Hongdae Perfume Workshop Parfum9: A Beginner-Friendly Custom Perfume Experience

Hello, this is Miracle Roa.

I love perfume, but if someone asks me to explain top, middle, and base notes, I suddenly run out of words.

Making perfume also sounded like something only people with a trained nose could do. I was honestly worried that mixing fragrances myself might produce something confusing and unwearable.

After visiting Parfum9 in Hongdae, however, I realized that the process could be surprisingly approachable even for a complete beginner.

Here is the conclusion first: I liked the perfume I created more than many ready-made perfumes I had used before. That result surprised me too.

The information and prices above were checked in August 2026. Please confirm the latest details before visiting.

From Hongik University Station Exit 9, walk toward the main Hongdae area. Turn right near the building with Coffee Bean on the second floor, continue for roughly 100 meters, and look for the second-floor studio in the building opposite Songgyeyuk.

The atmosphere won me over immediately

Parfum9 is spacious, comfortable, and visually appealing. Rows of fragrance bottles make the room feel special before the actual class even begins.

The studio feels trendy, slightly exotic, and full of places where visitors can take memorable photos. It is more than a classroom where you simply make one item and leave. It feels like a cultural experience built around fragrance, conversation, and photography.

I arrived a little earlier than my reservation, which turned out to be a good decision.

While waiting, I could explore the Parfum Gallery, where fragrances selected for the season and current trends were displayed. If you enjoy browsing perfumes, arriving with a little extra time makes the visit even better.

The experience itself also creates plenty of conversation. Rather than simply producing a bottle, you spend an hour discovering what you actually like.

That is why this Hongdae perfume workshop works so well as a date idea.

Why the process works for complete beginners

My favorite part was that I was not asked to create a perfume from dozens of raw materials with no direction.

The process begins with approximately 20 pre-blended base fragrances inspired by well-known perfume styles. You smell them first and choose the one that feels closest to your taste.

The selected base determines more than 70 percent of the final character.

Next, you smell about 30 individual notes and choose four to personalize the base.

You combine and test notes from the top, middle, and last-note groups until the fragrance begins to feel like your own.

A polished perfume base + four notes I selected = my signature perfume

This structure removed much of the pressure. A knowledgeable fragrance coordinator stayed nearby, explained each scent clearly, and helped adjust the blend without taking over the decision.

The class felt less like being told the correct answer and more like being guided toward my own preference.

I was also told not to overthink a scent that felt merely “okay.” When I truly liked something, my reaction was much more immediate.

Coffee beans were available whenever my nose needed a short reset. The full class took about one hour, so I never felt rushed while comparing fragrances.

Top, middle, and base notes finally made sense

The detailed explanation was another highlight of the class.

I had seen the terms top, middle, and base notes many times, but I had never understood why they were separated. The coordinator explained the order in which a perfume develops in a clear, beginner-friendly way.

• Top notes are the first scents perceived immediately after spraying.
• Middle notes appear next and form the central character of the perfume.
• Last or base notes remain longer and help support the overall balance.

I also learned that ethanol does more than dilute fragrance oil. As it evaporates, it helps carry aromatic molecules into the air.

These were questions I had quietly wondered about without ever taking the time to research. Understanding them changed the way I looked at perfume.

The ingredients, bottle, and spray all mattered

Before the visit, I assumed the fragrance formula was the only thing that mattered. The class showed me that the bottle and atomizer also affect the finished experience.

According to the explanation at the studio, Parfum9 uses fine fragrance oil sourced from Europe, high-quality perfume bottles made in Korea, and premium atomizers from Europe and Korea.

When I sprayed the finished perfume, the mist felt soft and full rather than coming out as a harsh, narrow stream. That small detail made the final bottle feel more polished.

I should have chosen the Extra Parfum upgrade

The class also covered fragrance concentrations such as eau de cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and extra parfum.

The standard formula was described as roughly 10 percent fragrance concentration, while the Extra Parfum option was approximately 20 percent. The main difference was explained as longer wear rather than simply making the scent overwhelmingly strong.

I made the standard version. Once I realized how much I liked my finished fragrance, I started thinking, “I should have upgraded to Extra Parfum.” If I return, I will seriously consider it.

The perfume also needs time to mature:

• Gently shake it about once a day for the first two days.
• After around five days, the initial alcohol impression begins to soften.
• After approximately one month, the blend becomes more fully matured.
• Store it in a cool place away from direct sunlight and high temperatures.

These are the guidelines I received at Parfum9. Actual performance can vary depending on skin and storage conditions.

Even the packaging felt special

When I smelled the finished blend, I finally understood the appeal of creating a perfume in person. It was not simply a broadly pleasant fragrance. It reflected a series of choices I had made myself.

The result suited my taste better than many commercial perfumes I had tried. The perfume and room spray were then placed in a beautiful box, making the final moment feel like receiving a gift.

The scent was meaningful, the packaging was attractive, and I had made it myself. Those details made the experience especially satisfying.

Who would enjoy this Hongdae perfume workshop?

Parfum9 would be a lovely date activity because couples can choose scents for each other and talk about what feels most suitable.

I would like to return with my husband and create fragrances while thinking about each other. It would also work well with a friend or a parent. The large studio can accommodate groups, making it suitable for gatherings or cultural activities as well.

Anyone who enjoys fragrance and is not highly sensitive to scented products could have fun here, regardless of age or who they visit with.

The studio was inviting, the explanation was detailed, the process was approachable, and the result genuinely matched my taste.

If you are looking for a memorable workshop or an unusual date in Hongdae, Parfum9 offers a relaxed way to discover your own signature scent.

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