a welcome gift area for new members on 2F. Ask staff what the current offer is.
- Olive Young Sale: Olive Young runs a big storewide sale "every time the season changes" (CJ Newsroom). Dates and discounts change each time, so check the Olive Young app or in-store posters before you plan around it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving your passport at the hotel. No passport means no instant refund; you'll have to do the airport refund instead.
- Small receipts. A 12,000 won receipt gets no refund. Combine items to reach 15,000 won.
- Opening refunded goods before departure. Keep tax-refunded goods unused until you leave Korea in case customs asks.
- Going at peak time. Myeongdong stores get very busy in the evening and at weekends. Go early.
- Expecting store points. Without a Korean phone number, you can't collect in-store points.
FAQ
Is Olive Young cheaper than duty free? It depends on the product and the current sale. Olive Young prices already include VAT, and you get part of it back with the instant refund. Compare the final price after refund.
Can I get the tax refund at every Olive Young? Many stores in tourist areas handle tax refunds, but this guide confirms the details only for the Myeongdong global store. At other branches, look for the Tax Free sign or ask before paying.
Do I need cash? No. Cards work, and the Myeongdong store also takes simple payment such as WeChat Pay and Alipay.
What if I have a problem with a purchase? Ask the staff at the store first. For general travel help in English, Chinese or Japanese, call the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline.
Is it open late? The Myeongdong global store is open until 22:30 every day (as of Oct 2026). Other branches have different hours, so check the store finder in the Olive Young app.
Final word
Bring your passport, keep each receipt at 15,000 won or more, and start at the Myeongdong global store right after 10:00. Skincare and sunscreen are on 1F, the tax refund desk and visitor lounge are on 2F. If you're also planning free sights nearby, see our list of free things to do in Seoul. Arriving soon? Our Incheon Airport tips cover SIM cards, money and getting into the city.