The best Olive Young sale is the big seasonal one in early March, June, September and December, and the best time to shop is a weekday morning at a flagship store. This guide covers when the discounts land, when the crowds hit, and which branch to pick. For product picks, see What to Buy at Olive Young.
I live in Seoul and shop at Olive Young most weeks, usually at the Coex branch. Sale dates and store details checked September 2026.
Quick answer
- The big Olive Young sale runs four times a year, about 7 days each, around the start of March, June, September and December
- Olive Young Day is a smaller sale on the 25th to 27th of every month
- 1+1 and 2+1 bundle deals run all year
- Go on a weekday morning; Myeongdong evenings are the most crowded
- Myeongdong is best for tourist services, Seongsu for space to browse
Olive Young sale calendar for 2026
The big sale, called Olyoung Sale, runs in stores and online at the same time. Popular items sell out partway through the week, so the first few days are the best.
| Sale | 2026 dates |
|---|---|
| Spring | March 1–7 |
| Summer | May 31–June 6 |
| Fall | August 30–September 5 |
| Winter | Expected around November 30–December 6 (not yet announced) |
Olive Young usually confirms the exact dates only a few days before each Olive Young sale opens. If you’re booking flights around one, aim for the turn of the month and check the announcement before you fly.
People really do plan trips around these weeks. Olive Young and refund operator Global Tax Free reported that in 2025, more than 6,200 foreign visitors entered Korea three or more times to shop the sales.
Olive Young Day
Between the big sales, there’s a smaller event from the 25th to the 27th of every month. The discounts are shallower, but if your trip misses a big sale, these three days are the next best window.
Deals that run all year
1+1 (buy one, get one) and 2+1 tags show up every week, not only during an Olive Young sale. And the tax refund is calculated on the discounted price, so a sale and the refund stack.
Best time to visit Olive Young
- Weekday mornings: the calmest time at any flagship
- Late afternoon to evening: the busiest time in Myeongdong, when checkout lines can pass 45 minutes and viral items are often gone
- First day of a big sale: expect crowds everywhere, so go right after opening
- Weekends in Seongsu: the whole neighborhood fills with pop-up crowds, so go early
Opening hours vary by branch, so check the store listing on Olive Young’s official site before you go.
Which Olive Young store to visit
Olive Young runs more than 1,300 stores across Korea, but neighborhood branches carry a narrower range. For a first visit, or to shop an Olive Young sale properly, go to a flagship.
| Store | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Myeongdong Town | Tax refund desk and currency exchange near the entrance | Very crowded in the evening |
| Central Myeongdong Town | Huge range and 22 staffed checkouts | About 200m from Myeongdong Town |
| Olive Young N Seongsu | The biggest store, with a personal color test zone | Pairs well with Seongsu’s cafes |
| Beauty Mansion Seongsu | A newer concept store by Seongsu Station Exit 2 | You pay on the 4th floor |
| Gangnam | Staying south of the river or visiting clinics | Instant tax refund available |
| Hongdae | A calmer alternative to Myeongdong | Instant tax refund available |
Myeongdong alone has around nine Olive Young branches. If one has a long line, walk a few minutes to the next.
Before you go
- Bring your physical passport for the instant tax refund (see my Olive Young tax refund guide)
- Flagship staff almost always speak English; smaller branches use translation tablets
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex and JCB are widely accepted; PayPal is not
FAQ
When is the next Olive Young sale?
The winter sale is expected around the start of December. Olive Young announces the exact dates only a few days ahead.
What’s the difference between Olyoung Sale and Olive Young Day?
Olyoung Sale is the big seasonal sale, four times a year. Olive Young Day is a smaller monthly event on the 25th to 27th.
When is Olive Young least crowded?
Weekday mornings. Evenings and weekends are the busiest, especially in Myeongdong and Seongsu.
Which Olive Young is best for tourists?
Myeongdong, for the tax refund desk, currency exchange and English-speaking staff. Seongsu is the better pick for a less hectic visit.
Olive Young changes promotions and store details often, so confirm current dates and hours on its official site before you travel.
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