Tip: Sale dates shift year to year and are announced relatively close to the event -- confirm current dates on the Olive Young app or site a few weeks before your trip rather than relying on last year's calendar.
What the Big Sale actually is
Olive Young runs periodic large-scale promotional events -- often referred to informally as a "Big Sale" -- where a wide range of brands offer deeper discounts than the store's everyday promotions, sometimes stacked with bonus samples or gift-with-purchase items. These events draw noticeably larger crowds at flagship stores than a normal shopping day, since both tourists and local shoppers time purchases around them.
The general timing pattern
- Major sale periods have historically clustered around specific points in the year rather than being spread evenly -- check the current year's promotional calendar on the Olive Young app rather than assuming a fixed recurring date.
- Smaller, brand-specific promotions run more frequently throughout the year alongside the larger sale events, so some level of discount is often available even outside a major sale window.
- Sale timing and depth of discount can differ between the Global app/site and in-store Korean promotions, so compare both if you're planning purchases around a specific event.
Planning a shopping trip around the sale
If a Big Sale genuinely drives your trip timing, build in flexibility rather than locking dates around an unconfirmed sale window.
- Check the current promotional calendar close to your booking date rather than months in advance, since exact dates are usually announced closer to the event.
- Expect longer lines and busier flagship stores during the sale -- budget extra time if visiting a flagship like Olive Young N Seongsu during this period.
- Bring your passport regardless of sale timing, since the immediate tax refund still applies on top of any sale discount.
Official sources
Time-sensitive details were checked against the original sources below on 2026-08-28.