Scent possesses the remarkable ability to recapture the essence of cherished memories or a fleeting moment from the past.
If you were to inquire about the prevailing trend in Seoul, I would confidently assert that it is the allure of fragrance.
Bangkok, situated not far from Seoul, boasts a rich heritage when it comes to scents. Numerous fragrance brands have emerged from the city, garnering international recognition. Of late, these esteemed Bangkok brands have made their way to Seoul. Last year, one such illustrious aroma brand, Panpuri, opened a flagship store in Cheongdam. In the early months of this year, a unique style of boutique emerged called L'er, exclusively offering scented products sourced from across Thailand. The proprietor of L'er, once a fashion director for Bazaar Korea and a seasoned fashion stylist, discovered a profound fondness for scented creations during her sojourns in Thailand.
Many select shops in Seoul have followed suit by introducing their own curated collection of scent products, aligning with their own unique image. Notably, 10 Corso Como has proudly showcased a wide array of fragrance brands from overseas. Meanwhile, a handful of domestic scent brands have recently surfaced in Seoul, adding to the olfactory landscape.
A woman enthralled with scented candles, moved by the absence of desirable brands in the market, decided to forge her own path by launching a brand of her own. Thus, FREED, the name bestowed upon her line of scented candles, came to be. In 2012, she unveiled her inaugural store at The Shilla Hotel Jeju.
FREED's unwavering commitment lies in upholding its reputation for exceptional quality, relying solely on the finest natural materials. They employ the most exquisite American soy wax, which holds esteemed Kosher certification. Complemented by eco-friendly cotton and paper wicks, these candles emit no unsightly soot or unpleasant odors after extinguishment. The fragrances themselves are meticulously crafted from 100% natural essential oils by FREED's perfumier. It would be remiss not to mention FREED's macaroon candle, an exquisitely popular choice in China and Hong Kong.
Price: 45,000 won per unit (210g). Multiple retail locations are available, but I highly recommend paying a visit to the PLATFORM PLACE at Dosan Park. Address: 645-27 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Phone: 82-2-517-4628. Website: www.freedboutique.com.
Established only last year, Masion des Bougies thrived as a scented candle brand, quickly capturing the hearts of numerous fashion designers in Seoul.
Masion des Bougies entices consumers with three distinct product lines: the original range, tailored for travelers, and a special limited series. Their candles are infused with the most refined fragrances, allowing the aroma to permeate the air for an extended duration. Each product from Masion des Bougies is meticulously handcrafted, utilizing 100% natural soy wax and Italian shea butter. However, due to its sensitivity to variations in temperature and humidity, additional care is advisable.
Price: 47,000 won for the original line (230g). Available at select shops and online department stores. In my opinion, Flow, a select shop brimming with Korean designer brands, is the ideal choice. Flow Cheongdam's address: 1F, 84-10 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Phone: 82-2-511-4074. Website: www.mdbougies.com.
A recently opened scent boutique, Soohyang, nestled within the vibrant district of Kyeongridan in Itaewon, has captivated locals. The establishment owes its splendid reputation to the remarkable vision of a woman named Soohyang. The word 'HYANG' in Korean signifies fragrance, and given her compelling name, she was destined to embark on such a scented journey. According to her, 'SOOHYANG' epitomizes the essence of fragrance.
Soohyang's showroom shop proudly showcases an impressive selection of 33 scented candles, each meticulously crafted by a perfumer. As the year progresses, they plan to release a line of diffusers and signature perfumes.
Furthermore, Soohyang offers the unique service of customizing fragrances catered to your individual preferences and special occasions. These exclusive scents can even bear your name, ensuring a truly personalized experience. Rest assured, the scented candles by Soohyang are fashioned exclusively with 100% soy wax, phthalate-free fragrance oil, and pose no harm to children or animals.
Price: Mini Size (80g, 22 hours burn) - 15,000 won. Set of 3 mini sizes - 42,000 won. Big Size (220g, 65 hours burn) - 38,000 won.
SHOWROOM: Itaewon 565, Yongsangu, Seoul, Korea. Open daily from 12:00pm to 07:00pm. Telephone: 02-790-0258. Website: www.kimsoohyang.com. Email: xxxhyangxxx@naver.com.
