Let’s be real, no Seoul trip is complete without a little retail therapy. It’s the perfect city to upgrade your fashion style! So we’re on a mission: to find the ultimate It Bag in the trendy Seongsu-dong neighbourhood.
Korean fashion has been exploding globally in recent years, thanks to the undeniable influence of K-Pop idols. From BLACKPINK’s Jennie rocking Celine to BTS’s Jhope sporting Louis Vuitton, these style icons have ignited a global obsession with all things Korean fashion. And let’s not forget the rise of Korean bag brands! Names like Stand Oil, MarhenJ, and OSOI are quickly becoming household names, thanks to their unique designs and celebrity endorsements.
Let me bring you along with me to dive headfirst into the vibrant Seongsu-dong scene. This neighbourhood is a haven for independent designers and trendy boutiques, making it the perfect hunting ground for the next must-have bag.
Location: 317-2 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea 04783 Naver Pin
Our first stop: Stand Oil. This Korean bag brand is all about minimalist chic with a touch of retro. With their brand motto “daily bags for daily lives,” the designs are perfect for everyday use. The perfect combination of small, sleek, simple build and having practical space and storage makes it perfect for school, work, and travelling. I’d say this Korean bag brand would easily go well with whichever fashion style you have.
Upon entering their Seongsu store, the Joey Bag Mini immediately caught my eye! It’s a more compact version of the original Joey Bag, which I also considered but it’s too big and bulky for my liking. The mini version is better for my everyday needs. What I liked about it is the natural sheen and soft touch material it has. I’m personally not too fond of heavy leather bags, that’s why Stand Oil’s vegan leather material is perfect for me.
Although, because it is made out of vegan leather, it has a risk of tattering and cracking in the long run. But seeing the material up close had me convinced that THIS is a good quality Korean bag brand for its price! The zipper is sturdy and it has an easy strap you can adjust for a shoulder bag length and crossbody bag length. It’s available in cream, marron and black, as well as camel, red, and black in suede material. I first thought about getting the marron bag with its brownish-red shade but it looks a bit too mature for my taste.
Storage-wise, I like bags that have their own built-in compartments to organise my tiny necessities like hand cream, lip gloss, mints, etc. The two flap pockets on the front are great for this. Don’t be fooled by the buckle design! It’s a button pocket that you can easily open and close. It also has a one slit pocket at the back and a pocket compartment inside. I badly wanted this bag but it was sold out when we visited.
The original price of this bag was KRW 109,000 but they’re currently on sale in the physical store for 5% off. I highly recommend that you stop by and check it out if you’re going on a Seoul trip soon.
| Price in Store | KRW 109,000 |
| Available Colours | Cream, Marron, Black, Suede Camel, Suede Black, Suede Red |
| Dimensions and Weight | 31 x 18.5 x 8.3 cm / 435g |
| Strap Height | 21~53 cm |
| Strap Length | 41~101 cm |
| Material | Vegan leather (None-Animal), Polyester 100% |
This was the star of the show inside the Stand Oil flagship store since it was popular among k-pop idols. I first spotted this brand on Le Sserafim’s Yunjin and absolutely loved how she decorated her Chubby bag. And here I am!
This Stand Oil bag is a more classy and minimalist model compared to the Joey Bag. It’s modeled to be like a retro bowling bag with its round and plump shape that gives you a lot of space for your everyday needs. Still made out of vegan leather material, but this time it has an oily gloss finish that’s relatively scratch-resistant.
What makes this Korean bag eye-catching is its vintage-style handle that feels very sturdy. The long length also makes it convenient to reach inside the bag while still wearing it as a shoulder bag. It may look small but the compartments actually fit a lot! The Chubby Bag has two front pockets that can fit keys, airpods, or lip gloss. It has a tiny lip pocket at the back for anything you need in a jiffy. Inside, there are additional pockets where you can put your MRT card or phone in for easy access and an additional zip pocket.
