Creating Your Custom Perfume at Parfum 9 in Hongdae
If you’re looking to add a touch of personal luxury to your trip to Seoul, crafting your own perfume at Parfum 9 offers a unique blend of creativity, education, and indulgence. While I haven’t personally tried this experience, reviews highlight it as a standout activity for fragrance lovers and curious travelers alike.
What makes this workshop memorable? First, the chance to explore over 30 high-quality ingredients—think white musk, bergamot, rose, and sandalwood. Second, the expert guidance from professional scent curators makes the process approachable, even for beginners. Third, leaving with a genuine 50ml personalized perfume that embodies your style sounds both satisfying and practical.
One possible consideration is that this experience is approximately an hour long, which is perfect for a quick creative break, but you might want to plan accordingly within your busy Seoul itinerary. Overall, it’s ideal for couples, friends, solo explorers, or anyone wanting a tangible souvenir that’s meaningful.
Key Points

- Personalized Creativity: You get to craft a perfume that reflects your personality and memories.
- High-Quality Ingredients: Over 30 European base perfumes and 30 single-note ingredients are at your disposal.
- Expert Guidance: A professional scent curator guides you through each step, making perfumery accessible.
- Unique Cultural Activity: Offers a hands-on experience that mixes artistry with Korean craftsmanship.
- Great Value: For around $31, you create a custom 50ml perfume, a personalized keepsake and gift.
- Convenient Location: Situated in trendy Hongdae, easily accessible near public transportation.
An In-Depth Look at the Experience

Arriving at Parfum 9 in Hongdae, you’ll find yourself in a sleek, elegant studio that immediately sets a tone of sophistication. The space is designed to be both inspiring and cozy, making it easy to relax and focus on your creative task.
The fragrance selection process begins with you smelling over 30 single-note ingredients, such as cotton, rose, sandalwood, and bergamot. This step isn’t just a sensory overload; it’s a chance to discover what scents resonate with you. The review by Josh_L notes that the host was very kind, providing clear explanations about scent making, which enhances the overall comfort level for beginners.
Choosing a base fragrance inspired by luxury brands like Jo Malone or Chanel helps anchor your scent journey. This is a clever way for novices to feel confident that their creation will smell refined, while still allowing plenty of room for personal tweaks. The guide walks you through top, middle, and base notes, explaining their roles, which is especially helpful if you’re new to perfumery.
Layering your perfume involves selecting up to 6 ingredients to customize your scent further. The use of professional tools like pipettes, beakers, and scent strips makes the process feel authentic and precise. The blending chart ensures you keep track of your formula. The ability to label your bottle adds a personal touch, making this more than just a craft activity—it’s a memorable keepsake.
The final touches include luxurious packaging, a scent character sticker (if you wish), and a mini room spray. The experience ends with a beautifully wrapped perfume, a recipe card in your language, and the knowledge that you’ve created something truly yours.
One of the standout features is the professional guidance. As one reviewer pointed out, the hosts are very kind and knowledgeable, which makes even beginners feel comfortable. This makes all the difference, especially in a creative activity like this.
Looking for more options in Seoul? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.
The Value and Practical Details

At $31.44 per person, the price delivers a solid value. You walk away with a 50ml bottle of your very own perfume—more than enough for personal use or to give as a thoughtful gift. The ingredients included are high-quality and European, ensuring your scent is refined and long-lasting.
All tools and materials are provided, which means no extra costs or fuss. The studio’s location in Hongdae is accessible via public transportation, and since it’s a private experience, your group gets personalized attention. The workshop lasts about an hour, making it perfect for fitting into a busy sightseeing day without feeling rushed.
From the reviews, it’s clear that this isn’t just about making a perfume. It’s about learning—how different ingredients work together and how your personal preferences shape your scent. The guidance from a professional scent curator makes this accessible, even for beginners.
A potential drawback is that there’s no shipping service for the perfume afterward, so you’ll need to carry it home yourself. Also, while the experience is mostly straightforward, it is quite hands-on, so if you’re looking for a very laid-back activity, this might require a bit of focus.
Who Will Love This?
This activity is ideal for couples seeking a romantic, memorable experience, friends wanting a fun group activity, and solo travelers eager to create a personal souvenir. It’s also perfect for fragrance enthusiasts who wish to understand more about scent composition. If you’re interested in fashion or beauty and want a tangible, personalized product, this workshop is a great fit.
It’s especially suitable for those who appreciate high-quality ingredients and professional guidance. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want a different way to experience Seoul, making your own perfume offers both education and entertainment.
Final Words

