Is the Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju worth visiting?

teddy bear museum jeju review
We did a ‘saranghaeyo’ (I Love You) pose in front of the Teddy Bear Museum. Is the Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju worth visiting

Is the Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju worth visiting

When our tour guide first mooted the idea of visiting a teddy bear museum, I protested. I didn’t see the need to visit a museum of teddy bears, firstly because my favourite childhood toy was a big furry mouse, and secondly because I had come to Jeju to visit sites of natural beauty, and unlike the Jeju Loveland, felt that I was not able to appreciate teddy bears in their various shapes, sizes and costumes, no matter how I tried.

But still we went anyways, and at the entrance, we went on our own min-safari of sorts.

teddy bear museum jeju review
Our attempt at a Safari, at the Teddy Bear Museum.

The Exhibits

The exhibits were varied, though it made me think that I was in a plush toy shop for some reason. Some bears were in glass displays, others, life-sized ones, having a tea party. While I may discredit the concept of the Teddy Bear museum, I must say that some of the effort that has gone into putting up the exhibits is worth a ‘pat on the back’.

teddy bear museum jeju review
I must admit that the displays are somewhat interesting – but there is a limit to the number of costumes one can see on bears.
teddy bear museum jeju review
Didn’t like this.
teddy bear museum jeju review
An attempt at portraying a scene in Gulliver’s Travels. Not to bad I must say.
Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju worth visiting
I thought this scene and picture was not bad.
teddy bear museum jeju review
Where Teddys and their relevant accessories are made.
teddy bear museum jeju review
Alas, a fancy party scene with Teddys.
teddy bear museum jeju review
Gets kinda creepy after awhile.

Unfortunately, at the end of the short 10 minute work in the museum, I did not find out why Girls would like to visit teddy bear museums. All we saw were teddy bears in different outfits and sizes. The most alarming exhibit was that of a life-size teddy bear clad in a pink satin gown. Like in Enid Blyton tales, I felt that they could almost come alive in the evening.

The Souvenir Shop

I think the Souvenir Shop was a better ‘exhibit’ as there were more things to see. I suppose if you’re into ‘宫 Goong’ bears, made popular by the drama series ‘Princess Hours‘, the souvenir shop is a place which you could take them home. They are pricey though – I remembered one average sized bear priced at about 50,000 won.

Misrepresentation of bears from around the world

teddy bear museum jeju world
The bears of the world are interesting, but stereotypical at the same time.

So I thought the exhibit showcasing several teddy bears from different parts of the world was an attempt to go international, though I must say that it wasn’t done very well. For instance, the exhibit of the Indian teddy did not carry the flag of India, which comes in the colours of saffron, white and green, and instead, carried the flag of USA. When I look further, I realised that they were wearing the outfits of Red Indians, not so much that of India, where I would imagine the bear being clad in a Sari or a Punjabi suit. It made me think that the creator has got his head stuck in the 1800s, as conflicts and the resettlement of Native Americans took place mostly then.

teddy bear museum jeju world
What a misrepresentation. Is the creator living in the 1800s?
teddy bear museum jeju world
The Korean and Chinese teddy bear pair.

The few saving graces

teddy bear museum jeju review
The Vitruvian Teddy, referenced from Leonardo Da Vinc’s Vitruvian Man

To be fair, there were a few saving graces – which came in the form of teddy bears finding their way to international paintings, such as the Mondrian, and The Vitruvian Teddy, referenced from Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. I thought they were cute additions to the painting, and made one think about wanting to find out more about them.

Should you be curious, The Vitruvian Man which is translated to “The proportions of the human body according to Vitruvius”), is a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci. It is accompanied by notes based on the work of the architect Vitruvius. The drawing, depicts a man in two superimposed positions with his arms and legs apart and inscribed in a circle and square. It was meant to represent the proportions of the human body, based on Leonardo’s observations on human anatomy.

teddy bear museum jeju mondrian
An interesting highlight to this Mondrian.
teddy bear museum jeju world
The bears of the world are interesting, but stereotypical at the same time.

 The Travelling Squid’s Take

The Teddy Bear museum is by far, my least favourite place given that there was little value to be derived from it. Apart from the cute touches to famous pieces of art, I wasn’t very amused when I saw the ‘Indian’ label and American flag marked on the teddy bear pair.

Like both the Ice and Trickeye museum, I felt this museum had little education value, and didn’t understand why would girls, or even children would enjoy the place. I suppose if you’re big teddy bear fan, it would have been nice, but otherwise I don’t see any value visiting stuffed leopards, monkeys and bears. You’re better off visiting the zoo.