Korean Job Discussion Forums

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Well after two years in Korea, I'm going home to Canada on March 2nd. I may end up in Seoul again, but for a while, I'll be home. I need a break, and have tons of weddings I have to attend.

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions of what I can bring home for family and friends that is "Korean"?

I've been to Insadong, and got some of those scroll paintings, some small pottery, handmade necklaces, tea, etc. But does anyone else have any more unique suggestions? Keep in mind that I don't want anything too huge to ship or pack, and I don't want to break the budget either. Basically I'm looking for big bang for the buck. Something that looks Korean and impressive, but not too expensive.

Any ideas?
I'd greatly appreciate it!
Smile

NightSky · Joined: 19 Apr 2005

Do you like those lacquer boxes, for putting trinkets and jewelry in?

If you go to a temple, sometimes the temple gift shops have really cool stuff--handmade paintings, bracelets, etc. for not too much. You can get paintings of your Chinese horoscope animal.

Corky · Joined: 06 Jan 2004

Korean handmade paper is a winner for craft-minded friends.

PainterJane · Joined: 18 Jul 2007

You mentioned that you have a lot of weddings to attend... you could get some of the "marriage ducks" (I don't know the proper name for them). That would be a unique gift that is "Korean". You can get hand-painted ones in Insadong done by some famous artist for only 30,000 won and they're not too big, so they can be easily shipped or packed.

When I went home I took some of those squishy pigs (you know, the ones that you throw and they flatten and then go back to their original shape) and strangely enough they were the most popular gift. Kimchi chocolates because of their "fear factor" were also pretty popular.

supernaut · Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Location: Nova Scotia

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Thanks for the great suggestions so far! Smile

The chocolates are a great idea. I sent home a box of the red pepper chocolates and they were a huge hit. This time I think I'm going to get some of the cactus ones and some kimchi ones. We'll see how those go over.

Supernaut - thanks for the compliment, however I fear unless you are super bendy and packable, and very light (luggage weight restrictions and all), it will be pretty difficult to pull off. Wink

If you've got any more ideas, bring'em on!
Smile

nomad-ish · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject:

where did you find cactus and kimchi chocolates??

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I've seen them at the airport, which is where I am going to get mine before I take off.

You can get the jeju orange chocolates, jeju cactus chocolates (purple in the middle), kimchi chocolates, hot pepper chocolates, ginseng chocolates, ginger chocolates. Crazy combinations. The hot pepper ones are apparently very good according to everyone at home.

nomad-ish · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

A really easy thing to carry and something that people really like is the white paper with black ink - Chinese characters that people frame and hang on their walls...pretty cheap and you can fold or roll them up for easy transport.

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

No problem! Smile

Anyone else have any ideas?

shipley · Joined: 14 Dec 2007

the small fans you can find are a hit with a lot of my female friends

so are original korean landscape coasters

a little bit more expensive, but the korean style dressing gowns were really impressive to my mom and best friend

you can get scrolls with names written in them which were nice

some of the traditional drums for those musically inclined

the masks were also a big hit

and, of course, the decorative chopsticks - i bought a ton of them and then when there's someone you forgot to give a gift to, or to even use as decorations on the outside of presents, they're there!

Natalia · Joined: 10 Mar 2006

I know it's already been mentioned, but mother of pearl lacquer items were the most popular presents I gave to people.

If you don't want something as big as a box, you could get key rings or mirrors or letter openers or something. They do just about everything in that style now.

They look more expensive than they are too - I think people were impressed with that. Wink

They are traditionally Korean, but also something you could actually use or have on display. I'm not a fan of souvenirs that look like 'souvenirs'.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

For like 15,000 won you can get a nicely decorated sushi dish with kewl chop stiks. Great for newly weds needing to add flavor to a new house or apt.