Brand Comparison
Su:m37° vs Beauty of Joseon
A head-to-head comparison of two popular K-beauty brands. Which one is right for your skin?
Our Pick
Beauty of Joseon
Higher editor rating (9 vs 8.6)
Su:m37°
Su:m37° bet its entire identity on one idea: ferment everything, for exactly 365 days, and don't add synthetic preservatives. The Secret Essence is what happens when that philosophy actually works — a naturally-fermented essence with legitimate cult status. Not cheap, not preachy, and the formulas have held up for 15+ years.
Pros
- ✓ Serious fermentation science
- ✓ Minimal synthetic preservatives
- ✓ Cult Secret Essence
Cons
- ✗ Luxury pricing
- ✗ Heavy natural fragrance
- ✗ Spa-lady packaging
Beauty of Joseon
Beauty of Joseon has quietly become one of the most impressive value propositions in K-beauty. Their Relief Sun is arguably the best budget sunscreen globally, and the Glow Serum delivers genuine results at a price that undercuts competitors by half. The hanbang angle could be gimmicky, but they back it with solid formulation science.
Pros
- ✓ Exceptional price-to-performance ratio
- ✓ Relief Sun SPF 50+ is a standout product
- ✓ Hanbang ingredients backed by real formulation
- ✓ Elegant textures despite budget pricing
Cons
- ✗ Limited product range compared to larger brands
- ✗ Hanbang marketing can feel vague
- ✗ Some products sell out frequently
