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Daiso Korea Guide: ₩500–₩5,000 Price Tiers, the Myeongdong Branch and Bag-Charm Shopping Tips

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AI-generated green dinosaur car charm on a dark canvas bag, with a small white heart and the handwritten words small things, little joy.

AT A GLANCE

Price tiers
₩500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 3,000 and 5,000 (per press reports)
Most common price
About 51% of items cost ₩1,000; about 80% cost ₩2,000 or less
Myeongdong Station branch
10 am–10 pm, about 12 floors (1,653 m²), tax-refund shop
Check stock
Daiso Mall (daisomall.co.kr); stock differs by branch

Daiso is a Korean chain that sells household goods, stationery, beauty items and small gifts at fixed low prices. Most items cost between ₩500 and ₩5,000, and bag charms, called keyrings in Korean, are an easy way to enjoy it. This guide explains the price tiers, what sells well, the big Myeongdong branch and how to check stock before you go. Checked on 2026-10-12.

The hero image is AI-generated and is not a photo of a real bag or an exact Daiso product.

How Daiso’s prices work

According to press reports, Daiso sells everything in six price tiers: ₩500, ₩1,000, ₩1,500, ₩2,000, ₩3,000 and ₩5,000. Of its roughly 30,000 items, about 51% cost ₩1,000, and the share rises to about 80% for items at ₩2,000 or less (Newneek, in Korean). Prices can change, so check the current label or listing.

What sells best

Beauty has become the chain’s biggest growth category. Reports say cosmetics were the top seller at the Myeongdong and second Hongdae branches, and that foreign tourists spent about three times as much per purchase as Korean customers (i-Boss, in Korean). Daiso’s cosmetics sales were reported up 144% in one year, with about 60 beauty brands and 500 products by the end of last year. These are press figures and may be dated.

The Myeongdong Station branch

The Myeongdong Station branch is open 10 am–10 pm and spans about 12 floors and 1,653 m². It is listed as a tax-refund shop (Korea Tourism Organization). If you are planning a Seoul shopping walk, see Shopping in Seoul as a Visitor for tax-refund basics.

Bag charms and baek-kku

Decorating a bag with charms is called baek-kku (백꾸), short for “bag decorating.” Charms, small dolls and mini accessories are cheap ways to personalize a bag. Some people also use bag charms to carry photocards: small collectible portrait cards, often of musicians.

How to shop smart

  • Check stock first. Use Daiso Mall to look up the product name, price and availability. Stock differs by branch, so do not make a special trip on the assumption that one store has an item.
  • Match the product number. Look-alike charms can have different parts or features, so compare the name and photo before buying.
  • Mind the weight. Several charms on one bag can make it noticeably heavier.
  • Small prices add up. A few ₩1,000 items are easy to pick up. Decide on a budget before you go.
  • Visiting from abroad? Bring your passport if you want to use tax refund.

Good for / not for

Good for

  • Anyone who wants cheap bag charms, stationery or small gifts
  • Visitors who want a budget stop in Myeongdong

Not for

  • Anyone who needs a specific item guaranteed. Stock varies by branch and by day.

FAQ

How much do things cost? Most items fall in six price tiers from ₩500 to ₩5,000, according to press reports.

Can I check stock online? Daiso Mall shows product pages and availability. Stock still differs by branch.

Is there tax refund? The Myeongdong Station branch is listed as a tax-refund shop. Bring your passport.

Sources

Checked on 2026-10-12. Prices, product lines and store hours can change. Press figures are from earlier reports.