One of My Most Favorite Activities in Korea: Creating a Perfume From My Memories at Rettre
If you’ve ever wondered why scent can instantly take you back to a moment… let me introduce you to a memory-based perfume experience in Korea.
Jihye and I finally tried the brainwave perfume workshop at Rettre in Seoul Forest — and we can’t wait to share everything with you.
This isn’t just perfume shopping. It’s memory, science, and self-reflection bottled up, and my FAVORITE activity from my recent trip. Perfect for a friend or a date activity in Seoul.
🧠 What I Did
We booked the Memory-Based Perfume Creation Experience at Rettre Seoul Sup (Seoul Forest location).
The concept?
You create a custom fragrance based on your emotional memory and brainwave responses.
You’re guided to think about a specific memory — a person, a season of life, a feeling you want to hold onto. Then through a sensory process (including light brainwave measurement), you’re introduced to scent profiles that align with your emotional response.
From there, you blend your own perfume.
Pain level? 0/10.
Emotional level? 8/10.
FRIENDS, I did not expect to get this reflective.
The most fascinating part? Even though we went together, every single one of us created completely different scents. Same room. Same process. Totally different memories. Totally different results.
It felt nostalgic, scientific, creative — and honestly, SO fun.
💰 Pricing
Memory-Based Perfume Experience:
Approximately ₩35,000–₩50,000 KRW (around $30–$40 USD depending on the session and perfume vs diffuser)
For something this customized and intentional, I was honestly surprised at how accessible it is. And my perfume smells literally like a bottle of BYOMA.
📍 Location & Map
Rettre Seoul Sup (Seoul Forest)
Address:
2F, 45-1 Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
View on Naver Map: https://naver.me/GTe1zE87
Other Rettre Locations in Seoul
Rettre Hongdae
2F, 22-8 Sinchon-ro 4-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Each location has a slightly different vibe, but the experience concept is the same.
If you're planning a Seoul itinerary and looking for unique things to do in Korea beyond shopping and cafés, this is such a memorable activity.
📅 How to Book
Visit their official website:
https://seoulsup.rettre.com/en/
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
You can also check their Instagram for updates and booking info.
💡 Tips
- Come with a memory in mind — a person, a moment, a feeling
- Bring a digital photo of that memory
- Don’t rush the process. The reflection part is the magic.
- This is perfect for a girls’ day, solo date, or unique travel experience
- Great for couples too — creating scents based on each other is so special
✨ Why I Loved It
This wasn’t just about making perfume. It was about pausing.
In a city that moves fast, this experience forced me to slow down and sit with a memory. To ask myself what feeling I wanted to bottle. What version of myself I wanted to remember. And walking away with a scent that represents that? That feels different than buying something trendy.
If you’re visiting Seoul and looking for:
• Unique things to do in Korea
• A creative Seoul Forest activity
• A meaningful souvenir from Korea
• A memory-based perfume experience
This is a must-try.
It’s one of my most favorite activities in Korea — and I would absolutely do it again (with a different memory!).