Kim Yu Na Wins!

Korean athletics in the news again! Kim Yu na took the title at the World Figure Skating Championships this past Saturday night! Thank you Yu na for being another role model to our "little seouls!"

Photo credit to David J. Phillip / AP

Korean Sun Cap Visor

I don't know if you've seen these caps but these are all the rage with Korean ajummas! They're called Sun Caps. They provide full sun coverage and filter out 99% of UV rays. I always thought they were ridiculous looking but now that I am hitting my late 30s and realizing my skin has suffered sun damage, I was on the hunt to find this cap for myself!

Here is what I look like wearing it.














My husband was like, "Are you seriously going to wear that outside???"

I know it looks ridiculous but you know what, I'm protecting my skin and that's more important, right??

They are now available at Little Seouls!

Please Help and Sign Up to Be a Bone Marrow Donor

Did you know that Asians are under-represented in the bone marrow registry? People with life threatening illnesses, like Leukemia and Lymphoma are waiting anxiously for a bone marrow match to have a chance to get cured. These days no blood draw is needed to register, a simpler process of using cheek swabs is used.

Below are some faces of hope that are waiting for someone like you to help! Please consider signing up. This issue is very personal to me as I am a Leukemia survivor. Here, at Little Seouls, we will do our part in advocating for those in need of a bone marrow on a regular basis. If you know someone who needs our help, feel free to email us and we gladly post their info here.

Above is a picture of Theo (18) who was born in South Korea and was adopted in 1990 by Mike and Juli's family. He was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia and is currently waiting for a bone marrow match. His family have gone to Korea to search for his birth family in hopes of getting a bone marrow match, but their attempts at locating them were unsuccessful.

Next to Theo, is a picture of Nico (10) who is half Korean and half French. He was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of 6. Due to his mixed heritage, finding a match becomes even harder. He is currently waiting to find a suitable donor.

Below is a message from Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches.

Have you wondered how it feels to save someone's life?

Every day, thousands of patients just like Theo Daniels are searching for a life-saving donor someone like you. The Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches is dedicated to creating an opportunity for all patients to receive the marrow transplant they need, when they need it.

Millions have joined the NMDP Registry, but there are still not enough donors to meet the needs of all patients. We need your help!

Join the NMDP Registry:
Join online at http://join.marrow.org. When asked to provide a "Promo Code", please enter <4korean>. This code ends on 6/30/09

Joining is easy. Patients need donors who are between the ages~of 18 and 60, in good general health, and are willing to donate to any patient in need.

You can join online at no cost because we are covering the costs to add new members to the Registry. Please note that our funding is limited.

Korean kids singing a song about internet manners!?!

Internet games are HUGE in Korea...I would say it's safe to say that it's bigger there than anywhere else in the world. Plenty of people make good money playing games such as Starcraft there and are considered celebrities. Now they're teaching kids all about "netiquette." Kinda weird but I guess it makes sense in Korea.

Decorating with Stuffed Animals

If you want to decorate your baby's first birthday "dol" table less traditionally, consider using cute stuffed animals! These adorable and creative dol table displays were created by a party planner in Korea. Too cute!

Cute Wallpaper for your computer

On Samsung's site, there is a page where you can download free wallpaper. They are really cute! Check it out!

So sad about Korea losing the WBC finals...

Photo taken from joynews24.com

I don't know if you saw the game tonight against Japan but Korea lost 5-3. It was nailbiter till the end until they got to the 10th inning (after tying 3-3 on the 9th).

I'm not a big sports person but whenever Korea plays anything, whether it be soccer or baseball, my family and I (including most Koreans) go absolutely crazy! I remember many years back during the World Soccer Cup, we were up at 3am watching a game and screaming our lungs out! I'm sure our neighbors thought about calling the police!

Although I was born in the US, I guess my heart still belongs to my motherland. Well until next time, fighting! (with fist in the air)

YEAH! KOREA WINS OVER VENEZUELA!

Korea goes to World Baseball Classics Semifinals!!! We are proud of you!

photo taken from yonghap news agency

The "coolest" invention for gook bap!

We just added these bowls to the store called the Mac & Cool. It's a plastic bowl with a cap on the end and you fill the bowl with water. You freeze the bowl and then place the food in the bowl to cool it down. I used these personally 4 years ago when my son was starting to eat regular food. It was such a pain whenever I would make gook bap (soup & rice) to first cook it, then wait till it cools down before he ate it. This whole process took so long! Frustrated, I happen to see this bowl on HGTV. I ordered it and loved it! I also gave them away as gifts and they were always a hit! Plus it's good for any budget! Click here to order.

Featured Product: Korean Musical Dolls

We have just added these adorable Korean musical dolls that play the popular Korean folk song, Arirang. They are a perfect keepsake....even adults can enjoy them as they are handcrafted with detail. They come in 2 color hanbok designs as shown in the picture. To purchase one, go to our store's link here.

Baby's hair

It's pretty common for Koreans to shave their baby's head at least once or twice believing that it will make their baby's hair grow back thicker. I'm not sure if there's any truth to it. I personally did not shave my baby's head and it looks fine to me.

There's even a company that sells hair pieces for your baby called Baby Bangs! I thought it was hilarious! I guess it's created for little girls so they don't get mistaken for a boy. I think it's totally unnecessary but I guess there are moms willing to go to these lengths to have their baby's look more "girly."

Korea beats Japan 4-1!

Earned a spot on the World Baseball Classic Semi-Finals! Go Korea!!

Taking Entries for April's Baby of the Month

If you would like a chance to win something FREE for your child as well as have your child featured in Little Seouls's Baby of the Month Contest, submit a photo, with name, age, address and permission to post picture to contest@littleseouls.com. Winner will be announced on the 1st of April.