This bag looks cute and customisable but the rigidness of its shape is not for me. I was hoping to buy one for this trip but after trying it on myself, considering my habits and the usual clothes I wear, I was sad that it wasn’t a match. The Joey Mini bag is overall a better fit for me, but who knows, this bag might be the one for you!
| Price in Store | KRW 119,000 |
| Price in Shopee SGD | SGD 153.96 |
| Available Colours | Sky Blue, Red Wine, White, Olive, Black, Marron |
| Dimensions and Weight | 28 x 15 x 11.5 cm, 550g |
| Strap Height | 28cm |
| Material | Vegan leather (None-Animal) |
If you’re like me, who didn’t quite vibe with the leather Chubby bag, they have a nylon variant for it! I personally like this one better because the material is lighter and has a more expanded size compared to the rigid shape of the original Chubby bag. It has the same exact compartments:
The difference is mostly with the handle. Because it has softer nylon material, it has a holder to secure the long bag handle to keep them from flopping around. It’s available in nylon gray, cream, black, and soft pink. As of now the nylon variant is only available in their physical stores. I was torn between this and the Joey Mini bag! This nylon version has a more cool and sporty feel to it which I find more apt to the usual outfits I wear.
| Price in Store | KRW 109,000 |
| Available Colours | Nylon Gray, Cream, Black, Soft Pink |
| Dimensions and Weight | 31.8 x 15.5 x 11.8 cm / 382g |
| Strap Height | 28 cm |
| Strap Length | 69 cm |
| Material | Nylon, Vegan leather (None-Animal), Polyester |
Location: 315-10 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea 04782 Naver Pin
Minitmute was an unexpected stop that I came across while walking through Seongsu. I didn’t get to take a photo of the storefront and it’s a little hard to spot, but you’ll know when you get there! First impressions: most of their stuff gives off Lululemon bag vibes (which I like). If it’s not obvious enough, I do prefer the sporty-looking ones for my everyday bag. And this brand is perfect!
Minitmute specialises with light and small bags for traveling that have a retro touch to it. Very minimalistic designs and colours too which is convenient for matching with any type of outfit.
The Clo Waist Bag caught my attention because of its similarity with Lululemon bags. Technically, it is named “waist bag” but it’s an absolute chameleon! The bag straps can be adjusted for a shoulder bag length and a crossbody bag length, which is perfect for travel! It’s secured with a snap buckle that I find handy when going through airport security. Just snap it off, let it go through the x-ray scan, then just snap it back on!
Minitmute bags are made out of eco-friendly recycled fabric and have S certification from the Dutch Control Union. This means it has excellent dye uniformity and value, ensuring the bag’s high-quality build. The material is also water-resistant making it a perfect everyday bag.
It’s quite spacious inside as well and has a zipper pocket for smaller essentials. But this was a minus for me since I prefer bags with built-in compartments. You can put a lot of stuff in it, even an Owala water bottle might fit inside, but because it has no compartments, I can already tell the contents inside will be too scattered for my liking.
Nevertheless, if you prefer the sack bag style for your items, this is a perfect travel bag! It’s available in butter, black, mix black, blue bell, soft pink, and apricot. If you prefer to have more space, they have a larger variant that’s available in butter, black, and soft pink.
| Regular Size | Large Size | |
| Price in Store | KRW 140,000 | KRW 180,000 |
| Available Colours | Butter, Black, Mix Black, Blue Bell, Soft Pink, Apricot | Butter, Black, Soft Pink |
| Dimensions and Weight | 25.5 x 17.5 x 6 cm / 170g | 48 x 26 x 10 cm / 263g |
| Strap Length (Max) | 98.5 cm | 99 cm |
| Material | Recycle Nylon, YKK Zipper, Nickel Satin | |
Location: 320-1 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea 04781 Naver Pin
If you prefer a more edgy feel, Findkapoor is the Korean bag brand you should look at. I came across their Flamma House by Findkapoor showroom which was hidden in one of the smaller side streets of Seongsu. It was a nice experience looking through their store since there were little to no people because of their hidden location. So if you want a calmer shopping experience, I highly recommend this store over Stand Oil.
My objective for this Seongsu trip was to get a tiny bag and their Flamma House collection got me hooked! This Bella Bag 22 is like a dream come true! It’s small but the space inside can fit a lot of essentials. I can see myself using this for night outs, parties, and other events. Despite being made out of vegan leather, it has a plump texture to it. It has one zipper pocket inside to separate tinier essentials. The Findkapoor logo is lightly embossed on the front which is perfect for minimalist lovers like me.
