My Shoes Brought Me to South Korea: Teddy Bear Overload

Why South Korea is so fascinated about Teddy bears?

Why the government cared enough to build Teddy Bear Museums?

I myself, doesn't know.. 

Come visit the teddy bear farm in South Korea through my eyes...

There are 3 big Teddy Bear museums that can be found in South Korea. One is located at the Jeju Island, 2^nd is at the Mt. Seorak and 3^rd is located at Gyeongju. What I’ve seen was the Mt. Seorak Teddy Bear Museum..

Join me as we explore the handcrafted bears by JS&F’s most experienced designers.

I had the idea of Teddy bear museum in Korea when I watched the TV series, “Goong” (The Princess Hours), where the Princess and the Queen visited the museum at Jeju Island. At first, I thought, it was just a fictional part of the story and later on I found out that there is really an authentic museum created and to my surprise, those museums were actually functioning and open to the public.

Those museums were open everyday (weekdays or weekends) from 9:00 AM – 8:00 pm, sometimes extending up to 10 pm closing time during summer, depending on the location.

Welcome to Mt. Seorak Teddy Bear Farm!

It was Spring time, when we visited the place, but its so cold.. (brrrrr). Because it is located in Mt. Seorak, lowest temperature at that time was 11 C and highest will be 18 C.

I thought it was just a collection of teddy bears.. but am wrong, every exhibit depicts history and story.

The 4 seasons of Korea was also well represented, that at the end of  roaming around, you’ll realize that you have been to 4 different seasons.

fall.. with autumn leaves

winter season

How Teddy Bear Got its name?

The reason behind Teddy bear being called “Teddy” bear was also well explained in the museum. Well, I know, we all have a grasp of the story. It was named after President Theodore Roosevelt, the 26^th American President who refused to shoot a bear cub. The story spread rapidly and people since then started making bear toys  and named it “Teddy” bear.

the article am pointing to was the story of how Teddy bear got its name.    

This museum doesn’t only showcase Korea’s own story but give tribute to other countries as well.

(examples are seen below)

 

We don’t have this kind of museum in my country. Fascinating, that by just looking at all these well handcrafted bears of different sizes from smallest to biggest, they will bring out the child inside you.  I do have bears in my room, but they were chosen randomly, arranged erratically and bought aimlessly. But those bears I’ve seen in this farm, they were thought about, arranged systematically, presented the best way they can for people to see.

I will definitely visit another museum, maybe sometime in the future..

till next time, Teddy Bear Farm

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