You already know Olive Young. But Daiso? That's the one international visitors are only just starting to figure out β and Seoul locals have been quietly shopping for years.
Products that cost β©15,000ββ©25,000 at Olive Young, available here for β©1,000ββ©5,000.
This guide covers two lists: the viral TikTok picks everyone comes for, and the Seoul local picks most visitors never find.
Why Myeongdong Daiso?
π’12 Floors
The entire building β one floor per category. Largest Daiso in Seoul.
πΈβ©1,000 = $0.73
Sheet mask β©1,000. Cleansing foam β©2,000. This price-to-quality ratio exists nowhere else.
π₯Brand Exclusives
VT, Son & Park, Too Cool for School β dedicated Daiso lines. Same formula, fraction of the price.
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π₯ The Viral TikTok Picks
What Everyone Comes For
The Item That Started Everything
VT Reedle Shot 100 / 300
The product responsible for the current Daiso beauty frenzy. Micro-needle technology delivers active ingredients deeper into the skin β the same formula sold at Olive Young, available here for a fraction of the price. The number (100/300) indicates concentration β first-timers start with 100. It sells out constantly. If you see it, pick it up immediately.
β©3,000 β β©5,000
β Sheet Masks
Mediheal Masks
β©1,500 β β©2,000 per sheet Β· Box sets β©8,000ββ©12,000
The brand you already know. Cheaper here than anywhere else. Buy in box sets β non-negotiable.
SNP Masks β Gold, Bird's Nest & more
β©1,000 per sheet
Wide variety of functional sheet masks at the lowest price point in Korea.
Leaders Masks
β©2,000 per sheet
Dermatology-collaboration brand. Premium feel at a non-premium price.
β Skincare Tools
Silicone Cleansing Brush
β©2,000 β β©3,000
One-tenth the price of identical products elsewhere. Genuinely useful.
Facial Roller (Jade / Rose Quartz) + Gua Sha
β©3,000 β β©5,000
Perfect as gifts. The price that makes every visitor do a double-take.
Eyelash Curler + Eyebrow Razor
β©1,000 β β©2,000
K-beauty essentials. The eyelash curler at β©1,000 is the single item that shocks every foreign visitor most.
β Color Makeup
Son & Park Color Balm
β©3,000 β β©5,000
Lip & cheek multi-use balm. Korean bestseller β locals queue for this.
Too Cool for School Shading / Cushion
β©3,000 β β©5,000
TikTok viral base and makeup line. Quality far exceeds the price point.
Shade note:
Foundation and cushion shades skew toward Korean skin tones (21 and 23). If these don't match your complexion, skip the base products β but lip, cheek, and tool items are universally wearable regardless of skin tone.
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π°π· Seoul Local's Picks
What Locals Actually Buy
The items below aren't on TikTok. They're what people who live in Seoul quietly put in their basket every time they're here.
πSkincare & Beauty
Madeca21 Teca Solution Soothing Mist Toner 200ml
β©5,000
Centella-based soothing mist toner. Perfect for post-laser calming or mid-day hydration. 200ml at β©5,000 is a price that doesn't exist outside Korea.
Medipeel Mooltox Glow Moisturizing Pad 2.0 β 50 sheets
β©5,000 Β· β©100 per sheet
10 types of hyaluronic acid. Face, neck, hands β use it anywhere. Seoul locals call it a "must-grab" without hesitation.
Dr.CPU+ Hydro Booster Ampoule 30ml
β©5,000
PDRN + Hyaluronic Acid in a syringe-style package. Popular as post-procedure home care after skin clinic treatments. Great souvenir too.
The Lab by Blanc Doux Clear Hyal Dewy Glow Booster Ampoule 30ml
β©5,000
Hyaluronic acid booster ampoule. Pairs with the same-line Dewy Glow Cream (50ml, β©5,000) β complete hydration routine for β©10,000 total.
Mommy Care Badasupo (Sea Grapes) Skin Pack
β©5,000
Sea grapes extract skin pack targeting pore care. Currently selling out regularly. Seoul locals say "I hope it's still in stock" every time they visit.
π¦±Hair
Re:noia Dry Shampoo Flower Garden 150ml
β©5,000
Waterless shampoo for days when washing isn't happening. Excellent scent, great oil absorption. Seoul locals buy two at a time. Essential for travel.
True.LAB Angeling Oil Essence 60ml
β©5,000
Apply to damp hair, blow dry, apply a little more β smooth hair all day. Comment sections full of people saying they keep one in their shower bag and one at home.
Winkgirl Hair No-Sebum Powder 5g
β©3,000
Apply between hair and scalp to absorb oil and add volume. Works as a dry shampoo alternative. The product Seoul office workers quietly rely on.
πFashion
High Waist Seamless Underwear
β©2,000
The single item that gets the biggest reaction from foreign visitors. β©2,000. Fits well, comfortable, multiple sizes. Perfect for picking up extra pairs mid-trip without luggage guilt.
π Life & Travel Essentials
Mist Spray Bottle 80ml
β©1,000
Decant your toner and spray it on β Seoul locals swear the mist application increases skin absorption. 80ml means carry-on compliant.
Tumbler Cleaning Tablets 10 pack
β©1,000
Drop one in your tumbler, watch it fizz clean. Over 142,000 sold. Useful souvenir that actually gets used.
Neck Warming Heat Pad
β©1,000
Wrap-around neck heat pad. Korean-made, lasts 5 hours at 42Β°C. Seoul locals say: "I shouldn't be telling you this, but β©1,000 and it lasts 5 hours."
Magic Bright All-Purpose Cleaner Wipes 70 sheets
β©2,000
Multi-surface cleaning wipes β skin, kitchen, office, car. 70 sheets for β©2,000. Useful throughout the hotel stay.
"Olive Young is where you buy what you already know. Daiso is where you discover what Seoul actually runs on."
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Shopping Tips
Before You Go
π Tax Refund β yes, it's available here
Myeongdong Daiso qualifies for immediate Tax Refund for foreign visitors. Spend β©15,000 or more, show your passport at the register, and pay the tax-free price on the spot. Bring your passport.
Payment
Credit card, debit card, cash, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay all accepted.
Weight Warning
Individual items are light. Collectively, a full basket gets heavy fast. Check your airline's luggage limit.
Location
Exit 6, Myeongdong Station (Line 4). The 12-floor building is directly in front of you.
Best Time
Weekday mornings are least crowded. Evenings and weekends get very busy.
β οΈ Carry-on Reminder
Liquids over 100ml cannot go in hand luggage regardless of container size.
Sheet masks are not classified as liquids β carry-on is fine.
Cleansing oils, creams, and ampoules over 100ml go in checked luggage. The 80ml spray bottle is intentionally under the limit.
