I learned my lesson with pre-orders after missing out on a few I really wanted. I learned that if you want something badly and it's available just order it on the spot and worry about the money later ^_^
Sometimes you get blessed with a re-release (eg. FREEing Lucky Star figures.. I'm still outrageously happy about that re-release) but it's pure luck.
AmiAmi is my favourite online store because they have the most reasonable prices and seem to have pre-orders up for new figures the fastest. Sites like TokyoHunter, like you said, are great for getting mail in exclusives that are impossible to get otherwise.
If I ever get shit from people about me collecting figures I just don't care. I feel sorry for them because they are missing out on a really fun hobby. They are just wasting time worrying about what other people choose to do for fun. Most of my friends manage to at least feign interest which is nice ;p
Trying to find good figure shops here is next to impossible until I happen to come across this forum and NeverGG's posts about Hobby Square (both locations) here in Seoul. Thank you for that very much NeverGG. It's my new nervana. Although, they pale in comparison to some of the places I've been to in Asia. But, unfortunately, I did not know about these little cuties until recently. Oh, well. Next time.
If anyone knows about any more figure shops in and around Seoul, please post them here. I already know about the one(s) at COEX mall, but have not gone there yet. It's a long trip from Incheon into Seoul; about 1 and/or 2 hours depending on where you go and COEX is about 2 hours away.
Cheers to everyone!
Peter
P.S. I case anyone is wondering, I'm from Canada and have been living and working here in South Korea for almost 2 years (by end of Aug.).
You started with some very nice figures. Alter and Good Smile are some of the better brands you can find, Max Factory being the third. Good Smile's Hitagi is gorgeous and I think Alter's Mikuru is the best Mikuru there is.
If you are a fan of Bakemonogatari, you are in luck. Alter just put their Hitagi on preorder:
@cgivisionary - It's so nice to hear of someone else in Korea who is into figures etc. I was beginning to think I was the only foreigner here who enjoys it :D I saw you got the lovely Mio statue. I was pondering picking her up too, but I think she might've gone out of stock at HS now. I'm getting paid on the 10th, so I'm planning to hit both stores and pick up anything new.
I really wish we could get more Nendoroids/puchis, but even just some new MG Figurerise Kamen Rider W kits would be great. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for new figure shops - so far HS is the best by far, but as you said you can score the odd catch over at Gina Chara Shop and Ani-land in COEX. There are also lots of fake items in Myeongdong (it's not very good for full fake sets since the quality tends to suck for the price, but you can pick up some very cute series related keychains.)
I also recommend checking out this tiny shop in Hongdae. D Ziney -
Most of her stock is fake/similar to that of the Myeongdong stores, but very rarely she gets in some genuine items (or some good quality fakes in terms of keychains and mini figures.) I recently picked up two genuine Pinky Street figures from her (The packaging was all spot on and it was obvious from the quality that they were real.) They were her only stock sadly.
I really want these two sets, but sadly my only source of PS figures (a shop in Yongsan's I-Park mall that closed just before HS opened) is well...closed now. I'm kicking myself for getting rid of my old collection. I thought I'd lost interest, but I got right back into them lately. I think I have some left at home though, but I'm not sure. I'm not looking to rebuild the collection entirely, but I might purchase some specific ones when I have the chance to shop online again.
I am not into Pinky Street (kind of wanted once, but decided it was better to not started) but I am a big Range Murata fan, so I had to get them. I remember they got delayed month after month, until they got released out of the blue.
Are you just trying to get #3 or the full set? I think they are all cute.
I am not into Pinky Street (kind of wanted once, but decided it was better to not started) but I am a big Range Murata fan, so I had to get them. I remember they got delayed month after month, until they got released out of the blue.
Are you just trying to get #3 or the full set? I think they are all cute.
I got the Caine one from D-Ziney a couple of weeks ago, but I can't get access to any others right now. I had all three back home, but I just remembered I brought them to Korea and so they got thrown out with all my others when I moved house. What an idiot I was ;_;
I forgot to mention - I really want the new Cheerleader version of Miku. She's so adorable;
@VManofMana Thank you very much for the welcome. Yeah, I did my research before buying my first figures. GSC, Alter and Max Factory are at the top of the game as far as my research has told me. And, I did see the new Hitagi figure by Alter just yesterday being on pre-order. Although, I'm not too sure how that will work out for me here due to some logistical issues in getting mail. I'm looking into it now. Meh! She is a CUTIE, though. I saw both GSC's Suruga and Nedeko, too. So CUTE!
