If you type ‘things to do in Seoul’ into just about any social media setting, one of the first things you’re going to get recommendations for is having a caricature done by Acorn Studios (often referred to as ‘Uncles Paintings’).

So when we were in Myeongdong one very rainy evening (we actually ended up here every evening of our trip because it was so much fun!) we dived into Acorn Studios to get our caricatures drawn.

And we enjoyed it so much, that I wanted to share the photos and the experience here! So here’s what you need to known about Acorn Caricature. And i’ve added our drawings at the end of this piece so you can decide for yourself if it’s worth the hype!

What Is Acorn Caricature?

Acorn Caricature is a much-hyped art studio in Korea (there are branches all over the country) where you can have a unique Korean-style caricature drawn in under two minutes.

The studio houses a dozen of artists who are friendly and welcoming, but they work fast. And it is this unique approach (plus hundreds of people sharing their portraits all over social media) that has ensured that Acorn Studios has soared in popularity.

Just sit down with a smile for a couple of minutes. The result is a memorable and affordable souvenir!

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How Much Does Acorn Caricature Cost?

I think one of the things that makes having an Acorn Caricature portrait done so appealing is that they are so affordable. This is a cheap and unique souvenir that won’t take up any room in your suitcase!

The price for your Acorn Studios Caricature depends on how many people you want in the picture.

One person per drawing – 9,000 won (£4.86)
Two people per drawing – 18,000 won (£9.72)
Three people per drawing – 27,000 won (£14.58)

This patterns continues with each additional person costing an extra 9,000 won. Effectively you pay per person drawn no matter how big or small that drawing is, which makes perfect sense.

We decided to sit for 4 individual drawings so that the artists had more room to work. We then framed them and popped them on the wall in our dining room as a gallery-style wall of four drawings.

It’s worth noting that Acorn Studios will also do pet drawings if you want to add your beloved pet to your family group. Just show them a photo of your pet on your phone and they can create the perfect caricature.

Where Is Acorn Caricature?

There are several Acorn Caricature outlets across Seoul and wider South Korea. We visited the Myeongdong store.

The address for this is: 33-4 ga Myeongdong 2(i)–ga. The nearest metro station to this shop is Myeongdong.

It’s worth noting that you can’t pre-book Acorn Caricature: It’s walk-in only. I’ve read reports of long queues in the evenings (meaning it’s best to visit during the day time if you’re in a rush) but we visited on a rainy evening, and walked straight in.

Other experienced in Myeongdong include visiting the Hello Kitty Apple Cafe. You can read all about it here.

The Finished Results

So what did our finished caricatures look like? Here’s the picture for you to decide for yourself!

I think they really captured my boys and there personalities perfectly somehow. You can tell that the youngest is a little cheeky chappy whilst the oldest is sat up straight, smiling and eager to please.

They gave Mike a little more hair than he actually has, but the kind face that I fell in love with is reflected in the picture too. I think they worked harder to be flattering than to be accurate with my picture, but I’m not arguing with that as it will be hanging on my wall for years to come!

Overall I really love these pictures! They’re a great reminder of an amazing trip. I already have them hanging on our wall and I smile every time I catch a glimpse of them when I work past.

I think Acorn Caricature is worth the hype, and recommend the whole experience. But I’d love to know what you think? Did they do a good job of our portraits? Is this something you would do when you visit Seoul?

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