It’s safe to say that most of us have succumbed to the pop culture phenomenon of the era in some form or the other—that is, the Hallyu wave. What often starts as an innocent swoon over charismatic, multi-talented K-pop group members and an appreciation for their catchy tunes eventually morphs into fashion choices inspired by popular K-dramas and the unending quest to grasp every K-beauty trend on the rise. As of late, this has extended to yet another sector within the beauty realm. That is, Korean perfumes.
One might already be familiar with Korean perfume brands endorsed by world-famous Korean artists such as Blackpink’s Jennie and Girls’ Generation leader Taeyeon. For example, luxurious cult-favourite beauty label Tamburins, which boasts a number of retail stores just as impressive as its extensive body and home fragrance collection. Eclectic interior design styles are showcased in not one, but all five thematic spaces in South Korea, from kitschy decor to artful sculptures and paintings.
Other notable K-fragrance brands to watch out for include Nonfiction—whose clean formulations free from sulphates, parabens and phthalates are sensitive skin-friendly—and the bold-spirited Borntostandout, whose vision of rebelling against the classic characteristics of perfumery has led to global success. Pay both contrasting stores a visit, and you’ll find that there’s something for everyone, be it calming minimalism or disruptive unconventionality.
Should you be an avid subscriber of K-everything and travelling to South Korea this summer, refer to our thorough curation of all the up-and-coming Korean perfume brands and their stores to shop at, below.
1 / 6
Tamburins Perfume Balm Pumkini
Cosmetics meets experimental art in Tamburins’ gallery-like spaces, which are filled with avant-garde displays, paintings and sculptures that promise an unforgettable experience. Solid perfumes are all the rage now, so get your hands on their newest product—Perfume Balm, available in six different scents. Pumkini blends the sweetness of white pumpkin with the freshness of perilla leaves and blood oranges, followed by a creamy aroma of coconut milk and soft sandalwood.
Tamburins Perfume Balm Pumkini, $46 for 6.5g eau de parfum, available at Tamburins
2 / 6
Nonfiction
Nonfiction’s philosophy prioritises finding calmness in one’s inner voice and self, and the minimalist yet elegant interior of their retail stores provide a soul-soothing environment to achieve that. As you bask in the therapeutic ambience, reach for this travel-friendly triplet of 10ml eau de parfums, perfect for a quick refresh while on the go. Spritz yourself with either of Nonfiction’s three best-selling scents: Santal Cream, Gentle Night, and Gaiac Flower. Best of all, their pure ingredients ensure that you’ll be comfortably scented throughout the day.
Nonfiction Eau de Parfum Mini Trio, $107 for 3x10ml, available at Nonfiction
3 / 6
Pesade
With immaculate lighting configurations and sophisticated displays, the luxe interior of Pesade’s flagship store pays testament to the exquisite quality of its body and home fragrance products. Immerse the olfactory senses in their diverse collection of parfums, which contain a high concentration of perfume oils for potent, lasting fragrance. One of their signature scents, Unseen, is undoubtedly nature-centric, characterised by the spicy, honeyed neroli, freshness of pine trees and heavy muskiness of cloves.
Pesade An Unseen, $193 for 100ml eau de parfum, available at pesade
4 / 6
Borntostandout
The rebellious nature of Borntostandout’s brand persona is evident from its striking appearance, which sees splashes of bright red juxtaposed against white. The label is revered for its genderless, provocative scents—the most popular being Dirty Rice Eau De Parfum, a rich and stylish amalgamation of santal, milky basmati rice, and smooth musk. Fun fact: the white perfume vials are a modern re-interpretation of royal porcelain bottles crafted during the Joseon dynasty. That aside, one can also enjoy exclusive collaborative products with acclaimed ceramists and visual artists in-store.
Borntostandout Dirty Rice, $247 for 50ml eau de parfum, available at Borntostandout
5 / 6
Sisology
Scents are strongly associated with memories, so it’s only natural that Sisology concocts its perfumes with the aim of imparting joyful, lasting moments to its customers. Displays inspired by film cameras and photography in their retail store echo this vision, encouraging one to pick a scent they wish to be remembered by. Their best-selling fragrance, Sisology Être Toi Eau De Parfum, features the fruity, citrusy accents of freesia and peach, sensual rose tones and an earthy mix of patchouli, wood and amber.
Sisology Être Toi, $155 for 50ml eau de parfum, available at sisology
6 / 6
A'ddict
While A’ddict has yet to open a physical retail store, its perfume products are surely not to be missed out on. Layering different forms of fragrances prolongs the staying power of a scent, and A’ddict’s Layering Collection Set does exactly that. Channel your individuality and create a custom blend by choosing your preferred solid perfume and eau de parfum scent accordingly.
A’ddict Layering Collection Set, $164 eau de parfum, available at A’ddict
