These days, Korean culture purists like to grumble about the abuses heaped on the traditional masks. After all, these are national cultural treasures, right?
Unless you are lucky enough to encounter a festival or other special performance, however, you are most likely to see tal on display as kitschy good-luck charms, or mass-produced tourist souveniers.
Bachelor Huh's Hahoe masterpieces, Yangban and Bune, are the most exploited, but you can see knock-offs of many different regional characters.
Many Korean people like to buy smaller versions of the masks, as well. They may be handy refrigerator magnets, or good luck charms to dangle from a cell phone.
A stroll down the streets of the Insadong district in Seoul reveals many shops selling copies of traditional masterworks. The eye-catching tal are always prominently displayed!
(In the interest of full disclosure, I must confess that I own four or five tourist-version tal. They make a great addition to any decor scheme!)
