Beginner perfume workshop in Bukchon, Seoul: couple's 1:1 class, UMTM

Can a couple who knows nothing about perfume make one at UMTM in Bukchon?

UMTM (움틈) is a reservation-only 1:1 perfume workshop in Bukchon, near Anguk Station, and even my husband and I, who know nothing about perfume, finished a signature scent with the perfumer leading us. We had only ever used ready-made perfumes, so we were full of worries before booking. What if we couldn't make the scent we wanted and it was a waste of money... maybe we should just buy a perfume, haha. That kind of thing.

But the visit to UMTM in Bukchon made those worries seem silly, because the perfumer's careful guidance got us to a perfume we loved. Here's my honest, detailed review of how even beginners can get their own signature scent. :)

UMTM at a glance: location, hours and price

Here's a quick summary for busy people. The UMTM program is ₩50,000 per person and you make one 50ml perfume plus 2 mini samples.

• Location: 2F, 29-1 Samcheong-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• Hours: daily 10:00–20:00 (1:1 by reservation only)
• Program: one 50ml perfume + 2 mini samples (₩50,000 per person)
• Features: 45 premium fragrance oils, 1:1 guidance from a perfumer, naming and labeling included

What's the atmosphere like at UMTM in Bukchon?

UMTM is on the second floor of a building you reach by walking from Anguk Station along the alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village. The moment you step inside, the harmonious white and wood-tone interior really leaves an impression.

It already smelled so good on the stairs up, which put me in a great mood before we even started. Every reagent bottle was neatly kept and the table was tidy without a speck of dust, so you can tell the owner is meticulous and cares about hygiene.

How perfume making works at UMTM

The session goes in this order: choosing a scent mood, smelling the oils, the perfumer's analysis, adjusting a 1st and 2nd draft, then measuring and labeling. My husband and I knew almost nothing about perfume, so at first we had no idea which oils to mix. But the owner explained everything kindly from the basics, step by step, and we got absorbed in it quickly.

Let me walk you through the process! First, you roughly choose the mood of the scent you want to make.

Step 1: Waking up your senses with 45 fragrance oils

Step one is waking up your senses. You smell as many as 45 premium fragrance oils one by one and pick the TOP, MIDDLE and BASE notes your nose is instinctively drawn to. If your sense of smell gets numb partway through, sniffing the coffee beans they have ready resets it. So cool!

Step 2: The perfumer's first blending guide

Step two is the expert's analysis. The owner studies the character of the oils we picked and sets up a first blending guide. She suggests things like "a few drops of this oil in this scent will make it feel much more refined," and when I followed along, amazingly the scent I wanted came together.

Step 3: The 2nd draft, adjusting details drop by drop

Step three is fine-tuning. Based on the first draft, you add drop by drop to reflect your own taste in the 2nd draft! You can boost whatever felt lacking in the first or any scent you want more of. The owner keeps checking the balance of the blend beside you, so even we, who know nothing about scents, could blend without worrying about ruining it.

Final measuring, labeling and choosing a cap

At UMTM, the oils are weighed on a precision scale according to the final recipe, then alcohol is added to complete the perfume. Lastly, you label it with a name you came up with yourself, and

Ta-da! Isn't it so pretty?! T_T It's just a sticker and it looks this good. You can pick the cap too. There were so many kinds that I agonized over it for ages.

The print quality and the cap on the bottle are so good that it looks like a brand-name product. There's a photo zone inside the shop too, so I took some pictures, haha. Don't they come out great???!!

How was the lasting power and what's included?

I wore the perfume I made at UMTM for a day and the lasting power is really good. The lingering scent stayed for a long time, so I felt good all day. Besides the 50ml bottle, they also wrap up the 2 mini samples from the 1st and 2nd test drafts nicely.

I'm going to carry the samples in my bag. The size is just right! For ₩50,000 you take home 3 perfumes in total, which is such a steal, haha. Great value and great satisfaction. And here it is, all packaged up!

Once it was all packaged I felt quite proud. The scent came out exactly the one I wanted, so I was really happy, hehe. I'm going to wear it every day!

Handy tips before you try the UMTM workshop

If you're planning to try a perfume workshop, please read this! The key is to measure boldly, visit after a meal near Anguk Station, and say clearly what you like.

1. Measure boldly

If you add oil with the dropper too cautiously, one tiny drop at a time, the scale can be slow to register the weight. The tip is to pump boldly at first, following the owner's guidance!

2. Plan your Bukchon date route

UMTM is in a spot that's perfect for a stroll from Exit 1 of Anguk Station, so I recommend eating first and then arriving for your reservation time.

3. Be confident even if you don't know scents

The owner's blending guidance is really accurate. Just tell her clearly what you like and she'll find the way like magic.

Why UMTM makes a great Bukchon date in Seoul

UMTM was more than a simple activity. It was a perfect Bukchon date where we shared our scent tastes and had real conversations. At first my husband couldn't be bothered to go, but he ended up loving it and saying it was so much fun, lol. Once there, he worked harder at it than I did..;;

It was a precious time filled with a special fragrance. When the seasons change, we plan to go back and make a scent with a different mood. Highly recommended for anyone on a date ^_^