Acorn Caricature: Seoul’s Nostalgic Answer to the Photobooth
Last Updated on July 24, 2026
I started noticing this cute little whimsical caricature studios popping up all branded the same and started wondering where these sort of nostalgic photobooths got their start. If you have spent any time scrolling Seoul travel content lately, chances are you have seen one of their caricatures. They are hand-drawn portraits, a little exaggerated like your favorite caricatures from younger days at carnivals and festivals, a lot charming, and usually captioned with someone gushing about how fast it was done. That is Acorn Caricature (도토리 캐리커쳐) and also recognized on Instagram as Uncles Painting. It has become a favorite souvenir from Korea among not only tourists, but locals are also flocking to the studios.
Sometimes the best souvenirs or fun thing to do in an afternoon is something that has nostalgic charm. Here’s what to expect from Acorn Caricature in Korea:
- The Story Behind Acorn Caricature
- What To Expect Inside
- Why Are Caricatures Suddenly Everywhere
- How Much Does It Cost
- Practical Tips For Your Visit
- Where To Find Acorn Caricature Near You
- FAQ
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The Story Behind Acorn Caricature
This brand started small, right in Yeonnam-dong, the popular neighborhood acoss the street from Hongdae. It was founded by Yang I-jung, who also now serves as president of the Korea Society of Caricaturist Artists, sometime around 2020. As the story goes, the idea took shape during the pandemic, when Yang had time to finally pursue a shop concept that had long sat in the imagination phase.
It’s worth noting that that pandemic-era timing is not a coincidence. Acorn Caricature emerged right alongside the early stirrings of what became Korea’s newtro (뉴트로) wave, that same collective pull toward nostalgia that had people at home rediscovering old toys, retro snacks, and childhood comforts while the world paused. I have written before about how that nostalgia eventually deepened into the halmennial (할매니얼) trend, and a caricature studio built around capturing a warm, personal, slightly old-fashioned keepsake fits neatly into that same emotional lineage.
The brand’s guiding idea, loosely translated, is that they exist to help you discover a new side of your own charm. There is a sweetness to their internal philosophy too, the idea of a small acorn eventually growing into a towering oak tree, meant to reflect how a quick, playful drawing can turn into a lasting, meaningful keepsake. In a city as fast paced as Seoul, they describe themselves less as a shop and more as a small shelter for nostalgia and happiness and you’ll feel that when you visit. It’s a moment to slow down.
What To Expect Inside
Step through the door and you are somewhere between a woodland cottage and a working art studio. Light yellow walls, wooden booths, and small squirrel illustrations tucked into every corner set the playful tone. Before meeting your artist, you choose your format, either a single portrait or a photo strip style, and how many people will be included, with groups capped at four per session.
You will be handed two small wooden tokens along the way, each stamped with a tiny acorn. A cashier then walks you over to your artist.
From there, the sketching happens fast, often in just a couple of minutes, but the results consistently surprise people with how much personality they capture. When your piece is finished, you get to insert your own acorn token to reveal it, a small but delightful ritual that somehow makes the whole experience feel more personal, retro, and definitely nostalgia inducing… who pays with coins anymore?
Pro Tip: If someone from your group could not make it, or you want to include a pet, just show your artist a photo and they will work them in.
Why Are Caricatures Suddenly Everywhere
This is not just a tourist trend. On any given evening you will find lines outside these shops made up of just as many locals as visitors, including plenty of Korean couples treating it as a date night activity similar to a photobooth stop. A lot of young Koreans had grown a little tired of the ubiquitous instant photo booths found on nearly every corner, and a hand-drawn portrait feels like a more personal alternative.
The trend also got a real boost from Korean television when it was featured on I Live Alone. AKMU’s Lee Chan-hyuk got a caricature done alongside his mother and the concept became mainstream thereafter.
How Much Does It Cost
Pricing scales per person included in the drawing. A single portrait generally runs around W9,000, with each additional person added to the piece increasing the total, so a couple’s portrait typically lands around W18,000 and a group of three around W27,000. Depending on the shop and style, per-person pricing can range roughly from W7,900 to W15,000.
That is more than you would pay for a basic instant photo strip, but it is a fraction of what a similar hand-drawn portrait would cost in other international cities. Most shops also advertise incredibly quick turnaround times, sometimes marketed as one-minute sketches, though in practice most pieces take closer to five to seven minutes depending on how detailed you want it.
Pro tip: Look for the QR code posted in studio. It unlocks complimentary stickers and postcards to round out your visit.
Practical Tips For Your Visit
Acorn Caricature runs on a walk-in basis only, so you cannot reserve a time slot in advance, but really, you won’t need to wait long so just hop in the line if there is one. Evenings tend to draw longer waits, especially on weekends, so visiting earlier in the day is your best bet if you are short on time. I’ve been in cafes watching people move in and out of an Acorn shop and they are truly fast… and everyone that left was smiling ear to ear on top of that.
Where To Find Acorn Caricature Near You
With locations scattered across Seoul, chances are there is a branch close to wherever you are already exploring. I have included Acorn Caricature stops in several of my neighborhood guides, so you can fold it into whichever part of Seoul you are visiting. If you only have room for one quirky souvenir stop on your Seoul itinerary, this is the one I would pick. It costs almost nothing, takes almost no time, and somehow still manages to feel like a little piece of magic.
Here are a selection of Acorn Caricatures in Seoul’s popular areas, note though there are more and they are also popping up in cities around the country so just search “도토리 캐리커쳐” on Naver Map or Kakao Map to find ones near you.
- In Yeonnam-dong: 34 Donggyo-ro 38-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 동교로38길 34)
- In Hongdae: 29 Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 홍익로3길 29)
- In Myeongdong: 18 Myeongdong 7-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동7길 18)
- In Ikseon-dong: 17-17 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 수표로28길 17-17)
- In Seongsu-dong: 5 Yeonmujang 7-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울 성동구 연무장7길 5)
FAQ
How much does Acorn Caricature cost?
A single portrait runs about W9,000, with pricing increasing per additional person in the same drawing, generally landing between W7,900 and W15,000 per person depending on the branch and style.
Do I need a reservation?
No, Acorn Caricature is walk-in only. Visiting earlier in the day helps avoid the longer evening queues.
Can I include a pet or someone who could not make it?
Yes, just show your artist a photo and they will include them in the drawing.
Where is the original Acorn Caricature location?
The first shop opened in Yeonnam-dong, Seoul, and the brand has since grown to roughly 30 locations nationwide.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly nostalgia-inducing stop, look out for Acorn Caricature when you’re working your way through Seoul. They’re popping up all over and are the response to the numerous photobooths around town.
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