K-BEAUTY EXPO KOREA 2026 runs from Thursday, October 15, to Saturday, October 17, 2026 at KINTEX Exhibition Center 1, Halls 3–5, in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do (the Seoul metropolitan area). Now in its 18th edition, it is a B2B-focused beauty trade show where Korean cosmetics SMEs meet overseas buyers through export consultations and 1:1 business matching. This guide covers the verified 2026 schedule, admission and online pre-registration, transport from Seoul, and a summary of last year’s scale and reception.

Event at a Glance

EventK-BEAUTY EXPO KOREA 2026 (K-뷰티엑스포 코리아)
Edition18th
DatesOctober 15 (Thu) – 17 (Sat), 2026
Hours10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30; recommended to visit before 16:00)
VenueKINTEX Exhibition Center 1, Halls 3–5 — 217-60 Kintex-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (10390)
Host / OrganiserHost: KINTEX / Organiser: KINTEX + KOTRA
Official websitekbeautyexpo.com · Korean site
Admission20,000 KRW on-site / free with online pre-registration (deadline Oct 14, 17:59 KST)

About K-BEAUTY EXPO KOREA

K-BEAUTY EXPO KOREA is hosted by KINTEX and co-organised with KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency). The official website positions the show as a B2B-focused platform, with export consultations and 1:1 matching between domestic cosmetics SMEs and international buyers as its core.

The 2026 show covers 12 official exhibitor categories: Skincare; Makeup/Nail; Aesthetics; Ingredients/Packaging; OEM/ODM; Men’s Beauty; Hair; Body; Inner Beauty/Medical; Smart Beauty; Vegan Beauty; and Platform/Marketing.

Dates, Venue and Admission

  • Dates: October 15 (Thu) – 17 (Sat), 2026, 10:00–17:00. Last entry is 16:30; the official page recommends visiting before 16:00.
  • Venue: KINTEX Exhibition Center 1, Halls 3–5 (217-60 Kintex-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do).
  • Admission (on-site): 20,000 KRW.
  • Free with pre-registration: online pre-registration grants free admission; deadline is October 14, 2026, 17:59 (KST).
  • On-site discounts: foreign visitors 5,000 KRW off (non-Korean passport), Goyang residents 5,000 KRW off, national merit recipients and persons with disabilities free, children under 12 free (supporting document required).

Pre-registration is the most reliable way to save: the 20,000 KRW on-site fee is waived for those who register online before the deadline.

Visa and Invitation Letters

The organising committee does not issue any form of visa or invitation letter. Visitors who need a visa must handle the process themselves; do not plan your trip on the assumption that an invitation letter will be provided.

KOTRA Invited-Buyer Registration

The KOTRA invited-buyer programme is a separate track from general visitor registration and includes pre-arranged 1:1 meetings. General buyers pre-register as “General Buyer”. At the time of writing, the official site shows both “COMING SOON” and closed registration on different pages, so invited-buyer applicants should check the latest status on the KOTRA buyer page.

Confirmed Highlights

K-BEAUTY INSIGHT CONCERT (Conference)

The three-day conference “K-BEAUTY INSIGHT CONCERT” has a published main-stage schedule covering topics such as the China, US, Europe/Latin America, US-tariff-and-AI, and EU B2C markets. Side seminars include RE:VIEW & NEXT 2026, K-BEAUTY MANUFACTURER SCALE-UP 2026, and Xiaohongshu and Douyin sessions. The programme also includes the MD’s Pick Awards and the WeStart donation ceremony.

Some 2026 programme items (conference schedule, sponsors) are listed on the official site but may change. Check the official website before your visit.

Buyer Programme (1:1 Matching)

KOTRA invited buyers receive pre-arranged 1:1 meetings with transport/accommodation support and free interpretation. General buyers get pre-match contacts via the online exhibition plus free access to the buyer lounge and conferences.

Side Events and Sponsors

The official site lists side events including We Start BeautyFull, Beauty Wellness Zone, Events, Photobooth, and MD’s Pick. The 2026 sponsors are IZEZE, ISS (beautederm), BSGH (dermabell), vvbetter, and plu.

