Now ranked No. 2 worldwide, Korea's beauty industry eyes next surge at flagship Seoul expo
Korea’s multibillion-dollar beauty sector is operating at full throttle. Last year, the nation exported $11.4 billion in cosmetics, surpassing the United States to become the world’s second-largest exporter behind France. Surprisingly, this boom hasn't been driven by corporate conglomerates, but by independent brands — small-to-mid-size startups that now generate 72.5 percent of all Korean beauty…
Korea's beauty industry has soared to become the world's second-largest exporter of cosmetics, trailing only France. Last year, the nation generated $11.4 billion in beauty exports, outpacing its economic rival to the north. This impressive growth has not been fueled by the country's large corporate conglomerates, but rather by independent brands - small-to-mid-size startups that now account for 72.5 percent of all Korean beauty exports.
As the global demand for Korean cosmetics transitions from internet popularity to an integral part of daily skincare routines, Seoul is gearing up to build the industry's future. On August 22, the fifth annual Seoul Beauty Week will commence at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a four-day trade showcase organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
The event will attract a record-breaking 152 companies, encompassing skincare startups, aesthetic medical firms, wellness brands, and AI-driven beauty-tech innovators. Known for its role as a crucial launchpad for niche Korean labels venturing overseas, this fair is now emphasizing its role in further advancing the beauty sector.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
