Korean gift ideas, reflecting the country's character, culture, style
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The markets and shopping centers of Korea are rich with unique treats reflecting the country’s character, culture and style.
No matter your price, finding a variety of Korean gifts for friends back in the United States is easy. The following is a sampling of readily available gifts:
¶ Paper lamps: These wooden lamps with rice paper sides used to be ubiquitous in Korea. The modernized version — with an electric light bulb — can be found in AAFES Gallery at Yongsan Garrison on main post. The lamps often have Chinese or Korean writing and resemble traditional houses, ranging in price from $65 to $105.
¶ Emille bells: The original bell from the Shilla Dynasty was composed of 1,000 tons of copper and called the Great King Sungduk Bell. King Kyongduk ordered it in honor of his father. Models of these bells make nice trinkets, and range in price from $13 to $50. They are available at the Gallery.
¶ Custom-made clothes: If you’ve ever taken a stroll through Seoul’s Itaewon section, chances are hawkers have tried to get you to buy a tailor-made suit. It’s no ploy: Some of the finest tailors are right outside the gate of many U.S. installations.
From leather jackets to shoes to suits and dresses, you can get individualized clothes for much less than you may think. Pick out the fabric and the style, and the clothes will hug you better than anything you’ve bought off the rack.
Prices vary according to fabrics, but suits can start at $110 and go higher, depending on your demands. Leather jackets can be custom-designed with the name of your favorite sports team, creating a one-of-a-kind item.
Itaewon has dozens of tailors, but many say those outside Osan Air Base and Camp Casey in Tongduchon have the best prices. Tailors can whip up the clothes in as few as two days to a week, so plan accordingly.
¶ Faux mink blankets: Rarely purchased by Koreans, these fluffy, thick blankets are marketed more to foreign visitors to Korea. Dragon-themed and tiger designs are readily available along with plain ones. When the winter cold is real, perhaps faux mink will be just the thing. They’re sold on Yongsan at the AAFES Gallery, Itaewon and outside base gates throughout the country. Prices range from $18 to $25 depending on size.
¶ Desk nameplates: Popular with anyone who slaves in an office, they are inscribed with brass or oyster shell letters on solid wood. Made at the Gallery with prices from $25 to $40.
¶ Ginseng: Prized by Koreans for its healing health properties, tall glass bottles with this gnarled, twisty root can be found all over Itaewon.
Also sold are a variety of health drinks, teas and even liquors with ginseng. Prices range from $2.50 for tea packages to $32 for bottles with a chunky root inside.
¶ Scarves: A popular winter accessory is the Burberry plaid scarf, made by the British clothing company. But close inspection by scarf experts will find most of the Burberrys sold here are fake.
At least the garment serves the same function. Available widely from Itaewon street vendors for about $3.50.
Choe Song-won contributed to this report.
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