Technical Difficulties on Little Seouls Website

We apologize but our website is currently experiencing technical difficulties with our server. If you would like to order something or have any questions about our products, please email us at help@littleseouls.com.

We are working to remedy this situation and we apologize for the inconvenience.

UPDATE: The store is up and running now. If you experience any difficulty, please contact us. Thank you!

Ddung Dolls

Ddung dolls are huge in Korea. They're tiny (the biggest ones are about 5 inches tall). I know if there was a Ddung store near me, I would be a collector! They are the cutest thing! The closest thing I can compare it to are Beanie Babies here in the US. Just like they retire Beanie Babies, they do the same with the Ddung dolls, which make them more collectible. They kinda remind me of our Little Seouls characters, don't you think? Check out the Ddung website!

We've got Hanskin BB Cream!

What is a BB cream?

The BB cream is the hottest trend in beauty products right now in Asia. The product was created in Germany and used by dermatologists to help patients soothe and regenerate the skin after laser skin surgery. Soon after, Korean celebrities started using the cream and a craze was born. Cosmetic companies then took the idea and created what is now the BB Cream phenomenon. The reason why the cream is so popular is that it is suitable for all skin types, even those with sensitive and acne-prone skin. It's a makeup and skincare product in one. It can actually improve the overall texture and diminish acne scars after prolonged use. It also acts like a foundation without the heavy caked-on look.

The BB cream is similar to tinted moisturizers but the difference is that BB cream give better coverage and has all the benefits such as healing, concealing, moisturizing, whitening, soothing skin tone imperfections and sunscreen.

Hanskin was the Original creator of the BB Cream in Korea and has won many awards, including the Brand of the Year 2007 and the World Prestigious Brand Award in 2008.
Available for $24.99. Click here to order.

Towel Cakes for Baby Showers

My friend recently had a baby shower at a Tea Room and she used towel cakes to decorate the table. The towel cakes were also used as a party favor. Aren't they cute with the floral tag?

Blanket Vest 이불조끼

For the past year, Korea has been into these blanket vests (literal translation). They're like the sleep sack but they open up at the bottom but has a button on the bottom so it stays put. Makes for easy diaper changes! Kids of all ages wear this to sleep. Great for the summer since it's light yet keeps your babies warm.

Hutos: A Korean Toddler Cartoon

Hutos, The Flying House is an adorable Korean animation that is educational and entertaining for children 0 to 3 years of age. Here is a clip of Hutos, The Flying House.



We just added these DVDs to our store. You can purchase them here.

Seoul's 7th International Duk Fair

At this year's Duk Fair, there were many beautiful duk designs! Here are just a few of my favorites:







Here, the kids are learning how to make duk.

If you're ever interested in learning more about the tradition of duk-making and are in Korea, check out The Institute of Traditional Korean Food. A definite place to visit to learn more about the history of Korean cooking.

Pictures taken by Soo Hyang Choi (www.seriouseats.com)

Wonder Girls on Tour with Jonas Brothers

We can't believe that the biggest boy band in America has teamed up with the biggest girl band in Korea, the Wonder Girls!

Here's a clip of their most popular song, "Tell me" that has gained popularity even among young children in Korea.




To learn more about them and their tour schedule, click here.

i-Phyeonhae Korean Baby Carrier

i-Phyeonhae has come out with a new design...very similar to the Ergo. I really like the Korean words on the carrier. If you're interested, let us know! We can special order it for you. One size. Has adjustable straps. Comes with side pouch. The price is $119 with free shipping. It can take up to 2 weeks since it's coming from Korea. Email us at help@littleseouls.com to order.

Jeff Miller Photography

If you're in the Madison, WI area and looking for a photographer, contact Jeff Miller Photography.

Here's a picture he took of his son in one of our hanboks for his dol.

Want to learn how to cook Korean?

If you're near the Los Angeles area, there is a place that offers Korean Cooking courses. When I spoke with them, they said they even offer Korean cooking classes for those that do not speak Korean. You can contact them for more info at 213-368-2545. They are located at 690 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90005. The cost for 1 day is about $100. For 4 weeks, it's about $280.

The next class starts Monday, June 29th.

If you know of other Korean cooking classes, please let us know so we can list them on our blog.

Update of another class:

2551 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057 (213) 386-2727

Korean Traditions around Postpartum Care

Recently a lot of our friends have been having babies. The other day I visited my friend at the hospital and I noticed she was drinking iced juice. My Korean radar went out as my mind has been fed with the notion that mothers postpartum are not supposed to drink anything cold. Koreans believe that the body needs to be kept "warm" and the mother is to avoid anything cold, including taking a shower. My mother in law would always say that if I don't practice keeping my body warm, then I will have body aches the rest of my life when it is "cold."

