Fairy-tale world for adults
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Action figures based on Japanese animated films are on display at Figure Museum W in Seoul. / Courtesy of Figure Museum W
By Baek Byung-yeul
In Korea, there was a time when collecting toys and action figures was regarded as “kid’s stuff.” But nowadays adult toy collectors try to share their hobbies with others, instead of sweeping their prized collections under the mat.
A new museum in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul proves this trend. Since opening last Saturday, the Figure Museum W displays thousands of toys and character figures.
“We put ‘W’ at the end of the museum’s official name as we expect visitors to keep saying ‘wow’ while in the museum,” the museum’s curator Jamie Q Lee said at an opening ceremony of the museum on Feb. 27.
A figure of “Iron Man” standing in front of the museum’s entrance is meant to pique the interest of those passing by. Upon entering the museum, visitors will face a life-size “Bumblebee” robot from the movie “Transformers” to welcome them.
The exterior of Figure Museum W
“Our museum is not just a show room exhibiting toys. It is more like a theme park where spectators of all ages can share their stories about the toys with their friends and families,” Lee added.
The museum building ― six stories above ground and two underground levels ― is filled with toy figures ranging from Japan’s “Gundam” franchise to superheroes from the United States’ Marvel Comics series.
The toys and figurines of a wide range and size are displayed from the third to sixth floors, while the lower stories are for children’s playroom (basement), a cafe (first floor) and a toy shop (second floor).
The third floor features mainly American characters, while the fourth floor is dedicated to Japanese figures. Rarer items are on display at the themed exhibition space on the fifth and sixth floors, including 150 action figures made by prominent figure designers under the title of “My Toy” and props from science fiction films such as “Alien” and “The Fifth Element.”
“The figures displayed are worth from millions of won to hundreds of millions won. The customized 70-centimeter-tall Gundam action figure is worth up to 200 million won,” the museum official said.
The museum’s collection features mainly Japanese and American characters, which lacks diversity. As of now, “Robot Taekwon V” action figures are the only ones that originated from a Korean animated film in the museum.
“Though toys and action figures currently displayed are based on American and Japanese films, we will display toys from Korean animated films in the special exhibition space,” the curator explained.
Figure Museum W opens from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday. It is located near exit 4 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station, subway Bundang Line. Tickets cost 12,000 won for children and 15,000 for adults. For more information, visit www.figuremuseumw.co.kr.