Why Getting Custom Glasses in Seoul Is the Fastest, Cheapest Travel Hack You’ll Find

K-medical | 2025-12-16 14:36:02
[mediK / HEALTH IN NEWS] In a memorable moment on an American late-night talk show, a Norwegian tourist looked on in disbelief as custom-made glasses were handed to him just 5 minutes and 29 seconds after he walked in. The audience burst into applause. The host joked that in the United States, you’d wait two weeks and spend at least $200 (roughly 270,000 won). In Korea, a perfectly fitted pair can be ready in half an hour for as little as 55,000 won.

That scene, which quickly went viral, helps explain why getting glasses made has become one of the most recommended experiences for foreign visitors to Seoul. It is not just about speed or price; it is a glimpse into a quiet but extraordinary side of Korean life and industry.

Why Korea Can Do It So Fast

Most Korean optical shops operate as full-service labs. From refraction testing to lens edging and mounting, everything happens under one roof. In the United States and much of Europe, shops typically sell frames while sending prescriptions to off-site labs that can take days or weeks. Korea built a legacy as one of the world’s leading eyeglass manufacturing nations in the 1980s and 1990s, and that expertise never disappeared. It simply moved into the retail space.

Intense competition among small, family-run shops also plays a role. In a market where every customer counts, same-day service became a matter of survival. The result is a system that feels almost miraculous to travelers.
Korean eyewear brands have also ridden the global wave of K-culture. Gentle Monster (젠틀몬스터) shot to international fame after actress Jun Ji-hyun (전지현) wore its frames in a popular drama, while Blue Elephant (블루엘리펀트) gained traction through social-media endorsements by Suzy (수지) and BamBam (뱀뱀). Even a simple square metal frame worn by aespa’s Karina (카리나) has become a must-have item among young people in Japan.

Step out for a nearby meal after your eye exam-and by the time you return, your new glasses may already be ready. (Image provided by ClipArtKorea)
Step out for a nearby meal after your eye exam-and by the time you return, your new glasses may already be ready. (Image provided by ClipArtKorea)

Health Note: Are Glasses Really Safe?

The old myth that wearing glasses will make your eyesight worse is simply untrue. Properly prescribed lenses correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism without harming the eyes. In children, progressive nearsightedness is common during growth and is not caused by wearing properly prescribed glasses.

That said, incorrect prescriptions or scratched lenses can cause eye strain and discomfort, which is why eye-care professionals recommend regular eye exams and replacing glasses every one to two years. One of the biggest advantages of Korean optical shops is that they offer free, on-the-spot vision testing by trained optical professionals. No appointment or prescription is required, which makes them especially convenient for travelers whose glasses break or who discover they need a new pair mid-trip.

The famous “EDIE peach” frames from Blue Elephant (블루엘리펀트), a brand beloved for the glasses worn by Suzy. (Image provided by Blue Elephant)
The famous “EDIE peach” frames from Blue Elephant (블루엘리펀트), a brand beloved for the glasses worn by Suzy. (Image provided by Blue Elephant)
Three Recommended Spots for Visitors

1. Myeongdong Davichi Optical (명동 다비치안경)

Located near Hoehyeon Station, this branch of the national chain has become a favorite among international tourists, with foreign customers making up about 70 percent of its business. A recent report by the Chosun Ilbo (조선일보) ranked it alongside Olive Young and Daiso as one of the top must-visit spots for overseas visitors in Myeongdong.
  • Location: 62 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
  • Price range: 20,000–55,000 won (frame + basic lenses)
  • Features: Multilingual signage in English, Chinese, and Japanese
2. Namdaemun Market – Bright Optical (밝은안경)

Namdaemun Market is Korea’s largest wholesale and retail hub for eyewear, handling more than half of the country’s total volume. Among its 150-plus optical shops, Bright Optical stands out for consistently high quality at competitive prices. Many locals swear by it.

  • Location: B1, Coco Shopping Mall, 32 Namdaemun Market 4-gil (near Hoehyeon Station Exit 5)
  • Price range: 19,000–49,000 won (frame + lenses)
  • Features: In-house factory production for superior quality control; combine eyewear shopping with the vibrant market experience
3. Eutteum 50 Optical in Myeongdong (으뜸50안경)

Situated right next to the famous Myeongdong Kyoja noodle restaurant, this chain is known for transparent pricing and staff who speak excellent English, Chinese, and Japanese. Price lists are displayed at the entrance in four languages, so there are no surprises.

  • Location: 60 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (1F, T Avenue)
  • Price range: Among the most affordable in the area, with clear signage


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

K-Culture&Travel

image
K-Culture & Travel
Why Do Koreans Grill Pork Belly on Heavy Fine Dust Days?
On hazy days in Seoul, when the air turns thick with fine dust carried in from distant deserts and industrial zones, many Koreans head straight for the grill. It's a ritual as comforting as it is quirky: sizzling strips of samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly, 삼겹살), wrapped in lettuce leaves with garlic, kimchi, and a splash of sesame oil. The belief persists that this beloved cut of pork somehow counters the pollution clinging to the lungs. Sales of pork belly have long spiked during severe air quality alerts, a pattern observed for years whenever the skies grow heavy.1. The Roots of a Persiste
image
K-Culture & Travel
An Hour from Seoul, History and Fairy Tales Share the Same Incheon Hillside
Just an hour from the neon pulse of Seoul, in the port city of Incheon’s Jung-gu district, two worlds sit side by side on the same hillside, as if history and fairy tale decided to become neighbors.On one flank, the red-brick banks and customs houses of the late-nineteenth-century treaty port still stand, their windows framing the same harbor view they did when Incheon was Joseon Korea’s reluctant doorway to the world. On the other, narrow alleys explode with color—murals of Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Snow White’s apple, Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole. This is the Open Port Cultural Di
image
K-Culture & Travel
How to Ride Seoul’s Subways Like a Local: T-money, Etiquette, and Rush-Hour Hacks
South Korea’s subway system is a marvel of precision, cleanliness, and efficiency—one of the world’s best urban transit networks. From Seoul’s sprawling web to the interconnected lines in Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju, the trains are an indispensable lifeline for travelers. Yet for foreigners, everything from buying a fare card to observing unspoken etiquette can feel daunting. This guide distills insider tips so you can ride like a Seoulite.1. Getting Your Transport CardThe workhorse is the T-money card.You can pick one up at any convenience store, subway station, or Incheon International Air
image
K-Culture & Travel
Why the National Museum of Korea Should Top Every Seoul Itinerary
If you only have time for one museum in Seoul, make it the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관). Tucked beside the sprawling Yongsan Family Park in the heart of the capital, this serene, low-slung complex—its reflecting pools and graceful roofs echoing the palaces of old—holds the finest single collection of Korean art and artifacts anywhere on earth.Why it belongs on every itinerarySix permanent galleries trace the arc of Korean civilization from the Paleolithic to the present day, displaying some 12,000 objects in a layout that feels almost cinematic. You walk through time: past the d

Headlines

Doctors & Hospitals