However, the most widely practiced Korean belief with regards to postpartum care would be the consumption of seaweed soup (Mi yuk gook). I often hear stories of my friends who are so tired of eating Mi yuk gook but are forced to continue eating it by their Korean mothers .

I have included a great article written by Joong Ang Daily News regarding the traditional practices on postpartum care in Korea. Click here for the actual article.

Dosirak Lunch Boxes Now Available

Since we blogged so much on dosiraks, we decided to have them available at Little Seouls. These are great for picnics and school lunches!

Follow us on Twitter!

We are now on Twitter! Follow us to get the latest and up to date info on our newest products! Click here to follow!

Cute Chopstick and Spoon Sets Now Available

We have just added these to our store! Perfect for your child's lunchbox or a gift idea! Click here for more info.

MullyBeans

Please check out our new collection of hair pins by Mullybeans! They were created by a friend of ours, Joanne Cho. Here are a few designs from her Korean collection she made just for Little Seouls! By the way, the name Mullybeans actually means hairpins in Korean (muhri bins). Love the name!

Kkachi Durumagi

Kkachi durumagi is a children's colorful overcoat in hanbok, Korean traditional clothing, which was worn on Seolnal, New Year's Day in the Lunar calendar.^[1] It was worn mostly by young boys^[2] and literally means "a magpie's overcoat". The clothes is also called obangjang durumagi which denotes "an overcoat of five directions".^[3] It was worn over jeogori (a jacket) and jokki (a vest) while the wearer could put jeonbok (a long vest) over it. Kkachi durumagi was also worn along with headgear such as bokgeon (a peaked cloth hat^[4][5]), hogeon (peaked cloth hat with a tiger pattern) for young boys or gulle (decorative headgear) for young girls.^[6][7]

Etymology and color

A mannequin wearing a blue jeonbok over a kkachi durumagi, and baji (pants), hogeon (a hat) on the head and beoseon (socks) on the feet

The name is composed of the two words in Korean; kkachi referring to Korean Magpie^[3] and durumagi, a type of overcoat.^[6] In Korean mythology, magpies are regarded as auspicious messenger delivering good news but also a provider of prosperity and development.^[8][9]. The date before Seolnal has been referred to as "Kkachi Seolnal" (kkachi's new year's day). The overcoat was named after the bird to reflect the folk belief because children longed for the cheerful holiday's coming.^[3]

Kkachi durumagi is also called obangjang durumagi because it is composed of five colors, representing five different directions (obang) -- east (blue), west (white), south (red), north (black), center (yellow).^[10] The concept is based on Chinese philosophy, ying and yang and Five Phases.^[3]

Seop (섶), the overlapped column of the garment in the center is made of a yellow fabric while gil (길), the large section of the garment in both front and back side is made of a fabric in yellowish green. For boys, blue color is used for the portions called git (깃, a band of fabric that trims the collar)^[11], goreum (고름, strings at chest), doltti (돌띠, embroidered belt)^[12] respectively and purple is used for mu (무, gusset). On the other hand, kkachi durumagi for girls has red or purple colored git, goreum and doltti and dark blue mu. The sleeves are made of two sheets of fabrics. The outer surface is made of a yellowish green fabric or saekdong (colorful stripes) fabric whereas the inner is rose pink in color.^[3]

In old days, kkachi durumagi were worn as seolbim (설빔), new clothing and shoes prepared for Seolnal, while at present, it is used as a dorot, a ceremonial garment for doljanchi, celebration for a baby's first birthday.^[3]

from Wikipedia

July Baby of the Month Contest

If you haven't yet won a Baby of the Month contest, you can submit us a photo, name, address and permission to use photo to contest@littleseouls.com.

We have given great prizes in the past, such as pajamas, videos, podeagis, play mats and dolls. This month's prize will be a Korean Cookbook!

Please pray for Laura Ling and Euna Lee

As most of you know, Laura Ling and Euna Lee was sentenced to 12 years in Labor camp in North Korea. Please pray for their families and for their release.

Doljabi Items Now Available

What is a Doljabi? This is when the baby is placed at a dol table with various items in front of her/him and is encouraged to pick one of the items up. It is believed whatever he/she picks up will determine his/her future.

What do these items mean?

Pencil: Scholar

Thread: Long life

Microphone: Entertainer

Stethoscope: Doctor

Hammer: Builder/Architect

Ball: Sports

Money: Wealth

If you would like to purchase these, click here.

Baby of the Month Winner!

This month our winner is Ariana from NY! She is 2 1/2 years old. Congratulations!! She is so cute!