Getting to KINTEX

KINTEX is in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, roughly one hour from central Seoul by public transport. Below is practical access information for visitors coming from Seoul.

Subway

  • GTX-A KINTEX Station: about a 5-minute walk from Exit 1. The fastest option from the Gangnam/Suseo side of Seoul.
  • Line 3 Daehwa Station: about a 7-minute walk from Exits 1–2; local buses 058, 039, 082, 089 also connect from the station.

Bus

From Seoul, buses 72, 770, 1000, 1100, 2000, 9701, 9708, 9714, and M7106 (Gwanghwamun/Sinchon area), 870, 1500, and 9707 (Yeongdeungpo), and M7731 (Hapjeong/Hongik University) serve KINTEX. Local Ilsan routes include 55, 55-2, 97, 200, 600, 900, and 056.

From the Airports

  • Gimpo International Airport: airport buses 56 and 150.
  • Incheon International Airport: the official site lists different airport-bus numbers on different pages (5600 and 3300). Please confirm the current route with KINTEX or the official “How to Visit” page before travelling.

Parking

KINTEX parking is paid and no event discount applies: 1,240 KRW per 20 minutes for passenger cars (daily max 19,000 KRW); temporary lots are 620 KRW per 10 minutes (max 6,500 KRW).

Last Year’s Scale and Reception (2025)

This section describes the 2025 edition only and is not an indication of 2026 conditions. The 2025 show was held in September at KINTEX II, Halls 7–8, so the hall layout, timing and fees differ from 2026.

According to the official post-show report and press coverage, the 2025 edition (17th) drew 512 companies from 12 countries (447 domestic + 65 overseas) across 790 booths and 22,628㎡. Of 40,125 total visitors, 10,176 were foreign buyers from 143 countries, with 170 invited-buyer companies from 47 countries.

Reported export results: 1,780 consultations, US$138 million in consultation value, and US$43 million in contract-promotion value (roughly double the prior year). More than 95% of surveyed exhibitors and visitors said they were satisfied — a figure collected by the organiser, and the “best-ever” framing is the organiser’s own promotional language.

Programmes that drew crowds included the K-BEAUTY INSIGHT CONCERT, K-BEAUTY AI BOOT CAMP, Middle East/North Africa and India market briefings, retail MD consultations (Coupang, Kurly, Zigzag, home shopping, duty-free — 40 retailers), the K-BEAUTY EXPO AWARDS (5 products), and the BeautyFull social-contribution event.

Exhibitor reviews positively noted visits from North American and African buyers, and an overseas visitor report observed indie brands, fermentation-peptide and microbiome anti-ageing technology, AI custom-serum analysis, and sustainability trends such as recycled PET and waterless formulations. Last year’s reviews repeatedly praised scale growth and overseas-buyer results, with no significant negative feedback found; treat this as historical context only.

Pre-Visit Checklist

  • Pre-register online before October 14, 17:59 (KST) to save the 20,000 KRW on-site fee.
  • No visa invitation letters are issued — plan your visa and itinerary accordingly.
  • Plan transport from Seoul: KINTEX is about one hour from central Seoul; GTX-A KINTEX Station (5-min walk) or Line 3 Daehwa Station (7-min walk) are the easiest options.
  • Parking is paid with no discount (1,240 KRW/20 min, max 19,000 KRW daily) — compare with public transport.

Seoul Events During the Expo

KINTEX is about an hour from central Seoul, so the events below are practical only for visitors staying in Seoul who can spare time around the expo. All five overlap the expo dates (October 15–17) and are reachable by Seoul subway.

