Creating Scented Memories: Greedy Scent Perfume Workshop in Seoul

Last Updated on June 3, 2025

Perfume culture in Korea has taken off in recent years. In 2025 alone, the country’s fragrance market is projected to hit $468.91 million, with a steady annual growth rate of 2.3% through 2030. What’s driving this growth? A perfect storm of emotional wellness, aesthetic expression, and self-care trends.

A few years ago, the term “korgasm” (코르가즘), a blend of nose in Korean and orgasm, emerged to describe the deep emotional pleasure triggered by scent. Not just about smelling good, perfumes became a small luxury and small acts of self-love. What came after that was a boom in shops for creating your very own personalized aroma and that’s where Greedy Scent (그리디센트) comes in.

Whether visiting Korea as a tourist, or living here, finding one of these perfume making experiences is a great way to spend an afternoon. I walked away with my favorite aroma yet!

Greedy Scent (그리디센트), Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul, Korea; perfume making class, aroma experience

Here’s what to expect in a perfume making class run by Greedy Scent in Seoul:

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Basic Info

Bukchon Branch (그리디센트 북촌): Near the popular Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace, this is the branch we visited. The store is a remodeled Hanok, traditional Korean house, and has beautiful wooden accents. It’s a harmonious blend of modern and traditional Korea.

Address: 1st floor, 12-1 Samcheong-ro 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 삼청로4길 12-1 1층)
Hours: Every day: 12:00pm ~ 8:00pm
Make A Reservation: Reserve a time on Creatrip for quick and easy access.

Yeonnam Branch: Near the popular and hip Hongdae district of Seoul, this space is minimalistic and features a central metal table. It’s a bright space with large windows with a vibe all it’s own, perfect for the area.

Address: 2nd floor, 26-6 Donggyo-ro 38-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 동교로38길 26-6 2층)
Hours: Every day: 12:00pm ~ 8:00pm
Make a Reservation: Reserve a time on Creatrip for quick and easy access.

What To Know About Greedy Scent

Tapping into the Korean booming fragrance scene and the growing appetite for personalized, sensory experiences, Greedy Scent is a brand that caters to Koreans as well as foreign tourists and locals. They provide language support in English, Chinese, and Japanese.

Greedy Scent creates a comforting space for a hands-on experience whether you’re alone, with a friend or loved one. You’re encouraged to slow down and take your time, a small act of self-care in itself, a perfect way to spend an afternoon in the bustling city of Seoul.

Did you know? Aromas evoke memories and emotions so creating your own perfume while in Korea will forever remind you of your adventure when you smell it later. It’s a souvenir that keeps giving.

The Sensory Experience: Step-by-Step

From the moment I walked in, Iris made me feel welcome. She started us out with the guidebook and explained the process to come. We would take our time first working our way through 36 aromas and choosing the ones we’re drawn to.

In an effort to let my nose tell me what it knows, I didn’t pay particular attention but chatted with my friend while smelling citrus, florals, woods, and spices. Any aromas that I liked, I left on the table and any that didn’t hit right, I put back. By the end of that first round, I had 9. Now to pare down. From that, I got to the six I needed.

Fun fact: What Koreans are drawn to and what you’re drawn to may differ. South Korea’s fragrance market is experiencing a surge in demand for unique and innovative scents inspired by traditional Korean ingredients and cultural heritage.

Now with our six scents chosen, now we put one drop of each into a small cup, smelled, and then decided from there what I liked and what I wanted less of. By the second round, which Iris said to just sort of experiment with adding more drops of one and less of another to see how we felt, it was clear that even if both of us had chosen the same scents, we’d end up with very different perfumes.

By the end of the second round, I could tell what I wanted as my top note, my bottom note, and what I wanted a bit more of. Iris then helped calculate the final formula. Good thing, because getting the exact amounts right is important and I was prepared to do math.

Finally, much like my favorite chemistry classes in high school, I got to use a small beaker and a scale to measure out the aroma oils. Iris whisked away the concoction and then returned with a gorgeous bottle of perfume with a lovely minimal, modern label. I also got to keep the scent card with my own recipe that I can have it made when I finish this bottle should I want to. I’ve worn it every day since. It’s my favorite aroma now.

Who Should Join A Perfume-Making Class In Korea?

Honestly, anyone. It’s solo-friendly but also perfect for dates, there was a couple there when we were also. It’s great for outings with friends, or even a unique bonding activity with a parent. The whole experience took about 70 minutes, but I wasn’t even watching the clock.

What perfume brands are popular in Korea?

While top luxury perfumes from Chanel, Jo Malone, and Diptyque are popular, it’s niche brands that are the major driver of the perfume market in Korea. Though they may be more expensive at times, they are considered a worthy investment. Niche perfumes have been favored for their natural and rare ingredients that blend well with the individual human scent.

If you’re visiting Korea and want to get your own wonderful Korean perfumes, you should visit the Garosu-gil area which has become quite the perfume district of the capital. Dosandae-ro 11-gil has be brands like Tamburins and Hotel Dawson as well as international favorites Diptyque, Le Labo, and Byredo.

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