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Shopping in Seoul as a Visitor: Olive Young, Musinsa Standard, Daiso and How Tax Refunds Work

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AI-generated reusable bag holding a folded shirt and unbranded skincare items on a table, with a white handwritten note.

AT A GLANCE

Where
Olive Young (beauty), Musinsa Standard (basics), Daiso (low-price goods)
Areas
Myeongdong, Hongdae, Seongsu
Tax refund
Available at tax-free stores; minimums and limits vary, so ask at the shop
Bring
Your passport (needed for tax-free purchases)
Daiso Myeongdong Station
10 am–10 pm, 12 floors, tax-refund shop

Visitors to Korea increasingly shop at everyday chain stores, not just duty-free shops. Olive Young for skincare and makeup, Musinsa Standard for basic clothing and Daiso for low-price goods are three popular stops. This guide covers what each one is, where to find it, and how tax refunds work. Checked on 2026-10-12.

The hero image is AI-generated and does not show real purchases or products.

Olive Young: beauty and health

Olive Young is a Korean health and beauty retailer selling skincare, makeup and daily-care products. In an August 31, 2026 announcement, its parent company said foreign shoppers’ purchases at its Korean offline stores had passed ₩1 trillion by August, three months earlier than in 2025 (CJ announcement, in Korean). That is a company-reported figure for its own stores.

Tax-free service is available at its stores. Guides describe two ways: the shop takes the tax off at checkout, or you pay in full and claim the tax back at the airport. Ask at the checkout which applies in that branch.

Musinsa Standard: everyday clothing

Musinsa is a Korean fashion platform, and Musinsa Standard is its basics line with stores in Hongdae, Gangnam, Seongsu and Myeongdong. Reports from 2024 said tax-free purchases made up 45% of sales at the Myeongdong store in one month, 29.1% at the Hongdae store and a rising share at Seongsu (Etoday, in Korean). Those are 2024 figures, so treat them as a sign of interest, not today’s numbers. For beauty at Musinsa, see Musinsa Beauty in Hongdae.

Daiso: low-price goods

Daiso sells household items, stationery, small gifts and more at fixed low prices. Its Myeongdong Station branch is open 10 am–10 pm, spans about 12 floors and 1,653 m², and is listed as a tax-refund shop (Korea Tourism Organization listing). For prices and what to buy, see our Daiso guide.

Where to go

  • Myeongdong: A central shopping district. Reports describe tax-free participation there as very high, so many shops can process refunds.
  • Hongdae: The area around Hongik University, with shops and nightlife.
  • Seongsu: A district of former factories turned cafes, shops and pop-ups.

You do not need all three. Pick the area that fits your day’s route.

How tax refunds work

These points follow guide sites. Rules and limits change, so confirm at the shop and with the Korea Customs Service.

  • Two methods: An immediate refund at the shop, or a refund claimed at the airport on departure.
  • Minimum purchase: Sources differ. Many stores use ₩15,000 per transaction, and some set ₩30,000.
  • Immediate refund limits: One guide says a single purchase should be under ₩1 million, with the total under ₩5 million. Ask the store, because the limits can differ by method.
  • Who qualifies: Short-stay foreign visitors. People who live in Korea on residence, student or work visas are generally not eligible, so check your own status.
  • Bring your passport for every tax-free purchase.

Ask before you pay. Say “tax free, please” at the register and ask how the refund is paid out. Keep the receipt and the goods unopened if you will claim at the airport.

Good for / not for

Good for

  • First-time visitors who want practical stops beyond duty-free
  • Anyone planning a short shopping walk in Myeongdong, Hongdae or Seongsu

Not for

  • Residents of Korea looking for a refund. Long-term visa holders are generally not eligible.

FAQ

Do I need a passport? Yes, for tax-free purchases.

Is there a minimum purchase? Sources differ (₩15,000 or ₩30,000 per transaction). Ask at the store.

Are the stores open late? The Daiso Myeongdong Station branch is listed as open until 10 pm. Check each store’s own hours.

Sources

Checked on 2026-10-12. Refund rules, limits and store hours can change. Tax-refund details come from guide sites, not an official page, so confirm before you buy.