Welcome to Daiso: 8,000 Won for 8 Things

-

 There’s something very easy about shopping at Daiso.

The prices are low enough that even if something turns out to be a bad buy, I don’t feel too guilty about it. But surprisingly often, the quality is better than the price suggests.

And then there are all those clever little things I didn’t even know I needed.

For me, walking around Daiso is almost like a treasure hunt. I go in looking for one thing, notice something new, pick it up, put it back, find something even more interesting… and somehow leave with a bag.

It doesn’t help that there’s a Daiso just three minutes from my home.

I probably go three or four times a month, sometimes just because I’m curious about what’s new. And almost every time, I come home with something, firmly convinced that my latest purchases are going to make my life easier.

At least that’s what I tell myself. :)

Recently, Daiso cosmetics have become especially popular in Korea, with some products selling out quickly. I’ve joined in too. I bought several 2,000-won sunscreens and 5,000-won essences, and honestly, I’m very happy with them.


So, What Makes Daiso So Addictive?

1. The prices

Daiso keeps its pricing remarkably simple: 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 3,000 and 5,000 won.

That means even the most expensive item is only 5,000 won.

It makes trying something new very easy — and perhaps a little too easy.

2. You can find almost anything

Kitchenware, bathroom supplies, stationery, beauty products, cosmetics, health items, camping gear, home decor, clothing…

The range is enormous.

Quite often, instead of wondering where I should buy something, I think:

Maybe Daiso has it.

And very often, it does.

3. There’s always something new

New products appear constantly, and that’s part of the fun.

There isn’t one particular “new product day” that I wait for. I simply walk in every few weeks and find things I didn’t see the last time.

That little element of discovery is probably one of the reasons I keep going back.

4. Simple, clever design

For the price, many products are surprisingly well finished and do exactly what they’re supposed to do.

But what catches me most is the idea behind some of them.

A small change in shape, a clever function, a cute design — sometimes I just stand there thinking,

Oh, that’s clever.

Apparently, my brain enjoys inexpensive inventions.

5. It’s everywhere

Daiso stores are incredibly easy to find in Korea, from busy shopping districts to ordinary neighborhoods.

In my case, it’s almost dangerously convenient.

Three minutes from home.

That is probably more Daiso access than I need.

I Went in for Cotton Swabs...

The last time I went, I needed cotton swabs.

That was it.

I came home with eight things.

Total: 8,000 won.

And yes, I’m quite sure I needed all eight of them.

Probably. :)






One More Thing: Is Daiso Korea Japanese?

Despite the name, Daiso Korea is a Korean company.

It started in Korea in 1997 and later received investment from Japan’s Daiso Sangyo, which is why many people have assumed the Korean chain was Japanese.

For years, the Japanese company held a 34.21% stake in AsungDaiso. But in December 2023, the Korean parent company acquired the entire Japanese stake.

So today, Daiso Korea is fully Korean-owned.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hot Outside. Ice-Cold Inside. How Koreans Drink in Summer.

-
Image
  The first time I ever drank alcohol was during my first semester at university. It was beer. At first, I couldn't understand why people enjoyed something so bitter.  Then came that gentle warmth, the light buzz that only alcohol can bring. Perhaps that's the quiet magic of fermentation—a tradition that has stayed with people for thousands of years. These days, many young Koreans choose not to drink as much.  But when I was growing up, learning how to share a drink almost felt like part of becoming an adult. Like many countries, Korea has its own drinking culture.  Here, alcohol is woven into everyday life, the changing seasons, special moments, and lifelong memories. Whether you drink a little or a lot, "Let's grab a drink sometime." has long been more than an invitation.  It has been the beginning of friendships, conversations, romances, celebrations, and sometimes even heartbreak. We Koreans have always loved our drinks ice-cold.  Not just chille...
Read more

Why Korean Highway Rest Stops Are Worth Visiting

-
Image
After years of driving across South Korea, I've realized that highway rest stops aren't just places to take a break - they're parr of the journey. Because of my job, I've spent years driving all over South Korea. I've probably stopped at most of highway rest stops, and honestly, I've lost count. If anyone has never driven in Korea before, here's something they should know. Highway rest stops are only found on Korea's expressways, and in my experience, we'll usually come across one every 25 to 35 kilometers. That means we never have to worry too much about finding a restroom, food, or fuel during a long drive. Things were very different ten or fifteen years ago. Back then, a rest stop was simply a place to use the restroom, grab a quick snack, and continue driving. Today, it's a completely different experience. To me, Korean highway rest stops have become small destinations of their own. They're places where I can relax, eat something good, st...
Read more

An old Friend & a Fancy Brunch Café

-
Image
I have a dear friend I've known for 38years. We graduated from the same high school, raised our children, and somehow, all these years have passed. Now that our children are grown, our lives have become slowly our own again. And somewhere along the way, my old friend became my favorite mate for this new chapter of life. There is a Korean saying that people, like certain things, get better with age. We sometimes describe this feeling as “gusuhada” (구수하다) — warm, familiar, comforting, and deeply rooted. That's what she is to me. An old friend who has become almost like a sister. Few weeks ago, we had wine together at my house. The next morning, we went out for brunch. Our destination was Weather, a brunch cafe in Hanam. The moment I walked in, I loved the place. North African-inspired rugs, tiles, rattan furniture, plants and little objects everywhere. Nothing feels randomly placed, yet nothing feels too perfect either. Yo...
Read more