It’s very simple but I can definitely see this bag fitting well in the Y2K trend. You can pair it with nice jeans or a mini skirt, kind of like XG style, if you know what I mean. It’s available in pale green, pale blue, lemon, and black, which makes it easy to pair with any type of night out fit. Wear it with a sheer or silk top or anything that’s glittery and sparkly. It has an O-ring for its strap which you can hang some cute keychains on. This was definitely one of my top choices.
| Price in Store | KRW 129,000 |
| Available Colours | Pale Green, Pale Blue, Lemon, Black |
| Dimensions and Weight | 22 x 14 x 8 cm / 160g |
| Strap Length | 37-61cm |
| Material | Vegan leather (Non-Animal) |
I did say I loved the Bella Bag 22 but their Belty Pocket Bag 25 is a close contender. Findkapoor designs have the perfect balance of simple and fashionable! This definitely has an edgier feel to it compared to the Bella Bag 22. For vegan leather material, this bag was quite thick and sturdy. It has a two-pocket design at the front where you can put tiny essentials like airpods, lip gloss, etc. It has a D-ring detail as well where you can hang additional accessories or decorate it with your own keychains. The belt strap is adjustable for shoulder bag length and cross-body bag length.
Design-wise, I love it. The vintage blue colour desperately calls for me! I love how the vintage color adds texture to the smooth vegan leather material. Besides vintage blue, it’s also available in white, silver, lime, chrome, brown, and black.
Utility-wise, the space is too small for my liking. I was expecting the outer pocket to fit a phone at least but upon comparison, an iPhone 14 is still bigger. The rigid frame of the bag also provides less space inside. However, the number of compartments gets plus points for me! Just like the Bella Bag, this is perfect for more casual hangouts and parties.
| Price in Store | KRW 159,00 |
| Available Colours | Vintage Blue, White, Silver, Lime, Chrome, Brown Black |
| Dimensions and Weight | 25 x 13.5 x 6 cm / 385g |
| Strap Length | 35 – 100 cm |
| Material | Vegan leather (Non-animal) |
Location: 321-75 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea 04781 Naver Pin
Alavague is a local Korean bag brand that focuses on using recycled nylon. Most of their products give off the indie street aesthetic, which is great for a laidback casual look. This brand is cheaper compared to most Korean bag brands I’ve encountered in Seongsu, so if you’re on a strict budget, I’d say this brand’s prices are great for their quality!
Besides hunting for a mini bag, I was also looking for a nice gym bag I can use for my workout sessions. The Kemps Bag looked like it fit what I needed! What caught my eye was the pocket compartments at the sides where my water bottle can fit perfectly. It’s pretty spacious inside, enough to hold a 17-inch laptop. The material is made out of soft recycled nylon which makes the space expandable, enough for it to be an overnight bag I’d say.
The Kemps Bag comes with a webbing strap and a two-touch buckle for easy length adjustment. You can wear it as a shoulder bag or a crossbody bag. Even though the material doesn’t have a rigid shape and is susceptible to having scattered contents, the design is smart enough to include compartment pockets inside! It comes with two exterior magnetic snap flap pockets that can fit a phone, two inside pocket compartments, and one open pocket for a laptop.
It’s a great utility bag for work, school, or for the gym. It comes in a smaller size if you would like a more compact one. This is definitely one of the bags that I regret I didn’t end up going back to!
| Price in Store | KRW 89,000 |
| Available Colours | Blue, Beige, Black, Light Khaki |
| Dimensions and Weight | 40 x 25 x 13 cm / 455g |
| Strap Length | 73 – 115 cm |
| Material | Recycled nylon |
Location: 301-81 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea 04782 Naver Pin
OSOI is a brand that gave me a whiplash from Alavague’s prices, but it’s understandable! OSOI uses genuine leather that ill last a long time. The designs have a more classy statement to them which is more fit for semi-formal events. As their brand motto states, OSOI offers “timeless value” for their customers.