KAWS: FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

  • When: July 23 – December 27, 2026
  • Where: Space K Seoul, Gangseo-gu (Magoknaru Station, Line 9/AREX, Exit 4)
  • Why: KAWS’s first solo museum exhibition in Korea — a natural add-on for the western Seoul route toward Goyang.
  • Practical: Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 (closed Mon); Adults 8,000 / Youths 5,000 / Preschoolers 3,000 KRW; Korean & English audio guides.
  • Official info: english.visitseoul.net — KAWS

Yoo Youngkuk: A Mountain Within Me

  • When: May 19 – October 25, 2026
  • Where: Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), Seosomun Main Building 1F, Jung-gu (City Hall Station, Lines 1/2, Exit 10)
  • Why: A free retrospective of a pioneer of Korean abstract art — a low-effort cultural add-on for visitors already in downtown Seoul.
  • Practical: Tue–Thu 10:00–20:00, Fri 10:00–21:00, weekends/holidays 10:00–19:00 (closed Mon); free.
  • Official info: english.visitseoul.net — Yoo Youngkuk

BANKSY: Still Here

  • When: July 22 – November 3, 2026
  • Where: ALT.1, 6F The Hyundai Seoul, Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu (Yeouinaru Station Line 5 / Yeouido Station Lines 5/9)
  • Why: A blockbuster international name paired with a major shopping mall — one stop that combines art with the shopping beauty-curious visitors usually want.
  • Practical: Mon–Thu 10:30–20:00 (last entry 19:00), Fri–Sun & holidays 10:30–20:30 (19:30); Adults 23,000 / Youth & Children 18,000 KRW; reservation via Naver.
  • Official info: english.visitseoul.net — BANKSY

Sook Jin Jo: That’s How the Light Gets In

  • When: July 29 – November 15, 2026
  • Where: SeMA Namseoul, 2F and Outdoor Garden, Gwanak-gu (Sadang Station, Lines 2/4, Exit 6)
  • Why: A free survey of New York-based Korean sculptor Sook Jin Jo — a quieter, high-quality stop for design- and culture-minded visitors.
  • Practical: Weekdays (Tue–Fri) 10:00–20:00, weekends/holidays 10:00–18:00 (closed Mon); free; no parking (use public transport).
  • Official info: english.visitseoul.net — Sook Jin Jo

Martin Parr — We Are Martin Parr

  • When: July 16 – October 18, 2026
  • Where: Seoul Museum of Photography, Dobong-gu (Chang-dong Station, Lines 1/4, Exit 1)
  • Why: A major retrospective by the British documentary photographer — overlaps the expo only until October 18, best for visitors arriving early.
  • Practical: Free; Tue–Fri 10:00–20:00, Sat/Sun/holidays 10:00–19:00; Korean & English mobile guide.
  • Official info: korean.visitseoul.net — Martin Parr

Event details can change. Confirm opening hours, admission and booking requirements through the official links before visiting.

FAQ

Q. How much is admission?
A. 20,000 KRW on-site; free with online pre-registration by October 14, 2026, 17:59 (KST).

Q. How do I pre-register?
A. Pre-register online at kbeautyexpo.com. General buyers register as “General Buyer”.

Q. Are visa or invitation letters issued?
A. No. The organising committee does not issue visa or invitation letters.

Q. Where is the venue?
A. KINTEX Exhibition Center 1, Halls 3–5 (217-60 Kintex-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do).

Q. How does the KOTRA invited-buyer programme work?
A. It is a separate track with pre-arranged 1:1 matching. Whether 2026 applications are open is unclear on the official site (both “COMING SOON” and closed are shown) — check the KOTRA buyer page for the latest status.

Q. Is parking available?
A. KINTEX paid parking, no event discount: 1,240 KRW per 20 minutes, daily max 19,000 KRW.

Q. How do I get there by subway/bus?
A. GTX-A KINTEX Station (Exit 1, ~5 min walk) or Line 3 Daehwa Station (Exits 1–2, ~7 min walk).

Sources and Update Policy

Last verified: September 1, 2026. Event schedules, admission, exhibitor line-ups, and programme details may change. Confirm current information with the organiser before travelling.

K-Expos is operated by K-Expos Lab, a Melbourne-based exhibition columnist covering Korean trade shows and consumer exhibitions for international visitors. This guide is drawn from official sources; the author has not attended this event in person.