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 become a global force, exporting $11.4 billion worth of cosmetics last year, surpassing the United States to claim the second spot in international exports, behind only France. However, this growth surge hasn't been fueled by large conglomerates, but rather by independent brands - small-to-mid-sized startups that now contribute to 72.5 percent of all Korean beauty exports.
As global interest in Korean cosmetics evolves from online buzz to a permanent component of daily skincare routines, Seoul is gearing up to lay the foundation for the industry's future. On August 22, the fifth annual Seoul Beauty Week will commence at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a four-day trade exhibition organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
The event will feature a record-breaking 152 companies representing skincare startups, aesthetic medical firms, wellness brands, and AI-driven beauty technology leaders. While traditionally serving as a vital launching pad for niche Korean labels reaching international markets, the fair is now concentrating on expanding its scope.
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.
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