While they’re known for their signature circular Toni bag, what caught my attention was the simple look of their Pillow BAU bag. It’s a shoulder bag made out of full-grain leather and has fillers to create the soft volume texture. The glossy finish gives it a sleek, clean, and sophisticated look which makes it perfect for both casual and formal events. The strap is adjustable and is made with OSOI’s self-developed BAU decoration.
So far, out of all the OSOI bags I looked at, this is my favourite! What I love about this bag is despite looking like a tiny purse, the interior is divided into three compartments. This makes it easy to organise the essentials you need to bring. Compared to other Korean bag brands, OSOI is more on the pricey side due to its 100% genuine cow leather material.
| Price in Store | KRW 429,000 |
| Available Colours | Cream, Black, Choco Brown |
| Dimensions and Weight | 31 x 16 x 14 cm / 563g |
| Strap Length | 33 – 39 cm |
| Material | Exterior: Cow leather 100% Interior: Polyester 85%, Polyurethane 15% |
Besides the circular Toni bag, the Brot series is another one of OSOI’s signatures. I got curious and checked out the Folder Brot with its unique folder bag style. I was amused with its opening hinges similar to the vintage purses you see from movies set in the 1920s. (Although it does require a little more effort to open and close the bag). It’s a cute and classy bag that’s available in eight colours – from classic neutrals like cream to more chic options like the now-trending cherry red.
The strap length is adjustable for a tote bag length and a shoulder bag length. Storage-wise, it’s wide enough to store a lot of things. Although personally, I didn’t like how the flap takes up most of the bag space. Design-wise it’s great, but practicality-wise, I think it’s better used as a special event bag.
| Price in Store | KRW 329,000 |
| Available Colours | Cream, Choco Brown, Light Mint, Black, Nubuck Lavender, Nubuck Brown, Prism White, Prism Yellow |
| Dimensions and Weight | 30 x 13 x 7.5 cm / 630g |
| Strap Length | 84 cm |
| Material | Exterior: Cow leather 100% Interior: Cotton 100% |
Location: 289-295 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea 04793 Naver Pin
Saving the best for last, my favourite of them all, Matin Kim. While OSOI stands for timeless and classic quiet luxury, Matin Kim designs lean more on the trendier and more youthful side. I visited their special flagship store in Seongsu that was a bit difficult to find. Upon seeing their store, Matin Kim designs tend to be teetering in between casual and semi-luxury street style. If you’re a Y2K street style enthusiast like me, you’ll love this Korean bag brand.
Similar to Stand Oil’s Nylon Chubby Bag, Matin Kim’s Nylon Boston Bag gives off a sporty casual chic look. It’s made out of soft nylon which makes the straps a bit floppy when not in use. This bag got my attention because it looks spacious on the inside compared to how it looks on the exterior. I did think about buying this, but compared to the Nylon Chubby Bag, this one only has two interior pockets.
| Price in Store | KRW 158,000 |
| Available Colours | Ivory, Beige, Lilac, Mint, Khaki, Grey, Black |
| Dimensions | 32.5 x 14.5 x 12 cm |
| Strap Height | 26 cm |
| Material | Shell fabric: Nylon 100% Lining: Polyester 100% Colouring (): Cowhide 100% |
This Half Shirring Ribbon Bag was definitely love at first sight! The chrome metal finish coupled with the cute ribbons gave off such an interesting mix of textures to its design. It gives off major Parisian coquette chic vibes. It’s a perfect mini bag for casual hangouts, especially if you like wearing grunge street fashion.
The main material is soft which makes the interior very spacious. It comes with two pocket compartments and one zipper pocket inside. The strap length is also adjustable for a tote or shoulder type of wear.
| Price in Store | KRW 138,000 |
| Available Colours | Charcoal, Bronze, Smoke Blue, Black, Ivory, Pink |
| Dimensions | 30 x 16 x 8 cm |
| Strap Length | 41 – 88 cm |
| Material | Exterior: Polyurethane 100% Interior: Polyester 100% |
Of course I didn’t just spend a whole day in Seongsu (I spent two). I also explored more Korean bag brands beyond Seongsu and here are a couple of special mentions.
