HS Seouls Symbol Haechi Popular as Souvenirs
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
A souvenir shop for Haechi Madang, Korea's mythical folktale character and one of the symbols of Seoul, located under Gwanghwamun Plaza, downtown Seoul, is emerging as a popular destination for visitors.
Lee Hyun-joo, a university student, visited the shop with her friends on her way to the skating rink in Gwanghwamun Plaza, Thursday. She smiled, playing with a yellow plush Haechi doll. "I think Haechi dolls are so cute," the 21-year-old said. "I want to use a small doll as my cell phone charm. I hope they offer more items at affordable prices."
Haechi is a mythical animal symbolizing justice and integrity. Originally, it was a lion-like creature with a horn on its forehead that guarded the royal palaces. Seoul designated Haechi as its symbol in 2008 and promoted it in various ways.
The city held a contest for Haechi drawings by children and published a storybook featuring the character. Designers' Haechi statues were exhibited during Seoul Design Olympiad last year.
Last October, the city opened the Haechi Shop, a souvenir store featuring a variety of items, under Gwanghwamun Plaza as a part of the campaign to publicize the character.
Among the products, stuffed dolls are the most popular.
"During the Christmas season, we had a limited edition of Haechi dolls, with red hoods and antlers similar to Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. We sold out of them," Choi In-sup of the city said. "For females, eco-friendly bags and pouches are popular, while children like key rings with Haechi drawings and cell phone charms."
The shop appeared in the KBS hit thriller "Iris" in November and more visitors, both Korean and foreign, came to the shop after the episode aired.
There are three main places to buy Haechi products ㅡ Haechi Madang of Gwanghwamun Plaza, the Cheonggye Stream Information Center and the Jongno branch of Youngpoong Bookstore. The products are also available at the Seoul Museum of History, Dream Forest in northern Seoul, and Dongdaemun Culture and History Park.
"We will open more shops in museums, airports and large shopping malls such as COEX, aiming to open 20 stores by 2012," Choi said. "We hope Haechi becomes a representative symbol of Seoul."