"Who Wants a One-Day Trip to Seoul for 180,000 Won?" Chinese MZ Generation Is Traveling to Korea for Beauty

[Financial News] A new travel trend is spreading among young people in China: visiting Korea. Instead of shopping or sightseeing, they are taking so-called "same-day beauty trips" that can be completed in just one day.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), posts have recently been widely shared on Chinese social networking services highlighting three must-try experiences for a trip to Korea: personal color analysis, makeup and hairstyling, and ID photo shoots.
Analysts say Chinese tourists who once came to Korea for plastic surgery or skin treatments are now focusing on instant image makeovers that require no recovery time. The appeal lies in getting satisfying results quickly and at relatively low cost, which fits the preferences of younger generations.
The most popular service is personal color analysis. Specialized studios analyze a customer's skin tone and hair color, then classify them into seasonal types such as spring, summer, autumn and winter before recommending clothing and makeup shades that suit them. Prices range from 200 yuan, or about 45,000 won, to 800 yuan, or about 180,000 won, depending on the length and package of the service.
One Chinese tourist said, "After getting my personal color analysis, I learned for the first time which colors suit me," adding, "I visited the studio as soon as I arrived in Seoul and bought cosmetics based on the results." He also said that after returning home, he cleared out 80% of his existing wardrobe.
Hair styling and makeup services are also popular. Some tourists head straight to salons or makeup studios after arriving in Korea, even without wearing makeup. Another advantage is that communication is relatively easy as long as they show a photo of the style they want, even if they do not speak the language.
Chinese consumers in particular are giving high marks to the skills of Korean female hair designers. Many posts on Chinese online communities praised them for creating "the most natural and polished styles."
Price competitiveness is another reason for the trend's popularity. Chinese internet users say a haircut that costs more than 200 yuan in Beijing is often available in Seoul for about half that price, while delivering better results.
The influence of K-pop stars is also playing a role. Some tourists are willing to pay several hundred yuan to book makeup studios known to be used by famous idols such as BLACKPINK. Although the styling lasts only for a day, many say they want to experience "how beautiful they can become without much effort."
The final stop on the beauty tour is an ID photo shoot. After professional makeup and hairstyling, tourists take photos in the studio to preserve the result of their trip. For them, what matters is not how long the beauty lasts, but the experience of capturing their most satisfying moment in a photo.
Chinese internet users expressed strong satisfaction with Korea's beauty services, saying that "Korea has a beauty industry with very high levels of professionalism and service," "Korean hairdressers listen carefully to customers' needs," and "In China, shops often try to sell products, but in Korea they focus on creating the style customers want."
y27k@fnnews.com Seoyun Kyung Reporter