1100 Million Won 'Baby Realdoll' Popular in US... "Even Down to the Peach Fuzz"

[Financial News] The 'Real Babydoll', crafted so intricately that it's hard to distinguish from a real newborn, is gaining popularity in the US.

On the 23rd (local time), the US daily Wall Street Journal reported on the scene of the Real Babydoll Expo held last June in North Carolina, showing citizens engrossed in virtual parenting.

According to the report, they purchased perfumes that smell like babies or learned how to support the doll's head carefully like a real baby when holding it.

The Real Babydoll is handcrafted by artisans and costs up to 8000 dollars (about 1100 million won). The silicone-made doll's skin is colored to show veins.

In particular, to replicate the feel of peach fuzz, delicate processes such as implanting goat or alpaca hair are undertaken. Its appearance, weight, and skin texture are similar to that of a real baby.

Real Babydoll collectors say, "This doll helps in mental health recovery," and "It can provide emotional comfort to those who have lost a child in an accident or experienced a miscarriage, suffering from PTSD, Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, etc." In fact, American pop star Britney Spears, who confessed to experiencing a miscarriage, was spotted holding a Real Babydoll.

However, some express discomfort, saying the Real Babydoll is excessively realistic. Recently, a bill was proposed in Brazil to prohibit bringing Real Babydolls into public places.

Johnstone, a British artisan who makes Real Babydolls, emphasized, "The psychological comfort provided by Real Babydolls is clear," but also noted, "Not everyone can like and accept this doll." 


hsg@fnnews.com Seung-gon Han, Reporter