βOlive Young Best Products & Korean Shopping Guide β Must-Buys Before You Leave!β
Looking for the best things to buy in Korea? This Korean shopping guide highlights the best things to buy in Korea, from Daiso Korea shopping list to must-buy Korean products at Olive Young and local pharmacies. This Korean shopping guide will help you find the must-buy Korean products that travelers love! This Korean shopping guide covers must-buy Korean products from Daiso Korea, Olive Young, and local pharmaciesβall at unbeatable prices! There are certain Korean products that are significantly cheaper, better in quality, or simply unavailable abroad. Hereβs a list of must-buy Korean products that every traveler should consider before leaving Korea, ensuring you get the best deals and top-quality items.
β 1. Daiso Korea Shopping List β Best Things to Buy in Korea
““Why pay $10 for a laundry bag in the U.S. when you can get one for 1,000 KRW in Korea? This Korean shopping guide features must-buy Korean products, including Daiso Korea shopping list essentials!”“
Daiso Korea is a treasure trove of affordable, high-quality household and travel essentials. Some must-buy items include:
- Laundry mesh bags β Super affordable in Korea, surprisingly pricey abroad!
- Hair rollers & beauty tools β Puff sponges, makeup brushes, and more at unbeatable prices.
- Mini hand warmers β Perfect for winter and travel.
- Cute character-themed daily items β Chopsticks, socks, travel pouches, and more.
- “Name pens and planners β Perfect for bullet journaling and staying organized.”
- Water drop-shaped makeup sponges β A must-have! I buy them in bulk sets for better value.
Personal review: I live near the biggest Daiso in Busan, and every time I go, I grab a pack of these sponges. Theyβre ridiculously cheap and work wonders! Hereβs my trick: soak the sponge in water, wrap it in a towel, and press it underfoot to remove excess moisture evenly. Hand-squeezing leaves uneven wet spots, but this method makes it perfect for applying foundation with a flawless, dewy finish.
π“Check out what Daiso has to offer before visiting Korea!”
π 2. Olive Young Best Products & Shopping Guide
“Stock up on K-beauty essentials for a fraction of the price!”
Olive Young is the go-to store for skincare and beauty lovers. Their sales (March, June, September, and December) offer discounts of up to 70%, including special 1+1 deals and exclusive promotions.
Must-buy items:
- ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreenβ Hydrating and lightweight.
- Mediheal Sheet Masks β Korean skincare staple.
- ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Pad β Perfect for daily hydration.
- WELLAGE Real Hyaluronic Blue β Intense hydration boost.
- S.NATURE Aqua Squalane Moisturizing Cream β Lightweight, deep-moisturizing essence.
- Humidifier Mask β Soothing and protective for sensitive skin.
- Personal review: On a long-haul flight with my child, the dry cabin air was brutal. My nose felt like sandpaper, and my kid was struggling too. Thatβs when I pulled out the humidifier mask. Just pour a little clean water into the included zip bag, let the absorbent pads soak, gently squeeze out the excess, and place them inside the maskβs inner pockets. It was a game-changer! By the return flight, my kid asked for it before I could even offer it. If you have dry throat issues, especially during colds, this mask will save you.
- These are the products I regularly purchase during Olive Young’s sales events. There are many more great products available, so be sure to check their website for even more options!
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βOlive Young is on sale now! Check it out here π
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βCurious about any of these products? Leave a comment and ask your questions!β
π Relax and pamper yourself at Busanβs most famous spa!
π Visiting Haeundae Beach? Donβt forget your sunscreen!


β βThis product is not available on Olive Young Global. If you’re visiting Korea, make sure to grab it at a local Olive Young store!β
π 3. Must-Buy Korean Products from Local Pharmacies β Best Things to Buy in Korea
“Essential Korean health products you wonβt want to leave without!”
Korean pharmacies stock unique, effective remedies that are often much cheaper than their Western counterparts. Here are some must-buys:
(1)Ma Hyang Gam Seok Tang (λ§νκ°μν) β A traditional herbal remedy for colds & respiratory issues.
Personal review: I had a relentless cough that kept me awake for nights. Even after taking Western meds, nothing worked. Desperate, I went to the pharmacy, practically begging, “Please, I need something to stop this cough so I can sleep!” They handed me this. That night, I slept like a baby. Even my father, who has a smokerβs cough, was amazedβhe took one packet and asked, “What IS this magic? Get me more!” Finding this in Korea can be tricky, so if you need it, let me know where you’re staying, and Iβll help locate a pharmacy for you!

(2)Gal Geun Tang (κ°κ·Όν) β Effective for flu & body aches.
(3)Hwal Myung Su (κΉμ€νλͺ μ)β Korean digestive aid.
(4)Jung Ro Hwan(μ λ‘ν) β Herbal remedy for indigestion.
This stuff stinksβseriously, the black version smells awful. But it works! If you have food poisoning, diarrhea, or just an upset stomach after eating something funky, take this with a bottle of Gas Hwal Myung Su. Youβll feel brand new.

(5)Traditional Herbal Plasters (κ³ μ½) β Great for boils and inflammation.
Personal review: I get boils frequently, and this stuff is a lifesaver. Just a tipβheat the black paste slightly with a lighter, let it cool, then apply it. It sticks better that way! If it leaves residue, cleansing oil does the trick.
(6)ShinShin Liquid Pain Reliever (μ μ λ¬Όνμ€)
Besides being a great muscle relief solution, I also use this to remove permanent marker stains! Just rub it over the stain, and it disappears like magic. The smell? Wellβ¦ letβs just say itβs βfunctional.β

π 4. Affordable Eyeglasses in Korea β Must-Buy Korean Products
“Prescription glasses at a fraction of U.S. prices!”
If you wear glasses, getting a pair in Korea is a must. Opticians in Korea offer affordable, high-quality prescription glasses made within 30 minutes. Prices start from just 30,000 KRW (~$25), significantly cheaper than in the U.S.
Personal review: Before my LASIK surgery, I had severe astigmatism and was basically a regular at optical shops. Korean opticians? Super efficient. Iβd walk in, get my eyes tested, pick a frame, and boomβnew glasses in 30 minutes! The variety is amazing, the service is fast, and the prices are unbeatable. If you wear glasses, grab a couple of spares while youβre here!
If you need recommendations for optical shops in a specific area, feel free to leave a comment, and I’ll help you find one!
β¨ Final Tips
π Curious about unique aspects of Korean culture? Read Part 1 here!
- πΉ Take advantage of discount events (Olive Young sales, pharmacy promotions, etc.).
πΉ Donβt underestimate Daisoβs hidden gems β itβs more than just a dollar store!
πΉ Korean prescription glasses are incredibly affordable β get a spare pair before you leave!
Ready to shop smart in Korea? Donβt forget these must-buys before heading home!