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Skin, K-beauty, Korea trips and the beauty industry — ask and share
China fell from 19.6% to 14.4% of K-beauty exports. Time to pull back?
If there's one number export teams stared at in the H1 data, it's this: China's share dropped from 19.6% to 14.4%. Exports there fell 6.6% to $1.01B. China once took close to half of Korea's cosmetics exports, so opinion
0 0Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market is a huge distribution center visited by 500,000 people a day and Korea’s largest traditional market. Having been established as a street market since the mid-Joseon period, Namdaemun Market is as large
0 0Mangwon Market
With over 40 years of tradition, Mangwon Market is a representative traditional market in Seoul where you can fill up happily and deliciously even on a small budget. Q’s Chicken Gangjeong, where you can taste a variety o
0 0Tongin Market
Sejong Village was once a center where Joseon-era artists such as Chusa Kim Jeong-hui gathered, and in modern times it was also a hub where writers including Lee Sang were active. Originating as a public market built dur
0 0Gwangjang Market
As one of the liveliest traditional markets in Seoul, it is also easy for travelers to visit because it is located in the center of the city. This traditional market, which formed in the early 20th century and has a long
0 0Sinyung Market
Since 1953, following Liberation, Sinyung Market has operated for 70 years, bringing together people of different nationalities and cultures to create its own distinctive atmosphere. Rather than the image of a typical ma
0 0Dongdaemun General Market
Opened in 1970, Dongdaemun General Market has shared the joys and sorrows of Dongdaemun Market for more than 40 years. It is a large specialty market selling fabric for clothing, clothing notions, accessories, and some b
0 0K-beauty exports hit $7B in H1 2026, with the US now above 20%
Korea's cosmetics exports reached a provisional $7 billion in the first half of 2026, up 27.3% year on year and the best January–June on record. By market US: $1.45B (+41.5%, 20.7% share) China: $1.01B (−6.6%, 14.4% shar
0 0Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong: where do you usually buy K-beauty?
Even within the Chinese-speaking world, K-beauty shopping habits differ a lot. We'd like to collect how it works where you live. Things to share Your main channel: e-commerce platforms, cross-border sites, drugstores, de
0 0Seoul Yangnyeong Market
Seoul Yangnyeong Market is Korea’s largest comprehensive Korean medicine complex, with more than 800 herbal medicine-related shops. All kinds of medicinal ingredients from across the country gather here. Seoul Yangnyeong
0 0One year of the 15% US tariff: how did you adjust your pricing?
It's been a year since the 15% US tariff on Korean goods took effect on Aug. 7, 2025. What happened then In the first 10 days of August, cosmetics exports to the US fell 37.2% month on month to $36.9M Basic skincare near
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0 0Boontheshop Cheongdam
Opened in 2004 as Korea’s first luxury multi-store, Boontheshop Cheongdam was upgraded and redesigned by architect Peter Marino in 2014. Boontheshop Cheongdam is an iconic space in the Cheongdam area and a global fashion
0 0Seoul Through the Lens of Hollywood Stars
The second installment of the sci-fi series Dune, Dune: Part Two, recently premiered in Korea and quickly became a major hit. With the film’s release, the Dune cast also came to Korea and drew considerable attention. Tim
0 0Hyundai Department Store Main Branch
Located in Apgujeong-dong, the center of fashion, Hyundai Department Store Main Branch is a shopping space made up of Korea’s top luxury brands. It brings together products from popular premium brands such as Mulberry, D
0 0Dongmyo Flea Market
Dongmyo Flea Market began in the late 1980s. Although it has shrunk considerably compared with its former reputation, it still gathers all kinds of rare items. It covers everything from clothing, shoes, and wallets to wa
0 0K-beauty’s off-season is fading: July became the top export month
An analysis says the old "winter is the slow season" rule in Korean cosmetics is breaking down. The numbers Cosmax made 172.47M units in Q1 2026, more than Q4 2025 (148.75M). Historically Q1 ran at about 91% of Q4. July
0 0Why does lip tint pool in lip lines, and what helps?
Water and gel tints are loved for their stain, but the same stain can settle into lip lines, turn patchy on dry spots or leave a darker ring on the inner lip. Things people commonly suggest: Prep: a thin balm a few minut
0 0Breakouts on your back? Body care habits people often point to
Bumps on the back and chest are common in hot, humid weather, and body washes marketed for "body trouble" are a big category in Korea. Before buying anything, many people find the everyday habits matter as much as the pr
0 0Jongno Jewelry Street / Arcade
Jongno Jewelry Street is a jewelry arcade with 40 years of tradition. Transactions remain active enough to account for 70% of the nation’s jewelry freight volume. First of all, the most noticeable feature is the wholesal
0 0PA++++, Broad Spectrum, the circled UVA logo: reading sunscreen labels by country
When you buy sunscreen abroad or recommend a Korean one to a friend overseas, the confusing part is usually the UVA label. SPF looks similar everywhere; UVA labeling doesn't. Korea and Japan: PA ratings From PA+ to PA+++
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