Olive Young in Korea 2026: Tax Refunds, What to Buy and Which Store to Visit
This guide contains affiliate links to Trip.com. If you book through them, Korea Local Guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what is recommended or the order of the route.
Walk down any busy street in Seoul and you will pass an Olive Young within ten minutes. It is Korea’s biggest health and beauty chain, a bright store full of skincare, makeup, vitamins and snacks.
For Koreans it is where you grab sunscreen on the way to work. For visitors it has become a stop on every itinerary, and the Myeongdong stores now have queues at the counter.
This guide covers Olive Young in Korea from a local point of view: how the tax refund actually works, what people buy, which store to pick and how to avoid the worst of the crowds.
Checked on October 29, 2026. Tax refund rules come from the Olive Young Myeongdong Town English page. Rules can change, so ask at the counter before you pay.
How the Olive Young tax refund works
Many Olive Young stores in tourist areas are tax refund shops. At those stores, the refund comes off at the counter. You do not need to visit the airport.
The rules on the Myeongdong Town flagship page are simple. You need your physical passport, because the counter scans its machine-readable strip. A photo on your phone will not work. Each receipt has to be at least 15,000 won. The store’s own page says you get back about 5 to 8% of the price. Some guides quote 10%, which is the full VAT, but the store figure is what you can expect in your hand.
If you forget your passport, ask for a refund receipt and claim it at the airport refund counter before you fly. Our Korea tax refund guide explains the airport side.
One more thing: if you stay in Korea more than six months, you are not eligible.
What visitors usually buy
Sunscreen is the best-seller with visitors. Korean sunscreens are light and cheap compared with many other countries. Remember the 100 ml limit for liquids in your carry-on.
Sheet masks come in packs and make easy gifts. Toner pads are a Korean habit that is hard to copy abroad. Lip tints are small and cheap enough to buy in several colors.
Look for the yellow and red tags. 1+1 means buy one, get one free. 2+1 means three for the price of two. These deals change every few weeks.
Olive Young also runs big sales several times a year, often in March, June, September and December. Check the app or ask at the counter. During sale weeks, the stores are busier than ever.
Which store to visit
The Myeongdong Town flagship is the one most visitors know. It has the biggest range and English-speaking staff, and it is set up for tax refunds. It also has the longest queues. Go right after opening on a weekday.
The Gangnam flagship is large and easier to reach if you stay south of the river. Small neighborhood stores carry the core products and are much quieter. If you only need sunscreen and masks, the store next to your hotel is fine.
Search “Olive Young” on Naver Map or KakaoMap to find the nearest store and its hours. Opening hours vary by branch. Google Maps does not give full directions in Korea; our Naver Map in English guide explains why. Both apps need data, so set up a Korea eSIM before you land.
How to pay
Olive Young takes foreign cards. Most stores also take Korean mobile payments. Some visitors use a prepaid travel card such as WOWPASS, which you top up in won and can also use as a T-money card.
If you want to give Olive Young as a gift, or set a shopping budget before you arrive, Trip.com sells an Olive Young e-gift card that is valid in Korea.
Shopping tips from someone who lives here
Go early. The flagship stores are calm in the first hour and packed by mid-afternoon.
Use the testers. Every shelf has them. Staff will not mind.
Read the ingredient list. The Olive Young app and product pages list ingredients. If you have sensitive skin, check before you buy, not after.
Do not buy everything on day one. Prices are similar across branches, so shop near the end of your trip and carry less.
Bring a foldable bag. Bags at the counter cost a little extra.
Packing it home
Liquids over 100 ml go in checked luggage. Wrap glass bottles in clothes. Sheet masks and pads are light, but the boxes add up, so remove outer cardboard if space is tight.
If your hotel is near Myeongdong, our Myeongdong street food guide is a good next stop.
Checklist
- Bring your physical passport to the store
- Spend at least 15,000 won on one receipt for the refund
- Check 1+1 and 2+1 tags before you pick
- Keep liquids over 100 ml for your checked bag
- Shop near the end of your trip
FAQ
Does Olive Young give tax refunds to tourists?
Yes, at tax refund stores. Show your physical passport and spend at least 15,000 won on one receipt.
How much is the Olive Young tax refund?
The Myeongdong Town flagship says about 5 to 8% of the purchase price.
Can I get the refund without my passport?
Not at the counter. Ask for a refund receipt and claim it at the airport.
Which Olive Young is best in Seoul?
The Myeongdong Town flagship has the biggest range and English help. A neighborhood store is quieter for quick buys.
Is Olive Young cheaper during sales?
Yes, there are several big sales a year, and 1+1 deals run all year.
The short version
Bring your passport, shop at a tax refund store, and the 5 to 8% refund comes off at the counter. Go early, use the testers, look for 1+1 tags, and keep big liquids for your checked bag. For the airport side of refunds, read our Korea tax refund guide.
