What Good Things Are Worth Buying in South Korea? Detailed Price Comparison List of Must-Buy Items at Korean Duty-Free Shops

When traveling to South Korea, duty-free shopping is an essential part of the itinerary. South Korea has numerous duty-free shops that can be called a shopping paradise, attracting tourists from all over the world. So what are the must-buy items at Korean duty-free shops? What good things are worth buying in South Korea? The editor has compiled a list of must-buy items at Korean duty-free shops, including nutritional supplements, cosmetics such as Korean domestic brands Sulwhasoo and The History of Whoo, as well as international luxury brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Estée Lauder, Helena Rubinstein, Lancôme, and LE LABO niche luxury perfumes. Leisure and sportswear brands are also worth buying, such as NERDY, MLB hats, Gentle Monster sunglasses, and Longines watches, which are essential items for fashion enthusiasts. They are not only duty-free but also offer promotions. Below is a detailed introduction to the must-buy items at Korean duty-free shops for those planning a trip to South Korea!

There are four major duty-free shops in South Korea that are very famous: Hyundai Department Store, Lotte, Shinsegae, and Shilla Duty Free. In recent years, Hyundai Department Store Duty Free has gained great popularity in South Korea, with excellent facilities, attentive service, ample inventory, many promotions, large discounts, and an overall great experience. Lotte needs no introduction; it has a very complete selection of brands, but due to high foot traffic, popular items often sell out. Shinsegae Duty Free offers comfortable facilities and services, and its brand selection is also comprehensive. Shilla Duty Free is relatively less conveniently located, but it has a good range of brands, and some cosmetics are very affordable. If you're lucky, you might encounter activities with significant discounts.

Now let's take a look at the must-buy items at Korean duty-free shops!

EXTREME

For fitness enthusiasts and those who love sports, EXTREME's nutritional supplements are definitely a must-buy! South Korea's EXTREME is a nutritional supplement brand dedicated to health and vitality. Besides providing nutritional support for fitness enthusiasts and ordinary office workers who need to recover energy and relieve fatigue, it is also active in professional sports fields such as street dance teams, endurance races, and national teams. These experiences provide more reliable support for product development.

Among them, EXTREME's Black Maca 1800 and Triple Arginine 6200 are must-buy items at Korean duty-free shops.

The core ingredient of Black Maca 1800 is high-quality black maca from Peru, along with black garlic, cudrania tricuspidata, black ginseng, chive seed extract, and zinc. Black maca is a nutrient-rich natural herb that helps activate muscle strength, reduce muscle fatigue, and boost vitality. The other auxiliary ingredients also effectively help the body relieve fatigue and replenish energy. It is suitable for those who engage in high-intensity fitness workouts or experience severe fatigue easily. Especially when taken before exercise, it helps maintain a good exercise state, improve performance, and make workouts more effective.

The core ingredient of Triple Arginine 6200 is arginine, with a content of 6200 milligrams, a high concentration that replenishes vitality, recovers from fatigue, improves condition, and is safe for the body to ingest. It also includes taurine, zinc, malt extract, vitamin C, and other nutrients beneficial to health for assistance. It provides energy supplementation for sports enthusiasts and supplies useful nutrients for those who are easily fatigued or lack physical strength.

Moreover, EXTREME's brand ambassador is the well-known Kim Jong Kook, a fitness fanatic, which immediately ignites the passion for exercise and fitness!

EXTREME's Black Maca 1800 and Triple Arginine 6200 are available at Shinsegae, Hyundai Department Store, Shilla, and HDC duty-free shops in South Korea. Most importantly, Korean duty-free shops also offer promotions. At Shilla Duty Free, purchasing 1 box of Triple Arginine 6200 comes with a free water bottle. At Hyundai Department Store Duty Free, spending $50 on EXTREME products gives you a free bottle of EXTREME Vitamins & Minerals.

After introducing the must-buy nutritional supplements at Korean duty-free shops, below are the must-buy Korean domestic brands, such as Sulwhasoo sets, The History of Whoo Bichup serum, etc., as well as international luxury skincare brands like YSL cushion foundation, Estée Lauder, Helena Rubinstein skincare, Lancôme sunscreen, LE LABO niche luxury perfume, and leisure and sportswear brands like NERDY, MLB hats, Gentle Monster sunglasses, and Longines watches, which are essential items for fashion enthusiasts. Let's take a detailed look at these must-buy items at Korean duty-free shops.

2. Sulwhasoo Timetreasure Renovating Water & Emulsion Set

$90.3 (approx. ¥656.48)

An anti-aging skincare set with powerful skin self-renewal ability that creates firm, resilient skin without wavering.

