The Korean Beauty Show Podcast

Olive Young is more than Korea’s biggest beauty retailer. It is also a trend forecaster, data company, omnichannel platform and incubator for emerging K-Beauty brands.
In Part 2 of this special, Host Lauren Lee explores how Olive Young connects its physical stores, online platform, rapid delivery and live commerce to create a seamless discovery-led shopping experience. She also examines how its loyalty programme, consumer data and merchandising capabilities help the company identify trends and scale Korean beauty brands.
Plus, she looks at the more complicated side of Olive Young’s rise, including regulatory scrutiny over its supplier practices and the lawsuit involving a lifting mask sold under one of its in-house brands.
Finally, she breaks down Olive Young’s international expansion strategy, what went wrong with the launch of its dedicated US platform, the competition it faces from Amazon, Sephora and Ulta, and whether its platform model could support a successful return to China.
For full show notes and resources, visit:
Show Notes
Catch up on Part 1:
Part 1
Brands and Retailers Mentioned in This Episode
Olive Young
Amazon
Sephora
Ulta Beauty
YesStyle
Jelly Ko
Etude House
Flower Knows
CONNECT WITH LAUREN:
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Affiliate Disclaimer
Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show.
A Small Request
If you use insights, data or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into producing these episodes.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olive Young is now Korea’s biggest beauty retailer, but it wasn't always that way. In this episode, Lauren dives into the business story behind Olive Young's rise to dominance and explains why its success goes far beyond selling Korean skincare.
Learn how the company built an ecosystem that helped shape the modern K-Beauty industry, why Harvard Business School chose Olive Young as the subject of a case study, and what global retailers can learn from its approach to merchandising, supplier relationships and brand building.
Plus, Lauren explores why Olive Young's "beauty playground" concept resonated so strongly with Korean consumers, the role of Korea's OEM/ODM ecosystem in its success, and why supporting emerging brands has been central to the company's growth.
For full show notes and resources, visit:
stylestory.com.au/blogs/podcast

Brands Mentioned in This Episode
Olive Young
Missha
Etude House
Innisfree
Nature Republic
The Face Shop
Skin Food
TonyMoly
Rom&nd
Torriden

Connect with Lauren
Book a Consultation: stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy
Instagram: instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty
TikTok: tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty
Threads: threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty
YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast

Take a Korean style skin analysis: https://jellyko.com/pages/ai-skin-analysis

Shop Jelly Ko: jellyko.com
Affiliate Disclaimer
Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show.

A Small Request

If you use insights, data or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into producing these episodes.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren shares the latest K-Beauty industry news, including Olive Young’s much-anticipated US launch, why fans are frustrated with the brand and product lineup, Kendall Jenner becoming the face of Anua, and Korea’s regulators cracking down on Dr.G and Medicube’s advertising claims.Plus, Lauren shares her thoughts from the APAC Beauty Trends Report, what she’s been working on lately, and some of her favourite K-Beauty finds for June 2026.
For full show notes and resources, visit: https://stylestory.com.au/blogs/style-story/olive-young-launched-in-the-us-and-people-are-p-ssed
For more podcast episodes: stylestory.com.au/blogs/podcast
K-Beauty News of the Month:
Olive Young USA Has Arrived. So Why Is Everyone Angry?
Kendall Jenner, Anua and the Celebrity Question in Korean Beauty
Dr.G and Medicube Ordered to Suspend Advertising in Korea
APAC Beauty Is Moving Beyond Trends
What I've Been Up To lately
Question of the Month: Do you recommend overnight sheet masks?
K-Beauty Product Recommendations of the Week
Hera Dual Volume & Serum Mascara
Aestura Atobarrier 365 Body Lotion
Espoir Strobing Highlighter
Connect with Lauren
Take a Korean style skin analysis:https://jellyko.com/pages/ai-skin-analysis
Book a Consultation: stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy
Instagram: instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty
TikTok: tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty
Threads: threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty
YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast
Shop Jelly Ko: jellyko.com and https://www.yesstyle.com/en/jelly-ko/list.html/bpt.299_bid.331833
Affiliate Disclaimer
Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show.
A Small Request
If you use insights, data or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into creating these episodes.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren shares a global K-Beauty industry roundup spanning Australia, China, Germany, the U.S. and Canada, breaking down why 2026 marks a maturity shift for the category. This episode explores the major partnership signalling K-Beauty’s next phase, what happens when hype and expectations aren’t managed properly, and why trust is becoming the real currency of global growth.
For full show notes and resources, visit STYLE STORY
Question of the Month
A listener asks: How strict are skincare expiration dates? Is two years past expiry too long? Why do products often last far beyond the printed date?
Products Mentioned in This Episode
SANA Nameraka Honpo Soy Milk Isoflavone Wrinkle Eye Cream
Aestura Retinoid Eye Serum
COSRX AHA BHA Vitamin C Booster Serum
Connect with Lauren
Take a Korean style skin analysis:
https://jellyko.com/pages/ai-skin-analysis
Book a Consultation:
stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy
Instagram: instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty
TikTok: tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty
Threads: threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty
YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast
Work with STYLE STORY:
stylestory.com.au/pages/contact-us
Shop Jelly Ko:
jellyko.com
Affiliate Disclaimer
Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show.
A Small Request
If you use insights, data or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into creating these episodes.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren shares the worst K-Beauty products and formats she personally tried in 2025 and explains why they failed in real-world use. This episode is a follow-through from the previous discussion on K-Beauty marketing trends that need to die in 2026, focusing on how hype, sensation and viral appeal often break down when products meet real skin.
For full show notes and resources, visit STYLE STORY
This episode covers:
The positioning of grinding cleansing balms on social media versus actual use
Cheilitis (inflammation of the lips) being linked to one of Korea (and Lauren’s) most beloved lip tints
Why “mineral” sunscreen marketing can be misleading and why it matters for those with sensitive skin and conditions like rosacea
How K-Beauty marketing increasingly rewards spectacle and sensation over routine-friendly design
Lauren also explains why these experiences are not isolated product failures, but oftentimes symptoms of a broader K-Beauty marketing problem. In the last few years a lot of products have been optimised for novelty, texture shots and performance on short form social media rather than optimised for daily use.
This episode is not about shaming brands or people who might love the products but about understanding how skincare claims, formats and ingredient choices interact with real skin biology.

Products Mentioned in this Episode
Dr. Melaxin Eyephalt Cream
Grinding cleansing balms
Rom&nd lip tints
Some By Mi mineral sunscreen

Connect with Lauren
Take a Korean style skin analysis: https://jellyko.com/pages/ai-skin-analysis
Book a Consultation: stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy
Instagram: instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty
TikTok: tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty
Threads: threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty
YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast
Work with STYLE STORY: stylestory.com.au/pages/contact-us
Shop Jelly Ko: jellyko.com

Affiliate Disclaimer
Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show.

A Small Request If you use insights, details or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into creating these episodes.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.