Korean Job Discussion Forums

starshine · Joined: 01 Dec 2005

my best friend collects teddy bears from around the world for her daughter, and i'd like to get her one from korea. i know there is a museum in jeju, but that's too far to go. does anyone know where i can get one around the seoul area? obviously it would have to be adorned in a hanbok or have a cheesy shirt that says 'someone in korea loves you';it can't just be a plain teddy bear. if you have any ideas, let me know. thank you very much; i appreciate your help!

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

dont ask how i know this but there is a build a bear store in that meg-mall next to the express bus terminal in kangnam. you can get it built with a hanbok

(actually my wife got one for her niece there, thats how i know)

willneverteachagain · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

some of the places in itaewon or insa-dong who sell the korean dolls might have bears like that. I would check insa dong first

tomato · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:39 am Post subject:

It is surprising that so many Koreans call them teddy bears.
The teddy bear is named after Teddy Roosevelt, and Teddy Roosevelt should be a villain in the point of view of the Koreans.
TR was one of the signators at a summit conference which authorized Japan to colonize Korea.

starshine · Joined: 01 Dec 2005

i haven't seen any in itaewon or insadong. i will definitely check the build-a-bear at the mall. thanks for the tip! i appreciate it!

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:51 am Post subject:

tomato · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 2:06 am Post subject:

When I lived in Hongseong in the province of Chungnam,
there was a small store which sold nothing but teddy bears.
I don't remember specifically where, though.
Hongseong is about an hour and a half from Seoul.

If you can't find a place closer, I hope this will help at least some.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

You are so in luck... until Wednesday (21st), there is a teaddy bear exhibition at COEX (Convention Hall, 3rd Floor)!!!!!!!

www.teddyfriends.co.kr

Also, according to the Teddy Bear Museum website, they have two shops on mainland Korea. One in Seoul and the other in Daegu. The one in Seoul is in the Gwanghwamun Kyobo bookstore.... and the one in Daegu is also in the Kyobo bookstore. May be you should take a look.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

denistron · Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Location: Busan

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 11:00 pm Post subject:

build-a-bear has a korean website and it lists the various outlets around the city.