Recently, many people have started choosing Korean bag brands, including designer labels and items frequently used by idols.
For example, Jennie sparked a craze with her “cloud bag,” while LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yunjin popularized the Boston bag, prompting fans to rush to buy the same styles. Next, we’ll introduce 10 must-buy Korean bag brands. Don’t miss out on these affordable korean bag brands when you visit Korea next time!
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2024 Must-Buy Korean Bag Brand Recommendation: 1. Samo Ondoh
Samo Ondoh is a Korean designer brand whose name means “the same temperature.”It’s a favorite among many Korean idols for personal use. The brand is known for its vibrant mini bags that radiate youthful charm, making it a top pick for HyunA. One of its signature pieces is the adorable Tokiyom Backpack, often called the “rabbit bag,” which boasts high cuteness and distinctiveness. Celebrities like NMIXX and Lee Hyun Joo have been spotted wearing it.
For those who find the rabbit bag a bit bold, the brand also offers rabbit-themed charms as an alternative. Even BLACKPINK’s Jennie was seen sporting one of their charms on her bag at the airport!
image source: instagram@stylejennieruby
2024 Must-Buy Korean Bag Brand Recommendation: 2. CARLYN
The cloud bag craze, sparked by BLACKPINK’s Jennie, has made the iconic cloud bag by the well-known brand CARLYN a favorite among many. Founded in 2014, CARLYN embraces the concept of “Timeless Bag” as its brand spirit, aiming for a modern and everyday style. Many of its bags feature a sweet aesthetic, and the cloud bag is no exception. With its fluffy appearance and a variety of color options that are visually stunning, it’s become a must-have item. This bag is particularly loved by idols like (G)I-DLE’s Minnie, as well as many other female celebrities for their casual outfits.
image source: instagram@carlynbag
2024 Must-Buy Korean Bag Brand Recommendation: 3. Matin Kim
Matin Kim, founded by Dein Kim in 2017, takes its name from the French word for “morning,” inspired by his life experience while living in Germany. The brand focuses on minimalist comfort combined with urban street style, and it gained significant popularity in South Korea after it became a favorite of Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon.
Many of Matin Kim’s bags feature highly recognizable metallic elements, adding a unique touch to their designs. One of the standout pieces is the nylon bag with a silver buckle, which comes in a variety of vibrant color options. With its sleek design and silver hardware, this bag is definitely a must-have item!
image source: instagram@matinkim_magazine
2024 Must-Buy Korean Bag Brand Recommendation: 4.FIND KAPOOR
Founded in 2016, FIND KAPOOR is a niche designer brand that has kept up with the Y2K trend in recent years, launching a variety of retro-style bags. With its affordable pricing, the brand has become extremely popular among young people and is a favorite of idols like Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun, Red Velvet’s Wendy, and actor Jung Hae In.
One of the brand’s classic collections is the Marty series, featuring sleek, small square bags with a flip-top closure that adds a cute touch to the design. The collection includes various styles such as handheld, crossbody, and shoulder bags, catering to all types of users. The Marty 12 in pastel macaron colors is a must-have!
image source: instagram@findkapoor
2024 Must-Buy Korean Bag Brand Recommendation: 5.Fennec
The Korean designer brand Fennec is relatively well-known with offering high-quality leather bags with a minimalist and fashionable design. Not only are the bags affordable, but they also come in a variety of colors, making it easy to buy multiple. Fennec is a favorite brand among young Koreans, and its bags typically have no bold prints, just a subtle brand logo, making them perfect for those who prefer understated styles.
This year, Fennec launched the Ribbon Pocket Bag, which features a trendy bow detail, tapping into the Y2K fashion craze. The bag is available in three different colors to choose from.
image source: instagram@fennecseoul
2024 Must-Buy Korean Bag Brand Recommendation: 6.NOTHING WRITTEN
NOTHING WRITTEN is a Korean niche fashion brand dedicated to designing stylish pieces suitable for women in the workplace or formal occasions, with an emphasis on everyday practicality. Most of the brand’s products feature minimalist designs that are easy to incorporate into daily wear. In addition to clothing, the brand also offers bags, with their Bowling Bag being a classic. The simple and sleek design exudes quality, and it comes in various colors, making it a go-to daily bag for many Koreans.
image source: twitter @nothingwritten.kr
2024 Must-Buy Korean Bag Brand Recommendation: 7.Stand Oil
Stand Oil, which has garnered immense attention on social media, focuses on minimalist, sleek, and practical designs. The founder was inspired by the oil used in painting to make the pigments smooth and applied this concept to their brand. The bags are made from smooth vegan leather and emphasize practicality, with multiple pockets for easy storage. The brand’s most popular item, the Chubby Bag, features a shoulder strap design and two small pockets on the outside, which has become a favorite of LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yunjin. Many people also personalize their bags by tying satin ribbons or adding small charms, just like Yunjin does, to add their own unique touch.
image source: twitter @jenaissante
2024 Must-Buy Korean Bag Brand Recommendation: 8.Archivepke
The niche brand Archivepke emphasizes minimalist style, using high-quality lambskin leather and their unique dyeing techniques to create exclusive, one-of-a-kind colors. One of their standout designs is the Fling Bag, which features a long shoulder strap and a half-moon shape. Not only is it elegant and simple, but it has also become a favorite of actress Kim Go-eun for her casual outfits. The soft cream-colored half-moon bag has caught the attention of many, with fans eager to buy the same one after seeing her wear it.
image source: twitter @archivepke
2024 Must-Buy Korean Bag Brand Recommendation: 9.ATELIER PARK
Founded in 2015, ATELIER PARK is a brand that emphasizes simple shapes and bright color designs. The bags released by the brand often feature fashionable bright colors or bold color-blocked designs using mixed materials. One of their most famous bags is the trapezoid-shaped bag, which was notably used by Gong Hyo-jin in the Korean drama Jealousy Incarnate. This appearance helped the brand gain international popularity.
image source: instagram@@atelier_park
2024 Must-Buy Korean Bag Brand Recommendation: 10.OSOI
Known as the “underground popularity king,” OSOI takes its name from the Japanese word “おそい,” meaning slow and patient, reflecting the brand’s philosophy of not rushing to follow fast-moving trends. The brand focuses on timeless designs, with bags that feature natural, minimalist aesthetics. Their collections mainly consist of sleek lines and simple color schemes. OSOI bags are loved by many K-pop girl groups, with their half-moon bag being particularly popular among Korean girls. This style is widely favored in both handheld and shoulder versions, and is also the same bag carried by Park Hyomin of T-ara.
image source: instagram@@hyominnn
Further Reading : 2024 MAMA Awards in LA and Osaka Highlights