Recording history with teddy bears – Seoul Teddy Bear Museum features a bear version of PSY

▲Cute teddy bears take on Korean identities to introduce visitors to over 600 years of the country's history. (Photo / Reporter Wang Huiqi)

Reported by Wang Huiqi / Taipei

Situated beneath N Seoul Tower, one of Korea’s most famous landmarks, the Teddy Bear Museum is both charming and deeply educational. The teddy bears in the museum embody Koreans, helping visitors understand over 600 years of historical change in Korea. Here, you can find adorable teddy bears in various outfits, such as traditional hanbok and modern clothing, as well as bears showcasing different chapters of Korean history.

▲Upon entering the museum, you’re immediately greeted by a giant bear version of PSY – does this mean he’s earned his place in Korean history? (Photo / Wang Huiqi)

The Teddy Bear Museum is divided into two sections: Hall 1 and Hall 2, representing two distinctly different eras – tradition and modernity. As you step into the exhibit halls, you’ll see wall displays explaining Korea’s historical changes over the years. Although the Korean text may be indecipherable, the “bear illustrations” leave a lasting impression.

Teddy bears in hanbok seem to tell stories of Korean culture and daily life, while those in Japanese attire represent the era of Japanese invasion during wartime. Bears dressed in hip-hop fashion, breakdancing, symbolize modern Korea influenced by Western culture... Each teddy bear represents the life of Koreans in their respective eras and the history the people have experienced.


▲Teddy bears take you back to the history of Japanese military aggression in Korea during World War II (top left image); recently influenced by American culture, they begin breakdancing and spraying graffiti on walls. (Photos / Reporter Wang Huiqi))

Seoul’s Teddy Bear Museum is the third of its kind in Korea, following those in Jeju and Paju. It opened in December 2008 and not only displays many adorable little bears but also helps tourists learn more about Korea’s culture and history. Perhaps due to its proximity to the iconic N Seoul Tower, or maybe because of the teddy bears’ astonishing ability to captivate attention, the museum attracts a continuous stream of visitors on pilgrimages, making it a must-visit hotspot for many travelers to Seoul.

                      ▲The Teddy Bear Museum is located beneath N Seoul Tower, a famous Seoul landmark. (Photo / Wikimedia Commons)

[Teddy Bear Museum]

Address:1st Basement Floor, N Seoul Tower
Contact Number: +82-2-3789-8488 (Korean)
Visiting Hours: 10:00–22:00, extended to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays
Admission Fees:Regular Ticket: 8,000 KRW (approx. NT$229)