@NeverGG Yay for another figure maniac in Korea! LOL I think I got the second last Mio at the time a few weeks ago. They had two. Maybe you will still find her there. Worth a look. She's SOOOO CUTE! Thanks for the recommendations for stores, too. I'll keep them in the back of my mind. I read about the fakes in Myeongdong, too. Hmmmm. Those PS figures are so cute, too. LOL
There is a post of a Korean Figure Shop in Seoul at DannyChoo.com that you might already know about. But, I don't think it's a Korean store. It looks too well stocked and Japanese. I wish I can find it, though:
@cgivisionary - I hope so. I'm prioritizing Nendoroids, puchis, Figma and MG Kamen Rider kits over 1/8 scale models, but it'd be nice to pick up the BRS and K-On!! ones. I really want to stick to only certain ranges and series due to space constraints.
I'm a member on Figure.fm so I just messaged the original poster and asked them if they could provide directions. The comments on the post confirm it's in Seoul somewhere. I really hope that place is still open because it looks like a goldmine. (Provided the items are all legit.) If not then maybe this person can tell us of other sources in Seoul :D They seem to be really active so I'm hoping for a quick reply.
P.S. Kind of random, but if you're about in Seoul and fancy going to HS together or doing a figure photoshoot then just pm me :D
[EDIT]
I've got the address - it looks like the physical shop is here 서울 서초구 서초1동 1445-1 국제전자센터 9층 21호. Basically it's close to Nambu Bus Terminal subway station exit 3 according to google.
I just had the guy downstairs call the shop. Apparently the opening hours are - 11-7:30 and it's closed on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. I get a bit of money on Thursday so I'll go and check out the stock then.
Waaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! (that was the sound of my wallet crying)
This is AWESOME! Thank you very much NeverGG.
I might even go and check it out tomorrow as I have nothing planned that day. All the figures on my hit list are there, or will be there; Saber, Mio, Tsumugi, Miku, Senjougahara, Suruga, Nedeko, Yuri... Oh, my! The wallet's totally DEAD, now! Poor thing! PM me if you want to go as well.
And, yes, HS and a photo shoot in Seoul would be nice, too. But, in warmer weather would be good. Expect a PM about that in a month when it's warmer.
On March 25 2011 19:19 cgivisionary wrote: Waaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! (that was the sound of my wallet crying)
This is AWESOME! Thank you very much NeverGG.
I might even go and check it out tomorrow as I have nothing planned that day. All the figures on my hit list are there, or will be there; Saber, Mio, Tsumugi, Miku, Senjougahara, Suruga, Nedeko, Yuri... Oh, my! The wallet's totally DEAD, now! PM me if you want to go as well.
And, yes, HS and a photo shoot in Seoul would be nice, too. But, in warmer weather would be good. Expect a PM about that in a month when it's warmer.
I was googling the Nonno21 store when I chanced across this blog. It looks like there's even a model kitting store about 10 minutes from my house XD
I'm throwing caution to the wind (I'll have to borrow 2,000won off of my co-worker to get to work next week) but it'd be way more fun to go with someone else. Lemme pm you now :D I added you on msn btw.
Wow, the pictures of that figure store are really cool. :O Buying online has tremendous advantages (price and convenience), but very little beats browsing through a store; especially if you're able to dig up some hidden treasures. That's why I'll always love browsing through used book stores/independent game stores; really wish I had a figure store equivalent here.
On March 25 2011 19:28 So no fek wrote: Wow, the pictures of that figure store are really cool. :O Buying online has tremendous advantages (price and convenience), but very little beats browsing through a store; especially if you're able to dig up some hidden treasures. That's why I'll always love browsing through used book stores/independent game stores; really wish I had a figure store equivalent here.
I agree with this so much. I'm quite the book maniac too (mainly Japanese photobooks and magazines) so being able to actually go into bookstores and buy straight off of the shelves is very pleasurable to me. I really love Book Off (in Shinchon) for its second-hand treasures appeal. I'm going to stop collecting books and focus on figures now since these shops look like they have an incredible range.
