South Korea Travel Forum

Hi, I'm traveling to Korea and will visit my reletives. I don't know their kids, don't really know any kids, and certainly don't know what is "In" with the Korean kids. Can anyone suggests some good gifts to bring them (I live in the united states)--I belive their ages are 7-12 years. Is there anything that they like that is hard to get in Korea or easier to buy in the US?
Thanks for any suggests.

Hmmm, probably nothing electronic - kids here are very up to date with the latest games ect. I'll ask the kids in my classes to what they would want from the States and email you if I get any good ideas.
Dennis

Baseball cards, especially those featuring Korean players in Major League Baseball.
(Chan Ho Park, Hee Seop Choi, Kim Byung Hyun, Jung Bong, etc.)
Visit your local card shop listed under Sports Memorabilia in the Yellow Pages to buy the singles of above mentioned players as well as a pack or two of the latest cards from either Upper Deck, Topps, or Bowman.
The Korean kids will be most grateful.

Chocolate!

Confucious gave you a great idea. I am getting ready for a trip to Asia and decided on baseball cards for gifts. I even go so far as to provide the little plastic sleeves they can be stored in.

:-)
Bambi

Thanks for the suggestions!

well, talked to the Korean kids that I teach and they decided that there wasn't much that they wanted - but a couple of them said English books eg. Harry Potter (they tend to be expensive here). However this depends on what their English level is. Failing that they decided toys but could say what kind.
I wouldn't buy chocolate - all the kids except one say they don't like it.

I recommend baseball cards specifically as gifts for South Korean boys. If the Philippines is the focus of your East Asia trip then you really should substitute NBA basketball cards instead. Topps Stadium Club and Upper Deck again being the NBA cards of choice among Filipino boys.
Here is the breakdown of popularity:
Japan: Baseball and NFL football
Korea/Taiwan: Baseball
China/Hong Kong: Basketball
Philippines: Basketball
Singapore/SE Asia: Find another gift

American music CD's appropriate for preteens would be wonderful presents. Also, well known characters (Winnie the Pooh, Disney, etc.) are very popular. Yes, the kids could probably find them here in Korea, but authentic American ones carry alot of prestige. Easy books in English would also probably be a hit. Small candies (suckers are very popular) probably wouldn't go amiss, either. Small foodstuffs like hot chocolate, marshmellows, etc. aren't a bad idea and pack well (my family here has stolen and devoured my precious supply of "miguk ddok" -er marshmellows) Don't stress about it too much, they're little kids and they're getting presents from AMERICA! Such excitement!

Confucius,

Your name suits you well for that is exactly what I did at the last minute - switch the choice of sports from baseball to basketball. Thanks for the suggestions!!

Much appreciated,
Bambi