White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s Surprise Olive Young Run in Gyeongju

Wellness | 2025-11-19 17:40:08
[mediK / HEALTH IN NEWS] During the recent APEC summit in Gyeongju, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (many outlets initially misidentified the visitor as National Security Council spokesperson Caroline Leavitt, but photos and local reporting confirm it was Jean-Pierre herself) made an unannounced detour that sent Korean beauty enthusiasts into a quiet frenzy. With no advance notice and zero security fanfare, she slipped into the Olive Young store on Hwangnidan-gil—the trendy, pedestrian-friendly stretch of Hwangnam-dong known to travelers as Gyeongju’s answer to Seoul’s Myeongdong—and spent a relaxed twenty minutes browsing like any other customer.

Surrounded by the familiar fluorescent glow of Korea’s biggest beauty chain, the woman who normally faces the White House briefing room cameras asked staff for recommendations and filled her basket with products she picked out herself. No sponsorships, no staged photo-ops—just a high-profile visitor genuinely stocking up on K-beauty staples. Here’s what made it into her shopping bag:

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Korean Beauty Products Personally Purchased and Verified by Karoline Leavitt at Olive Young(Image capture from Instagram @karolineleavitt)
Korean Beauty Products Personally Purchased and Verified by Karoline Leavitt at Olive Young(Image capture from Instagram @karolineleavitt)
1. Chosun Beauty (Joseonminyeo) Ginseng Cleansing Oil – 20,000 won

A rich oil cleanser that removes even waterproof makeup while ginseng extract delivers antioxidant benefits.
1. Chosun Beauty (Joseonminyeo) – Ginseng Cleansing Oil (Image courtesy of Olive Young)
1. Chosun Beauty (Joseonminyeo) – Ginseng Cleansing Oil (Image courtesy of Olive Young)


2. Chosun Beauty Refreshing Green Plum Cleanser – 13,000 won

A low-pH foaming cleanser with green plum extract that gently clears away fine dust and excess sebum, leaving skin calm and balanced.

2. Chosun Beauty – Refreshing Green Plum Cleanser(Image courtesy of Olive Young)
2. Chosun Beauty – Refreshing Green Plum Cleanser(Image courtesy of Olive Young)


3. Chosun Beauty Ginseng Eye Cream – 17,000 won

Formulated with liposomal retinal for minimal irritation around the delicate eye area, plus ginseng and niacinamide for hydration and anti-aging support.

3. Chosun Beauty – Ginseng Eye Cream (Image courtesy of Olive Young)
3. Chosun Beauty – Ginseng Eye Cream (Image courtesy of Olive Young)


4. Chosun Beauty Propolis Serum – 17,000 won

A soothing, regenerative serum built around propolis, prized for its antimicrobial and skin-repair properties.

4. Chosun Beauty – Propolis Serum (Image courtesy of Olive Young)
4. Chosun Beauty – Propolis Serum (Image courtesy of Olive Young)


5. Medicube Zero Pore Pad – 24,500 won

Exfoliating pads that sweep away dead skin and tighten the look of pores; a longtime Amazon bestseller among international shoppers.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s Surprise Olive Young Run in Gyeongju


6. Medicube PDRN Pink Tone-Up Sun Cream (set of two) – 33,500 won

A sunscreen packed with 99% pure PDRN (salmon-derived DNA fragments) for UV protection, subtle brightening, and scar-soothing benefits.

6. Medicube – PDRN Pink Tone-Up Sun Cream(Image courtesy of Olive Young)
6. Medicube – PDRN Pink Tone-Up Sun Cream(Image courtesy of Olive Young)


7. Mediheal Essential Mask Pack (three varieties) – 1,000 won each

Korea’s iconic sheet masks—over three billion sold worldwide—chosen in a few different formulas for hydration and brightening.

7. Mediheal – Sheet Mask Trio (three varieties)(Image courtesy of Olive Young)
7. Mediheal – Sheet Mask Trio (three varieties)(Image courtesy of Olive Young)


8. VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot – 24,900 won

A leave-on exfoliating serum with tiny, soluble micro-spicules that help active ingredients absorb deeper and refine texture.

8. VT Cosmetics – Reedle Shot(Image courtesy of Olive Young)
8. VT Cosmetics – Reedle Shot(Image courtesy of Olive Young)


9. Torriden Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum – 22,000 won

Five types of low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid for intense, layered hydration—perfect for dry climates or long flights.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s Surprise Olive Young Run in Gyeongju


10. Goodal Fig Acid Peptide Skin Booster Shot Essence – 26,000 won

A gentle peeling essence featuring figs (muhwagwa in Korean), peptides, and biodegradable PLA microspheres that smooth rough texture while flooding skin with moisture and glow.

10. Goodal – Fig Acid Peptide Skin Booster Shot Essence (Image courtesy of Olive Young)
10. Goodal – Fig Acid Peptide Skin Booster Shot Essence (Image courtesy of Olive Young)


11. Bring Green Bamboo Hyalu Lip Essence (pack of three) – 9,800 won

A lightweight, non-sticky lip treatment blending bamboo extract and hyaluronic acid for all-day softness and subtle exfoliation.

11. Bring Green – Bamboo Hyalu Lip Essence(Image courtesy of Olive Young)
11. Bring Green – Bamboo Hyalu Lip Essence(Image courtesy of Olive Young)


For travelers heading to Korea, moments like this are a reminder that the country’s beauty scene isn’t just marketing hype—even the people briefing the world from the West Wing podium can’t resist a quick Olive Young haul when they finally touch down.

Oh Ha Eun medi·K TEAM press@themedik.kr
Copyright © 2020 mediK. All rights reserved.

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