- First Care Activating Serum EX 150ML

- Timetreasure Renovating Emulsion EX 125ML

- Timetreasure Renovating Serum 8ML

- First Care Activating Serum EX 25ML

- Timetreasure Renovating Emulsion EX 25ML

- Timetreasure Renovating Cream Classic 10ML

3. THE WHOO Bichup Ultimate Recovery Serum Special Set

$86.1 (approx. ¥625.94)

Bichup Ultimate Recovery Serum contains NAD Power24™*, an ingredient with excellent skin barrier improvement effects, supplying vitality and energy to the skin, regulating various changes and skin concerns from the external environment, and cultivating the skin's self-renewal ability. It is 'WHOO's signature anti-aging serum. Bichup Ultimate Recovery Serum comes in a texture that is soft and non-sticky like a sticky note, gliding smoothly upon contact with the skin, effectively balancing oil and moisture, and making the skin firmer, more radiant, and hydrated. It provides elasticity and nourishment to sagging skin. * NAD Power24™: An ingredient developed through technology that liposomizes NAD, which decreases over time in the skin, delivering it into the skin. (NAD: Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)

4. YSL Touche Éclat Le Cushion Foundation - Pink Cushion B10 CN

$51.8 (approx. ¥376.58)

At any time, everyone desires a complexion with a natural, healthy glow. Now, Yves Saint Laurent Beauté, with innovative technology and a new formula, makes this radiant glow accessible to everyone, from morning to night. The Pink Cushion is the first mesh cushion in YSL's iconic cushion line, focused on infusing the skin with that captivating radiance. High coverage, all-day comfort; more even skin tone, instant brightening; 24-hour hydration; three glow shades tailored for Asian skin tones. The Pink Cushion allows your skin to exude unparalleled couture radiance anytime, anywhere. Glowing skin. Radiant cheeks. A healthier, more luminous complexion.

5. HR Helena Rubinstein Prodigy Re-Plasty Age Recovery Day & Night Set (Black & White Bandage)

$572.25 (approx. ¥4,160.25)

The Prodigy Re-Plasty Age Recovery Cream cares for the skin like a bandage, maintaining a stable state—soothing skin discomfort, effectively smoothing marks, moisturizing and restoring radiance, reversing fragile skin conditions, and improving skin firmness and texture.

The iconic 'Black Bandage' contains 30% high-concentration Pro-xylane™, combating signs of aging and epidermal scars, rebuilding the skin's protective barrier, activating the skin's nighttime soothing system, penetrating deep into the skin, and repairing fragile skin overnight.

6. Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer SPF 50+ PA++++ 50ml 3-Pack

$42.84 (approx. ¥311.44)

Ranked first for 15 consecutive years* – Lancôme UV EXPERT series upgraded.

Stronger protection! Gentler product!

A moisturizing and refreshing Lancôme UV EXPERT Aquagel Defense Primer SPF50+ PA++++

* 2004 – 2018 Beaute Research Korea: No.1 in sunscreen brand (skincare) category (based on sales)

7. LE LABO Santal 33 Body Lotion

$67.45 (approx. ¥490.36)

Do you still remember the classic Marlboro cigarette ads? At dusk, under the vast blue sky, a man stands by a campfire with his horse. Such a beautiful image subtly evokes the masculinity and freedom of the American West. This man, with firelight flickering on his face, leans against a worn leather saddle, alone as the desert wind blows. This symbol of masculine power once inspired many men and attracted many women... Santal 33 was born from this memory: an outstanding American myth, still a dream source in other parts of the world. Inspired by this, we aimed to create a fragrance form deeply inspired by this myth. A perfume that captures the coveted sensual aura of this symbol, making a man as enchanting and captivating as a woman. We also recommend our blend of cardamom, orris root, violet, and ambroxan, which bursts passionately in this fragrance, adding a spicy, leathery, musky touch to the smoky woody notes of Australian sandalwood, papyrus, and cedar, giving this perfume a classic, charming, comfortable unisex scent. In just a few words, Santal 33 is perfectly described... it is a burning flame, an ethereal smoke. After the light fades, a slowly exuding sensual aura.

8. NERDY X HDDFS BIG LOGO PULLOVER HOODIE LIGHT PURPLE M

$47.6 (approx. ¥346.05)

Korean fashion brand NERDY, founded in 2017, focuses on showcasing unique colors. With versatile designs, loose cuts, and vivid colors, it presents a unique and trendy style. Thanks to its distinctive brand personality, NERDY quickly became a sought-after star streetwear brand, with increasing popularity in South Korea, favored by today's youth.

9. GENTLE MONSTER PALETTE-01 Sunglasses

$189 (approx. ¥1,374.03)

Frame front: 147.8mm, Frame side: 146.3mm, Lens width: 63.9mm, Lens height: 49.8mm, Bridge: 16mm

A sharply defined square front frame with a versatile silhouette that suits all face shapes, offering a stylish and sophisticated look.

10. Longines HydroConquest L3.740.4.56.6

$1,030.4 (approx. ¥7,491)

This LONGINES HydroConquest L3.741.4.56.6 men's mechanical watch features the L619 automatic movement, providing approximately 64 hours of power reserve. It has a stainless steel case and bracelet, a sturdy crown guard, a unidirectional rotating coin-edge bezel, a black top ring and dial, round luminous hour markers, luminous large three hands, Arabic numerals at 6, 9, and 12 o'clock, a square date window at 3 o'clock, a case diameter of about 39 mm, thickness of about 11.85 mm, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a folding clasp with safety latch, and 300-meter water resistance.

If you are struggling with what to buy at Korean duty-free shops, you can refer to this guide, which covers everything from nutritional supplements to beauty and fashion, all clearly arranged!