The incredibly bizarre Gyeongju Teddy Bear Museum combines themed zones like dinosaurs and mermaids.

Text and photos by Wu Binghuan

When people talk about teddy bear museums in Korea, they often think of those in Seoul or Jeju Island, but what you may not know is that the historic city of Gyeongju also has its own teddy bear museum.

▲ Gyeongju Teddy Bear Museum

Gyeongju City in North Gyeongsang Province was once the capital of the Silla Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period. With its rich history, culture, and beautiful scenery, it also built its very own teddy bear museum in 2011. The popular Korean variety show “Running Man” was once filmed here, making it one of the must-visit spots when traveling to Gyeongju.

Just like other teddy bear museums have their own unique features, Gyeongju’s museum also stands out. As soon as you reach the entrance, you’ll see teddy bears dressed as Silla soldiers guarding the entire museum, while inside, the venue is divided into several themed exhibition areas.

First, you’ll pass through the Dinosaur World Adventure Zone, which begins with a professor giving a lecture and indoor displays of archaeological ruins. Then come teddy bear and dinosaur exhibits (the teddy bears appear to be adventurers, archaeologists, and paleontologists), including scenes of teddy bears roping dinosaurs and having barbecues in the primeval jungle.

▲ Seeing the Dinosaur World Adventure Zone, doesn’t it feel like the cute teddy bears suddenly become quite human-like—or even a little gory?

▲ At the end, there are displays of antique-style dinosaur specimens that carry an educational message.

Next comes the Underwater Adventure Zone, where a colorful light display recreates the underwater world, and the background music switches to “Under the Sea,” the theme song from *The Little Mermaid*, creating a cheerful atmosphere. It's sometimes hard to tell which is a teddy bear and which is a polar bear. There are also elaborately designed displays of folktales, including the Dragon King, Dragon Palace, and soldiers. The grand finale is the graceful teddy bear mermaid, whose unique design is truly eye-catching.

▲ Is it hard to tell whether it’s a polar bear or a teddy bear?

▲ The teddy bear mermaid actually has a uniquely charming allure, but her design is unexpectedly eerie yet strangely fitting.

Then you’ll enter the “Silla Zone,” where Silla soldiers stand guard on both sides of the entrance. Inside, there are many teddy bears with different themes that explain the historical background, culture, and architectural heritage of the Silla Dynasty in detail—such as the construction of Bulguksa Temple, devout worshippers gathering around Seokgatap Pagoda, miniature Seokguram Grotto, Queen Seondeok’s procession near Cheomseongdae Observatory, and battle scenes between the Silla and Baekje kingdoms.

▲ Teddy bears dressed in ancient attire are not only cute but also clearly showcase the history and culture of Silla.

Finally, you’ll arrive at the “Gallery,” featuring replicas of world-famous sculptures—all with teddy bear faces. These include *The Pietà*, *David*, and the *Winged Victory of Samothrace*. To be honest, the combination of teddy bear faces and muscular physiques is quite amusing. However, those familiar with art might find it a bit unsettling or even consider it a spoof of classic works.

▲ The Teddy Bear Gallery—how many world-famous artworks can you recognize?

Since I’m not a huge fan of teddy bears, I thought I wouldn’t spend much time here, but I ended up staying for nearly two hours. This shows that the teddy bear museum is definitely one of the must-do activities when visiting Gyeongju. In a way, themes like teddy bears taming dragons, dressing as mermaids, or transforming into world-famous sculptures may seem a bit bizarre, but on the other hand, each section is well explained, making it a great educational and entertaining spot for kids. I think that’s why the Gyeongju Teddy Bear Museum chose these themes rather than focusing solely on teddy bears representing Silla history.

▲ The lighting effect at the museum entrance at night also gives off a slightly eerie vibe.

▲ Those who have watched the historical drama *Queen Seondeok* probably won’t find Silla unfamiliar.

▲ The most common teddy bear design.

▲ Teddy bears of Steve Jobs and Charlie Chaplin.

▲ Although teddy bear designs like the mermaid and David might seem a bit strange, the museum still has plenty of cute teddy bears too.