Foreign Tourists Sweep Up Olive Young Bags... 3,000-Won Tarpaulin Bags Now Resold at a Premium [K-Holic]

'Olive Young Tarpaulin Bag' Gains Popularity Among Foreign Tourists

Affordable Price and Spacious Storage Appeal

Editor's NoteWorldwide interest in Korean culture is growing rapidly. Korean-related products and content, such as K-food and K-beauty, are permeating the everyday lives of overseas consumers, well beyond just select enthusiasts. [K-Holic] shines a spotlight on the “Korea boom” being observed globally, examining why international consumers are focusing their attention on Korea.

Foreign customers are choosing cosmetics at Olive Young Myeongdong store. Photo by Younghan Heo

Among foreign tourists visiting Korea, the Olive Young tarpaulin bag has emerged as what is often called a “must-have for authenticating your Korea trip.” Although it was originally used to carry cosmetics purchased in Korea, it is now seen as both a souvenir and a collectible that signifies having shopped for K-beauty products. Especially in China, demand remains strong, with premium prices being paid for the bags.

"Practical Yet Stylish"... Tarpaulin Bags Popular in China

A sales post for Olive Young tarpaulin bag on the Chinese secondhand trading platform 'Xianyu.' Xianyu

In recent days, posts advertising Olive Young tarpaulin bags for sale have continuously appeared on the Chinese secondhand trading platform ‘Xianyu.’ The selling price is around 30 yuan per bag, which is approximately 6,200 won. Considering the domestic retail price at Olive Young in Korea is 3,000 won, this is about double the price.

According to the actual sales posts, Olive Young tarpaulin bags are introduced not simply as shopping bags but as bags that can be used in daily life. One Chinese seller, for example, marketed the tarpaulin bag at 29 yuan (about 6,000 won), saying, “It has a large capacity and is sturdy, so you can use it for a long time,” and promoted that, “It is practical for outings, shopping, or travel since you can carry many items, and the design is attractive.” The seller also highlighted features such as the neon green and pink shoulder straps and the bag’s zipper.

Another seller listed the tarpaulin bag at 33 yuan (about 6,800 won), branding it a “must-have for fans.” The seller said, “Since it’s large, it can hold a lot. It’s commonly seen in Korea,” and “It’s essential for fan activities and even fits oversized fans.”

Other sellers also emphasized the spacious storage and solid durability of the tarpaulin bag. Thanks to the zippered closure, belongings can be safely stored, and the bag can be carried by hand or over the shoulder—making it suitable for everyday outings or travel.

Affordable Price and Outstanding Durability Drive Popularity... a “Korea Trip Must-Have”

In a cosmetics shopping mall in Myeongdong, Seoul, customers, mostly foreigners, are selecting cosmetics. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

The Olive Young tarpaulin bag launched in January last year and is currently sold at approximately 150 locations nationwide, including Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Seongsu, areas frequented by foreign tourists. Originally, it was only available at four pilot stores in Seoul, including the Myeongdong Town branch, but as demand among international tourists surged, its availability expanded gradually.

Factors contributing to the tarpaulin bag’s popularity appear to be its affordable price and practicality. It can be purchased for 3,000 won and features waterproofing and exceptional durability thanks to its tarpaulin material, ensuring that it does not easily break, even when packed heavily.

In addition, the prominent Olive Young logo on the design is cited as another reason for its popularity. As Olive Young has established itself as the leading K-beauty shopping destination for foreign tourists, the tarpaulin bag has also come to symbolize the Korean shopping experience.

This is similar to how Koreans, when traveling overseas, purchase eco-bags from grocery stores like Trader Joe’s in the United States or bookstores like Shakespeare and Company in Paris, France, as souvenirs. Rather than merely purchasing products, consumers buy bags emblazoned with the store logo to commemorate—and showcase—the experience of having visited the store itself.

Payment Every 0.9 Seconds... Olive Young’s Sales to Foreigners on the Rise ↑

Meanwhile, demand for Olive Young tarpaulin bags is expected to continue. The increase in foreign tourists visiting Korea is fueling greater demand for K-beauty shopping overall.

In fact, the number of foreign tourists shopping at Olive Young has been steadily rising. From January to August of this year, Olive Young’s sales to foreign customers grew by 47% compared to the same period last year. The total cumulative number of purchases reached 11.01 million by August, meaning a foreigner made a purchase at Olive Young roughly every 0.9 seconds during business hours. So far this year, the top five nationalities of foreign customers at Olive Young were found to be the United States, Singapore, Japan, China, and Thailand, in that order. On average, these shoppers purchased six items, and one in three spent more than 100,000 won in a single transaction.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.