Creating a custom perfume at Parfum 9 offers a rare opportunity to blend artistry with personal storytelling. It’s a refined activity that manages to be both fun and educational, with expert guidance that ensures even novices feel confident. For the price, you receive a unique, high-quality product that you can carry home or gift—something that truly embodies your personality.
The experience’s intimate setting in Hongdae, combined with the professionalism of the scent curators, makes it a worthwhile addition to any Seoul itinerary. It’s especially perfect if you’re craving a creative respite from sightseeing, or if you simply love exploring new senses and skills.
In short, if you want a memorable, hands-on activity that results in a personalized keepsake, this perfume-making workshop is a smart choice.
FAQ

How long does the perfume-making experience last?
The workshop is approximately one hour, making it a quick but meaningful activity that fits well into a busy day of sightseeing.
What is included in the price?
You get to create and take home a 50ml custom perfume, use of high-quality ingredients, all tools, guidance from a professional scent coordinator, luxurious packaging, a personalized recipe card, and some complimentary items like a mini room spray.
Can I choose my own ingredients?
Yes. You start by exploring over 30 single-note ingredients and select up to 6 to layer into your perfume.
Is the experience suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. The professional guides explain the process clearly, and the ingredients are selected to be accessible for newcomers.
Where is the workshop located?
It’s at 25 Hongik-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, in the trendy Hongdae area, close to public transportation.
Will I receive a recipe or instructions?
Yes, you get a perfume recipe card in English or Korean, which details your unique scent formula.
Is there an option for delivery or shipping of the perfume?
No, currently, the perfume must be taken home with you since there’s no shipping service provided after the session.
This perfume customisation workshop in Hongdae offers a blend of creative freedom, expert guidance, and a personal souvenir that’s both meaningful and luxurious. Whether you’re a fragrance newbie or a scent connoisseur, it’s a memorable way to experience Seoul through the art of perfume-making.
- Seoul Photoshoot by Fashion Photographer
- Seoul: Afternoon Ebike Tour and Happy Hour Food and Drinks
- Seoul: Nami Island, Petite France, Morning Calm, Railbike
- Small-Group Night Dining Tour: 10 Tastings With KBBQ Course
- Seoul: City Highlights Morning Ebike Tour
- (Seoul) Korean Cooking Class With a Professional Chef
More 1-Day Tours in Seoul
- Private Day Trip to Korean Folk Village and Hwaseong Fortress
- Seoul: Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Day Trip from Seoul
- From Seoul: Cheorwon DMZ & 2nd Tunnel One Day Tour
- Nami Island, Apple Picking & Railbike Day Trip from Seoul
- From Seoul: Nami Island, Korean Garden & Rail Bike Day Trip
- Seoul: Combat Taekwondo & Self-Defense One Day Class
More Tour Reviews in Seoul
Still browsing? Here are more Seoul experiences we've covered recently
- From Seoul: Romantic Winter Wonderland Tour
- Seoul: Eobi Valley(Winter), Strawberry, Nami Island and Bike
- Seoul: Olympic-Style Shooting & Korean Food Experience
- Private Day Trip to Korean Folk Village and Hwaseong Fortress
- Seoul: Advanced Korean Class in a Café Setting
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Walking Tour
- Seoul: Inwangsan Sunset Hike with Guide
- Seoul: BTS Gangneung Fan Tour & Ulleung Island Escape
- Seoul: DMZ Tour with Japanese-Speaking Guide
- Seouls Hidden Fortress Trek: Secret Trail to Seochon Flavor
- Seoul Day Tour: Gyeongbok Palace, Bukchon, Gwangjang Market
- Blood & Tears: Korea Independence & Resistance Dark History Tour
