Seoul Doll Fair 2011: Freaky and fantastical

The annual Seoul Doll Fair is back for its fourth year, opening on December 23 at the Samsung-dong Coex, Hall A. 

Around 10,000 dolls made by hundreds of participating artists will be on display until January 2, 2012. 

To many, the word "dolls" brings to mind fuzzy beribboned teddy bears or a sweet-faced Raggedy Ann in calico -- i.e. toys -- but the works on display at the Seoul Doll Fair are a bit pricier than your average Barbie. 

"More than 90 percent of our dolls are handmade," said Seoul Doll Fair manager Shin Jong-hoon. "They range in price from a thousand to several hundred million won." 

The variety is as diverse as the price. 

"We have these 'figure' (피규어) dolls which are especially popular with men," said Shin. "Figure dolls are dolls that are based on popular anime or manga characters, or movie characters." 

And the audience is as diverse as the type.

"We still get kids, mostly, but we get a lot of adults, too," said Shin. "With the advent of the 'kidult,' [Konglish for adults who enjoy child-like hobbies] we have many adult visitors, too." 

In a significant upgrade from 2010, this year's fair will feature lifelike figurines of famous people from around the world, a free puppet show and a doll-making workshop. 

Admission is ₩10,000 for adults, ₩8,000 for adolescents, and ₩6,000 for children. There is a special discount for groups of 20 or more. 

December 23-January 1, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. On January 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

1/F 159 Samsung 1-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 강남구 삼성1동 159 1층); +82 2 6000 0114 (Coex); +82 2 724 0906 (Seoul Doll Fair); dollfair.mt.co.kr/2011

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