Squeeze it, crack it, chew it: Korea’s sensory obsession

The stationery and toy shops of Changsin-dong in central Seoul were once largely the domain of children and parents. These days, office workers in suits and job seekers carrying backpacks have joined the crowd. Many stop in front of displays piled with “mallang-i,” soft, often food- or character-shaped toys made for repeated squeezing and kneading, and “wakppu-bol,” or wax-crushing balls — palm-sized tactile toys with a thin, hardened wax-like outer layer. Squeeze one between your fingers and th