Location: 121 Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea 03053 Naver Pin
Most people know Pleats Mama from their Solid shoulder bag designs. But what piqued my interest was their new Sacoche Bag which looked very simple and classy. Pleats Mama is known as a sustainable fashion brand which uses recycled yarn, “regen korea,” which is the first domestically recycled material. The Sacoche bag features the signature horizontal pleats design and has a zipper opening for added security. The fabric is light but sturdy and creates a spacious interior that can fit an 11-inch iPad. Plus, the straps are adjustable, so you essentially have a 3-in-1 shoulder bag that can convert to a tote or a crossbody!
| Price in Store | KRW 69,000 |
| Available Colours | Charcoal, Black, Sage, Khaki |
| Dimensions | 23 x 31 cm |
| Strap Length | 67 cm |
| Material | Recycled Polyester 87% + Nylon 13% |
Location: 335-24 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea 04053 Naver Pin
Carlyn is also one of the popular Korean bag brands and gained hype through their Cozy bag design. The Luke bag is one of their new ones which I had on my wishlist for a good while. Although I did find the material a bit too flimsy for my liking, the design of Carlyn bags does focus on soft textures. It’s great as a daily casual bag but with the amount of things I usually bring, this might easily give way.
| Price in Store | KRW 72,000 |
| Available Colours | Charcoal, Cloud Blue, Navy, Ivory, Spring Gray, Peach, Taupe, Silver, Black |
| Dimensions and Weight | 23 x 15 x 7 cm / 146g |
| Strap Length | 121 cm |
| Material | Nylon, Polyester, Polyurethane |
Even with the most meticulously planned itinerary, sometimes life (and maybe a few too many adorable cafes) gets in the way. There were a few brands I was dying to check out in Seongsu, but sadly, time just wasn’t on my side.
These brands will definitely be on my radar for my next Seongsu adventure. Consider this a friendly reminder to myself (and you!) to leave extra time for spontaneous detours and unexpected discoveries.
Location: Lotte Dept Jamsil 40-1 Jamsil-dong Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 05554 Naver Pin
Founded by the Creative Director of famous K-Pop groups TVXQ and Twice, MARHEN.J has been one of the hottest Korean bag brands in Singapore for a while now. Hitting the sweet spot between minimalistic and chic, it’s no wonder many K-Pop artists, such as SNSD’s SooYoung, have been sporting MARHEN.J bags as a staple fashion accessory. I wasn’t able to visit the official physical store in Seoul, but good thing they’re still available online.
Their collections have a minimalistic yet versatile design, you won’t go wrong with the iconic MARHEN.J Roy Mini Bag. It can be paired with both casual and formal outfits – perfect for the 21st century fashionista. This MARHEN.J bag’s ergonomic design boasts practical storage compartments for a 15-inch laptop, A4 documents, water bottle, umbrella and more. On top of that, this canvas bag is waterproof and stain-resistant too.
Location: 668-39 Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga Seongdong-gu Seoul, South Korea 04768 Naver Pin
SAMO ONDOH is one of the most popular bag brands in Korea with the best designs. Not being able to visit their store was my biggest regret! Worn by K-pop girl group, Le Sserafim’s Chaewon, and solo artist, Choi Yena, this brand proves to be famous among more than just the Gen Zs. The SAMO ONDOH Pocket Mug Bag has a trendy design that fits most of my casual styles and I badly wanted to see this one real-time.
After hours of deliberation (and maybe a few too many iced coffees), I ended up bringing home two bags with me. Drumroll please…
The Stand Oil Joey Bag Mini in Cream and the Matin Kim Half Shirring Ribbon Round Bag in Charcoal were my top two choices. Could’ve brought home more to be very honest but the limited luggage space I had haunted me.
This Seongsu bag-hunting adventure has been a wild ride. But hey, that’s what makes Seoul so exciting, right? The unexpected finds, the endless inspiration, and the sheer joy of discovering something truly unique.
I swear, these flattering Korean designer handbags will certainly elevate your outfits for the year ahead. Ride the Korean wave and seize this chance to check out the best Korean makeup looks and the latest on Korean skincare or spice up your meals at home with K-Drama inspired recipes!
This article was updated on 9 January 2025. Additional research done by Jaia Corral.
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