Parents' date perfume class in Bukchon: mugwort & hanji, Muhwawon

Muhwawon Bukchon Perfume Workshop: location, hours and prices

• Address: 23 Yulgok-ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (3rd floor)
• Hours: Daily 12:00–22:00
• Prices: Premium perfume 50ml ₩49,000 / Premium car diffuser 120ml ₩59,000 / Premium diffuser 230ml ₩69,000

Why a couple with a kid picked a Bukchon perfume workshop for date day

We chose Muhwawon (무화원) as a date spot for a couple who finally left the kid with family and got some time alone. Today was our child-free date day! We couldn't decide where to go, so this time we saved up a little energy and headed all the way to Bukchon.

While looking for Bukchon date ideas, I saw that Muhwawon offers a one-of-a-kind perfume experience and booked right away. The last time we did anything like this was back when we were dating, so we went with half worry, half excitement.

Parking and how to get to Muhwawon

There's a parking lot right in front of the shop, and it's under 10 minutes on foot from the station, so getting there is easy. You enter a passcode at the bottom of the building (it's easy if you follow the text message they send), go up, and there's this classy, private shop.

Muhwawon's atmosphere and seating

The shop looks like a high-end select shop. The mix of black, white and gray adds to the luxe feel. There's plenty of seating, so groups of 10 or more can take the class too. For the first time in ages we sat side by side and listened to the explanation at a relaxed pace.

How does the perfume class start?

The class begins with a short survey. They also asked whether we wanted photos taken, and we said yes please. Being treated so kindly in such a tidy space melted our hearts, which had been worn down by parenting.

We got a short explanation of scent on a tablet. After learning the theory, like how a perfume is structured and how to build a scent, I understood a bit more about perfume I'd only ever consumed without thinking. So worthwhile!!

Think about the scent you want before you make your perfume

Please think about the scent you're after before you come to Muhwawon! I had one in mind, so I ticked my boxes smoothly. My husband improvised, and was baffled by his first blend. In the end the perfumer helped him find what he wanted, but if you at least bring a direction you like, you can cut down the deliberation time.

Korean scents only at Muhwawon: mugwort, hanji and herbal medicine

The most impressive thing about blending at Muhwawon is that, besides top, middle and base notes, there is a separate category of Korean scents. I'm the type (haha) who has a scent in mind but can't describe it, so I told the perfumer the closest one I could think of (Diptyque Eau Capitale). They picked up that it's a clean, cool floral, and, taking my taste into account, recommended scents that are clean and cozy with a slight coolness.

There were scents that sounded puzzling just from their names: wild grape (sanmeoru), mountain mugwort (sansseuk), sunhyang (incense stick), green tangerine, herbal medicine and more. But surprisingly (haha), they're so good!! I picked mountain mugwort and hanji (traditional Korean paper), and after several rounds my husband added herbal medicine, which gave his blend a luxurious, heavy depth. Unique Korean scents you only find here!!!

First blend with 7 ingredients, finished in 40 minutes

At Muhwawon, once you set the notes, the perfumer guides you to the scents you need and you fetch the matching ingredients. Aren't the ingredients so pretty...? I got immersed, science-experiment style, and started making.

I needed 7 ingredients in total. First I mixed them one drop each. I liked that the perfumer explained thoroughly why being precise matters and helped me.

The first round is to get a rough feel, and you adjust the ratio over the second and third rounds, but I was full after the first bite haha. 1:1:1... the ratio was totally my style. Naturally, since it's a collection of scents I love, mixing them made it even better. So I tried changing the ratio in round 2 and then went back to round 1. Haha. I finished a 1.5-hour class in 40 minutes...

My husband, not used to perfume, went to a third blend

My husband, on the other hand, found his first try sweeter than he expected, so he adjusted slowly with the perfumer. Through consultation he went on to rounds 2 and 3 and ended with a luxurious, masculine scent he loved. He doesn't usually wear fragrance so he must have been unsure, and I newly realized how impressive the perfumer is for guiding him, haha.

Doesn't it look like a real experiment?? Such a fun experience.

Finished perfume, naming it, and the event mini diffuser

At Muhwawon, once you finish measuring, the perfumers mix the solution to your ratio. And then you get this pretty perfume!!!! Once you give your finished perfume a name, that's the true final step.

We finished the 1.5-hour class with time to spare, and as an event they made us a diffuser from whichever of our 1st, 2nd or 3rd blends we liked best (a Naver review event). Perfume plus a mini diffuser! I was in the best mood.

After Muhwawon: Seosunra-gil and a Bukchon date course

Muhwawon is near Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon, so afterwards we strolled Seosunra-gil. It was a proper date day. (I tried Beatles Taco's main branch for the first time and it was seriously delicious.) For a Bukchon date course, I wholeheartedly recommend this!!!

They said we can wear the finished perfume after 2 weeks, so we can't wait these days. For anyone who needs a new date course like us, I definitely recommend the Muhwawon experience.