Here is a picture of our March's winner, Audrey who ended up winning an Asian doll from our store.

Jonah the minihipster!

Recently my cousin's son was featured on minihipster.com, a website where you can enjoy all types of kids' styles and fashions from around the world. They live in NYC and was stopped by one of their photographers. Here he is looking very hip in his Target clothes! Love Target!

Hanbok Dress Up Costume for $36.99

Now available at Little Seouls is this traditional everyday hanbok (Korean dress) costume. Unlike the "real" thing, this option is great for girls who just wants to wear it around the house like play clothes and you don't have to worry about her ruining it at this price. The hanbok features simple lines and vibrant colors. Usually reserved for ceremonious events, kids can now wear it any day of the week! Great for any budget! Perfect for school cultural day! Fits ages 4-8. One size. Can easily be worn over clothes.

Fancy Dol Rings

I have yet to see these gold dol rings with gems in the U.S, but in Korea they are available in fine jewerly stores. With the economy on a downturn, I don't think these would do well in the US. These are quite fancy for a baby, but remember dol rings are treasured like heirlooms. Although we don't sell these fancy dol rings, Little Seouls does sell dol rings if you need it. Go to https://littleseouls.com/collections/toys-gifts

Little Seouls Featured in Koream Journal

Our hanbok rentals were featured in this month's issue of Koream Journal under the section "All the Rage". Hanbok rentals are a great alternative if you want to save money but need a hanbok for a special occasion.

Gift ideas for Koreans...get them Vitamins!

About a year ago, my mom took some Trader Joe's Vitamins to Korea to give to her mother. Nothing out of the ordinary...just vitamins. Apparently my grandmother didn't want them and gave them to her cousin who has been ill for some time. He had been housebound and very weak. He is over 70 years old. He knew the vitamins were from America. After he started taking them, he swore he felt 100 times better! His family went searching throughout Korea for these vitamins from Trader Joe's and of course could not find them (there are no Trader Joe's in Korea). My mom had to buy more and shipped it to them right away.

The story just cracked me up! It's funny how Koreans view American products even now. They especially love getting vitamins/supplements as gifts. So if you're going to Korea and looking for a gift idea, you might want to try Trader Joe's! Perfect for foster parents and grandparents.

Update: I did find out that Trader Joe's does have high quality vitamins compared to others. Maybe that cousin was right? I'm thinking of getting some myself! :-)

Actress Kim Hee-Sun's Baby...well sort of

New mommy Kim Hee-Sun posted this picture on her blog (Cyworld minihompy as Korean's call it) of her baby's feet. Born January 22nd, I am dying to see what the baby looks like since her parents are both really good-looking! I guess her feet will do for now, which by the way is my favorite part on a baby's body!

North Korea - Children's Parade - Arirang / Mass Games 2005

Children's section of 'Mass Games' or otherwise known as the 'Arirang' performance in Pyongyang city, North Korea in 2005. Watch the giant human mosaic in the background, composed of 15,000 or more individuals each holding a coloured placard. The mosaic changes with the music.

Koreans Match Clothing for Love

Korean couples love to demonstrate their love to each other by wearing matching "couple" shirts. These couple shirts are easy to find in Korea as many stores carry them. Besides couples, you can see the whole family wearing matching shirts or outfits. We may consider this type of behavior quite unusual, but to Koreans, it is widely accepted as being a cute way to show others the way they feel about each other.

Jonas Brothers Style on a 5 year old Korean Boy

Here is Ty, a 5 year old Korean American Boy sporting the Jonas Brother's style!

The whole outfit is from Children's place . The polo shirt was $9, white pants $16.50, necktie $6.50 and sunglasses $3.50. What a bargain to achieve this "look!"

The Beauty of Hanbok

Hanbok designer Kim Hye-soon shares with the readers on how to wear Hanbok properly.

▶ Women should wear proper undergarments

"The key to the elegant lines of the Hanbok comes from wearing the right underwear. Some wear Western patch coats underneath the skirt, but that only takes away the grace.” Kim stresses that the beauty of Hanbok lies in the underwear. One must wear an undershirt beneath the jacket in order to fully reveal the curving lines. In the old days, one used to wear 7 or 8 different garments beneath the skirt, but nowadays underpants and an underskirt would be fine.

▶ Men should never wear a white T-shirt under the jacket

Some men wear a white shirt under the jacket. But nothing should be seen between the jacket openings. If one must wear something beneath, he should wear one with a low neck line. Dress shoes go with Hanbok, and one should carefully choose the color of socks to match the shoes. Black shoes with white socks is a combination you must avoid at all times.

Men do not need to wear an undershirt like women, but they must wear underpants. Kim stresses the importance of "Durumagi," a Korean coat, to compliment the formality and gracefulness of the Hanbok.

▶ Children should wear a larger hanbok

Children’s hanbok should be bigger, because they grow out of them so fast. It is a typical trait of hanbok to be wide and loose around the body, so one or two sizes should not be too much of a problem.

(Kim Miri at chosun.com )

Korean Independence Day

South Korean students wearing traditional Korean costumes shout as they wave their national flags during a ceremony to celebrate the March First Independence Movement Day, the anniversary of the 1919 uprising against Japanese colonial rule, in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, March 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Winner of the Baby of the Month contest is...

Audrey Choe from New Jersey!

We would like to thank all of those who entered this month's drawing. It is always a joy to see all the beautiful children! You can enter or re-submit your child for next month's drawing by emailing us at contest@littleseouls.com.

All winners are randomly chosen.