Yes, the Gwangjang Market Olive Young is actually inside the market complex, on the second floor of the silk and fabric section—not a nearby branch that is simply “close enough.” Here’s the exact location, opening hours, and what to know before you visit.Search using the official Korean store name, 올리브영 광장마켓점. This guide uses OLIVE YOUNG Gwangjang Market Store in English; matching the Korean name and second-floor address is the safest way to choose the branch. CJ Olive Young’s opening announcement dates the launch to April 30, 2026. The hours below come from this guide’s September 3 store-information check; use the live store finder before visiting.
Quick answer: Go to Jongno 5(o)-ga Station, Exit 8, enter Gwangjang Market, then look for the retro green-and-wood 올영양행 sign and the staircase to the second floor. The hours recorded for this guide were 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily; recheck them before visiting.This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Olive Young Gwangjang Market Location and Hours
| Detail | Store details and dated references |
|---|---|
| Store name in Korean | 올리브영 광장마켓점 |
| English name used in this guide | OLIVE YOUNG Gwangjang Market Store |
| Address | 2F, 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
| Korean address | 서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88 2층 올리브영 |
| Hours | Daily, 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. |
| Nearest subway | Jongno 5(o)-ga Station, Line 1 |
| Best exit | Exit 8 |
| Floor | Second floor of Gwangjang Market’s silk and fabric section |
| Opened | April 30, 2026 |
| Store-information check | September 3, 2026; verify live hours before visiting |
How to Get to Olive Young Gwangjang Market
The easiest subway route
- Take Seoul Subway Line 1 to Jongno 5(o)-ga Station.
- Use Exit 8 and walk toward Gwangjang Market, about three minutes from the exit.
- Turn into the alley between Jongno Woori Pharmacy (orange sign) and Woojung Pharmacy (blue sign) toward Yukhoe Alley.
- Look for the green-and-wood 올영양행 staircase sign near Garlic Boy.
- Go up to the second floor and follow the passage to Olive Young in the silk and fabric section.
Coming from inside Gwangjang Market
If you are already eating in the market, do not leave and circle the entire block. From the central food stalls, move toward Yukhoe Alley and watch for the 올영양행 staircase sign. Another approach is to use the stairs from the central food-stall arcade and follow the second-floor passage toward the store. Because the market has several entrances and dense indoor lanes, save the Korean store name and address before going. Our guide to using Naver Map in Korea explains how to search by Korean name and check the right branch.
What Makes This Olive Young Different?
This is more than a standard neighborhood Olive Young with a themed sign added at the door. The approximately 807-square-meter (244-pyeong) store was designed around “Olyoung Yanghaeng” (올영양행), a modern interpretation of a Korean shop from the 1960s.| Feature | Gwangjang Market Store | Typical Olive Young branch |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Full retro-market concept | Standard modern retail design |
| Location | Inside a traditional market’s fabric section | Usually street-level or inside a mall |
| Beauty services | Skin, scalp, and personal-color diagnostic stations | Varies widely by branch |
| Cultural elements | Traditional fabric, Korean clothing props and retro displays | Usually limited or absent |
| Product discovery | Raw-ingredient curation and exploration zones | Regular category and brand displays |
| Tourist focus | Multilingual diagnostic support and souvenir displays | Depends on the neighborhood |
| Food selection | Skips market-style snacks to avoid competing with local merchants | Some branches carry snacks and wellness food |
Skin, Scalp, and Personal-Color Stations
Olive Young’s official Skin Scan page lists this branch. The opening announcement describes skin, scalp, and personal-color stations. Launch information also states that the services support English, Chinese, and Japanese. The personal-color section uses traditional fabrics to help visitors compare colors, while a makeup bar allows shoppers to test shades afterward. Ask which stations are running, whether a booking or queue is required, and what language support and charges apply that day. The launch description is not a reservation for a particular service.Raw-Ingredient Curation
The store replaces the usual market-snack selection with a beauty-focused raw-ingredient zone. Displays have featured ingredients such as green tangerine, birch, carrot, and mugwort, connecting familiar K-beauty ingredients with their original forms. This is useful if ingredient names on Korean skincare labels have started to feel like a very niche vocabulary test.Retro Photo Zone and Souvenirs
The store opened with a retro photo area featuring traditional Korean clothing and accessories, plus souvenir displays with traditional-pattern keychains and magnets. These elements make it more interesting than a quick restocking stop, although props, activities, and souvenir stock may change.
