7 Konglish Korean Shopping Terms — From Open Run (오픈런) to One Plus One (원플러스원)

💖 Shopping in Korea? Common Konglish Words You’ll See Everywhere – Part 9


Illustrated shopping bags with the text “Konglish Series: Korean Shopping Terms” — a visual cover for Hangeulia’s guide to Konglish words like open run, time sale, and eco bag used in Korean stores.

안녕하세요. I'm Hangeulia ^-^

Welcome back to the Konglish Series! 💳 When shopping in Korea, you’ll see English-looking words that mean something slightly different from what native speakers expect. Today’s lesson covers seven everyday Konglish shopping expressions — from 오픈런 (Open Run) to 원플러스원 (One Plus One) — so next time you shop, you’ll understand every sign, sale, and special offer like a local! 😉

This guide explains what these Konglish shopping terms actually mean, how they’re used in real stores, and what natural English expressions you should use instead.



💜 Open Sale (O-peun-se-il, 오픈세일)


Situation
Two friends walking past a newly opened store.

Dialogue
A: 새로 생긴 카페인가 봐. 오픈세일이래!
(sae-ro saeng-gin ka-pe-in-ga bwa. o-peun-se-il-i-rae!)
B: 오~ 오늘 할인하나 봐. 들어가 볼까?
(o~ o-neul hal-in-ha-na bwa. deu-reo-ga bol-kka?)

Natural English
A: Looks like a new café just opened — it says there’s an opening sale!
B: Oh, maybe there’s a discount today. Want to check it out?


💛 Story Note
In English, we’d say grand opening sale or opening promotion instead of “open sale.” In Korean shopping culture, 오픈세일 is used for special discounts when a new store or café first opens. So in Korea, say 오픈세일; in English, say grand opening sale.

  • 오픈세일 (open sale) = grand opening sale / opening promotion


💜 Open Run (O-peun-reon, 오픈런)


Situation
Two friends waiting outside a bakery early in the morning.

Dialogue
A: 우리 오늘 진짜 일찍 왔다. 완전 오픈런이야!
(u-ri o-neul jin-jja il-jjik wat-da. wan-jeon o-peun-reon-i-ya!)
B: 그러게. 이 빵집 인기 많네~
(geu-reo-ge. i bbang-jip in-gi man-ne~)

Natural English
A: We came so early — we even lined up before opening!
B: Yeah, this bakery’s really popular!


💛 Story Note
Among younger shoppers and trend followers in Korea, 오픈런 has become a common expression, especially for popular cafés, bakeries, and limited-edition stores.
In English, the phrase “open run” actually refers to something that keeps going without an end date — like a theater show running continuously. But in Korea, 오픈런 means lining up before a store opens to grab limited or trendy items. So in Korea, say 오픈런 when you go early to a new café, bakery, or store; in English, it’s more natural to say we lined up early or queued before opening.

  • 오픈런 (open run) = line up early / queue before opening


💜 Event (I-ben-teu, 이벤트)


Situation
Two friends checking a store poster.

Dialogue
A: 여기 오늘 이벤트 한다네!
(yeo-gi o-neul i-ben-teu han-da-ne!)
B: 진짜? 뭐 주는 거야?
(jin-jja? mwo ju-neun geo-ya?)

Natural English
A: They’re having a promotion today!
B: Really? What are they giving out?


💛 Story Note
In Korean stores and online malls, 이벤트 means any kind of promotion, giveaway, or lucky draw. But in English, “event” usually means something like a concert or celebration. So in Korea, say 이벤트; in English, say promotion or giveaway.

  • 이벤트 (event) = promotion / giveaway


💜 Eco Bag (E-ko-baeg, 에코백)


Situation
A shopper is about to pay, and the clerk tells them about a promotion.

Dialogue
A: 오늘 10만 원 이상 구매하시면 에코백 증정 이벤트 있어요.
(o-neul sip-man-won i-sang gu-mae-ha-si-myeon e-ko-baeg jeung-jeong i-ben-teu it-seo-yo)
B: 아 그래요? 그럼 좀 더 둘러볼게요~
(a geu-rae-yo? geu-reom jom deo dul-leo-bol-ge-yo~)

Natural English
A: If you spend over 100,000 won today, you’ll get a free tote bag as a gift!
B: Oh really? Then I’ll take another look around~


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 에코백 refers to a reusable cotton tote bag — made from cotton or canvas to reduce plastic and leather use. It’s considered an eco-friendly everyday bag that you can use again and again. Sometimes stores give them away as free gifts during promotions, and other times they’re sold as fashion accessories that match casual or minimalist styles. In English, eco bag isn’t wrong, but it’s more natural to say reusable tote bag or simply tote bag. So in Korea, say 에코백; in English, say tote bag or reusable bag.

