Day 13: With My Bear Hands

Princess Hours (궁 in Korean) is a popular Korean drama (and actually Manhwa/ graphic novel) that aired in early 2006. It depicts a fictional 21st century Korea that still has a monarch in place (the monarch was dissolved during the Japanese occupation and never regained power after 1945) and the love story between the Crowned Prince and the newly Crowned Princesses. In the drama, a central image and item is a teddy bear that the Crowned Prince has, and has had for nearly his entire life, representing the only 'thing' he can express his true emotions and self to. Imagine if Prince William had a teddy bear that he talked to on a daily basis; same concept. The teddy bear is actually part of a famous brand and also incorporated into the Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju Island. The picture here is not that bear, nor was it taken on Jeju Island. This is perhaps my favorite teddy bear: Secret Service Teddy Bear. I took this picture at N Seoul Tower, which also has a moderately-sized Teddy Bear Museum that depicts Korean history and culture using teddy bears. I must say, at first I was skeptical about this place, when I first went and heard of it, but when I actually went through it I was very impressed, and charmed, especially at this bear. The Teddy Bear Museum, be it the one in Seoul or Jeju Island, is a must for anyone, because nothing depicts Korean history and culture quite like adorably dressed teddy bears.