Shopping Here: Offers, Services and What to Check
The branch’s setting is the reason to come upstairs. For the actual purchase, use the same checks you would at any beauty store.
| Your priority | What to check at this branch | How to decide |
|---|---|---|
| One specific skincare product | Exact product name, size and shelf stock | Bring the Korean name or a package photo. A brand being sold here does not confirm every item is stocked. |
| A sale or value set | Final price, number of units and amount in each pack | Compare like-for-like quantities. An online coupon or the largest discount on a poster is not a branch-specific price promise. |
| Skin Scan or personal color | Station availability, queue or booking, language support and any charge | Ask first if the service is your main reason for visiting. Browse the store if the wait does not fit your day. |
| Tax refund | Whether this purchase qualifies and which documents staff need | Keep your passport available and confirm before paying, then retain the receipt and any refund paperwork. |
Check current Korean-store offers through Olive Young’s store pages. Olive Young Global is a separate online shopping route: compare its final price, shipping destination and delivery terms independently of the Gwangjang Market shelf.
The September sale poster below is an archive
The poster shows the August 30–September 5, 2026 event, which has ended. It is not a current discount notice. For a future visit, check the promotion running on your travel dates rather than planning around this old poster.
Is Olive Young Gwangjang Market Worth Visiting?
Yes, if Gwangjang Market is already in your Seoul itinerary. The store combines a useful K-beauty shopping stop with a retro interior, diagnostic stations, and cultural details you will not find at most branches. It is especially worthwhile for:- First-time Olive Young shoppers
- Travelers curious about personal color
- Visitors already planning to explore Gwangjang Market
- People who want shopping and sightseeing in one stop
- Travelers looking for a more visually interesting Olive Young location
Make It Part of a Practical Seoul Itinerary
A simple route is: Gwangjang Market food stalls → Olive Young Gwangjang Market Store → Cheonggyecheon Stream or Dongdaemun That gives you food, K-beauty, and a walk without turning the day into a subway-transfer championship. If you want to compare skincare options nearby, our Jongno 5-ga pharmacy skincare guide explains how those shops differ from Olive Young.Where to Stay Near Gwangjang Market
Staying around Jongno, Euljiro, or Dongdaemun gives you convenient access to Gwangjang Market and central Seoul. Compare the total room price, subway distance, and recent guest reviews rather than choosing a hotel solely because “Gwangjang Market” appears in the listing title. Compare Gwangjang Market hotels on Trip.comFAQ About Olive Young Gwangjang Market
Is there an Olive Young at Gwangjang Market?
Yes. The Gwangjang Market Olive Young is inside the market complex, on the second floor of the silk and fabric section at 88 Changgyeonggung-ro.Where is Olive Young in Gwangjang Market?
It is on the second floor. From the food-stall level, head toward Yukhoe Alley and look for the retro green-and-wood 올영양행 sign and staircase.What are the Olive Young Gwangjang Market opening hours?
The hours recorded in this guide’s September 3 check were 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Check the official store finder for current hours, especially on a public holiday.How do I get to Olive Young Gwangjang Market by subway?
Take Seoul Subway Line 1 to Jongno 5(o)-ga Station and use Exit 8. Walk into Gwangjang Market, find the 올영양행 staircase, and go to the second floor.What is special about the Gwangjang Market Olive Young?
It has a 1960s-inspired Olyoung Yanghaeng design, raw-ingredient displays, a retro photo zone, tourist-oriented souvenirs, a makeup bar, and skin, scalp, and personal-color diagnostic stations.Is Olive Young Gwangjang Market worth visiting?
It is worth visiting if you are already exploring Gwangjang Market or want a more experiential Olive Young branch. It is not necessary to travel across Seoul just for ordinary products available at many branches.Can I use Olive Young Global offers at this store?
Check the terms of the particular offer. Global Mall is a separate online storefront; do not assume its coupons, gifts or shipping offers apply at the Gwangjang Market checkout.
Can international tourists get a tax refund at this store?
Ask staff whether your purchase qualifies for a tax refund and which documents are needed. Bring your passport and confirm eligibility and purchase requirements with staff before paying, because tax-refund rules and system availability can change.Sources and Checking Dates
- CJ Olive Young opening announcement, April 30, 2026 — opening date, second-floor setting and launch features.
- Official store finder — search 광장마켓점 for current branch information.
- Official Skin Scan page — branch listing.
Content and source review: October 15, 2026. The opening announcement and Skin Scan listing were rechecked; the stated hours retain the September 3 reference date. This update does not confirm same-day stock, service queues or a new on-site visit.