  • 에코백 (eco bag) = tote bag / reusable bag


💜 Payback (Pe-i-baek, 페이백)


Situation
Two friends talking about a shopping deal online.

Dialogue
A: 이 카드로 결제하면 페이백 준대!
(i ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-ha-myeon pe-i-baek jun-dae!)
B: 오~ 얼마 돌려줘?
(o~ eol-ma dol-lyeo-jwo?)

Natural English
A: They’re offering a cashback if you pay with this card!
B: Oh really? How much do you get back?


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 페이백 means you get some money back after a purchase — similar to the term 캐시백 (cashback), which is also used in Korean stores and apps. However, in English, payback usually means **revenge** or **return on investment**, not a refund or reward. To sound natural, say cashback or rebate instead. So in Korea, say 페이백 or 캐시백; in English, say cashback.

  • 페이백 (payback) / 캐시백 (cashback) = cashback / rebate


💜 Time Sale (Ta-im-se-il, 타임세일)


Situation
Two friends shopping at a mall.

Dialogue
A: 지금 2시까지 타임세일 한대!
(ji-geum du-si-kka-ji ta-im-se-il han-dae!)
B: 진짜? 빨리 가자!
(jin-jja? ppal-li ga-ja!)

Natural English
A: They’re having a flash sale until 2 p.m.!
B: Really? Let’s hurry!


💛 Story Note
On Korean shopping apps in malls, 타임세일 means a short-time limited discount — often just a few hours. In English, we usually say flash sale or limited-time sale. So in Korea, say 타임세일; in English, say flash sale.

  • 타임세일 (time sale) = flash sale / limited-time offer


💜 One Plus One (Won-peul-leo-seu-won, 원플러스원)


Situation
Two friends at a convenience store.

Dialogue
A: 이 음료 원플러스원이래!
(i eum-nyo won-peul-leo-seu-won-i-rae!)
B: 진짜? 그럼 두 개 사서 나눠 먹자~
(jin-jja? geu-reom du-gae sa-seo na-nwo meok-ja~)

Natural English
A: This drink is buy one, get one free!
B: Really? Then let’s share them~


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 원플러스원 means “buy one, get one free” deals. The phrase looks English, but native speakers never say “one plus one.” So in Korea, say 원플러스원; in English, say buy one, get one free or two for one.

  • 원플러스원 (one plus one) = buy one, get one free / two for one


💜 FAQ: Konglish Shopping Terms in Korea


Q1) Does “Open Run (오픈런)” mean the same thing in English?
No. In English, an “open run” usually means something continues with no set end date (like a show). In Korea, 오픈런 means lining up before a store opens to grab popular or limited items.

Q2) What does “Event (이벤트)” mean in Korean stores?
In Korea, 이벤트 often means a promotion, giveaway, or special deal. In English, “event” usually means a planned occasion (concert, festival, etc.), so “promotion” is more natural.

Q3) Is “One Plus One (원플러스원)” always buy-one-get-one-free?
Most of the time, yes — 원플러스원 usually means buy one, get one free, especially at convenience stores. But some stores may apply it to selected items only, so it’s smart to check the label or the event sign.

Q4) What’s the difference between “Open Sale (오픈세일)” and “Time Sale (타임세일)”?
오픈세일 is a discount for a new store’s opening (an opening promotion). 타임세일 is a short limited-time discount (a flash sale), often for just a few hours.

Q5) Is “Payback (페이백)” the same as a refund?
Not exactly. In Korea, 페이백 usually means getting cashback or a rebate after purchase. It’s often a benefit from a card, app, or event — not a full refund.

Q6) Will I see these Konglish terms only in stores?
You’ll see them everywhere: store signs, shopping apps, online malls, cafés, and convenience stores. Learning these words helps you understand Korean shopping culture much faster.



💜 Quick Recap — Before You Go Shopping


  • 오픈세일 (open sale) = grand opening sale
  • 오픈런 (open run) = line up early
  • 이벤트 (event) = promotion / giveaway
  • 에코백 (eco bag) = tote bag / reusable bag
  • 페이백 (payback) = cashback / rebate
  • 타임세일 (time sale) = flash sale
  • 원플러스원 (one plus one) = buy one, get one free


💜 Final Thoughts


Now you can spot the difference between English and Konglish shopping terms like a pro! 🛍️ These expressions appear on store signs, shopping apps, and even at convenience stores, so learning them will make everyday shopping in Korea much easier.

Next time you see “이벤트” or “타임세일” signs while shopping in Korea, you’ll know exactly what they mean — and maybe even grab a few good deals while you're at it. 😉

With love,
한글리아 😊



Part 9 of the Konglish series — ← Previous: Part 8. 7 Konglish Korean Fashion Terms — From Crop-T (크롭티) to Stockings (스타킹) | → Next: Part 10. 7 Konglish Korean Café Words — From Latte (라테) to Ade (에이드)

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