My top picks for items I really hope they have in stock are;
On March 25 2011 19:42 cgivisionary wrote: Looks like I might get these if they are in stock:
Mio Akiyama (Max Factory)
Tsumugi Kotobuki (Alter)
And, anyone else that catches my fancy when I'm there. All the rest I want are pending release later this year.
I envy you. I'm so broke now I won't be able to buy anything, but it's going to be fun to plan my purchases for when I get paid a little bit on Thursday and when I actually have my payday on the 8th.
Oh out of the K-On!! fans here - which girl does everyone like the best? I'm a Mugi fan, but I also really like Ricchan.
On March 25 2011 19:28 So no fek wrote: Wow, the pictures of that figure store are really cool. :O Buying online has tremendous advantages (price and convenience), but very little beats browsing through a store; especially if you're able to dig up some hidden treasures. That's why I'll always love browsing through used book stores/independent game stores; really wish I had a figure store equivalent here.
I agree with this so much. I'm quite the book maniac too (mainly Japanese photobooks and magazines) so being able to actually go into bookstores and buy straight off of the shelves is very pleasurable to me. I really love Book Off (in Shinchon) for its second-hand treasures appeal. I'm going to stop collecting books and focus on figures now since these shops look like they have an incredible range.
Yeah, it's a strange feeling, almost mystical. You can find practically anything online with relative ease in this day and age. It's great if there's something you really must have and can't wait, but actually the item of your heart's desire in a little store is almost as much fun (if not more so) than when you actually do own it.
As for K-On! characters, I'm really not familiar with them all too well. I never got around to watching past the first episode or two of the show. However, based on my limited experience and aesthetics, I'd have to go with Mio. She also seems to have the better figures from what I've seen, too.
On March 25 2011 19:28 So no fek wrote: Wow, the pictures of that figure store are really cool. :O Buying online has tremendous advantages (price and convenience), but very little beats browsing through a store; especially if you're able to dig up some hidden treasures. That's why I'll always love browsing through used book stores/independent game stores; really wish I had a figure store equivalent here.
I agree with this so much. I'm quite the book maniac too (mainly Japanese photobooks and magazines) so being able to actually go into bookstores and buy straight off of the shelves is very pleasurable to me. I really love Book Off (in Shinchon) for its second-hand treasures appeal. I'm going to stop collecting books and focus on figures now since these shops look like they have an incredible range.
Yeah, it's a strange feeling, almost mystical. You can find practically anything online with relative ease in this day and age. It's great if there's something you really must have and can't wait, but actually the item of your heart's desire in a little store is almost as much fun (if not more so) than when you actually do own it.
As for K-On! characters, I'm really not familiar with them all too well. I never got around to watching past the first episode or two of the show. However, based on my limited experience and aesthetics, I'd have to go with Mio. She also seems to have the better figures from what I've seen, too.
Yeah, I have to agree with you. The wanting is sometimes better than the having. I'll see if they will let me take some pix of their store for you as well.
Whilst I like getting things delivered (I have some penpals because it's so nice to receive letters and gifts from other countries.) there really is something so much more satisfying about discovering items in person. I think that's why I miss going to flea markets, charity shops and jumble sales. Seoul doesn't really have that kind of thing.
Aww, that's unfortunate. Las Vegas is fairly commercialized (Wal-Mart, GameStop, etc.), but we still have a few good things going for it. We a massive indoor swap-meet that has sadly been bleeding out over the last few years; last time I went there were so many empty booths and the rest was a variety of cheap goods. Ten years ago there was a bunch of unique and varied products. We do have some pretty cool thrift stores that are mostly clothing and furniture, but every now and then you'll find something really cool. I've managed to get a bunch of different trinkets and art over the years. And then you'll find a little mom and pop store specialized in a certain area every now and then; my latest find was a video game store that had a good selection of older games (impossible to find in chain shops anymore.)
Then there are yard sales. Most suck, but you'll get really lucky sometimes. My favorite yard sale to date was brought on by another person's misfortune; he needed to go back to Canada to take care of his sick mother, and had to sell off just about everything. Felt really bad for the guy, but he had some really amazing stuff that couldn't be passed up.
The four pieces of art that I purchased has helped me reach my yard sale treasures quota for life, I'm thinking.
These two (excuse the crappy cell phone picture in low light... really need to take some better pictures at some point)
EPT![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/N6LJK.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/xz25D.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/pHmfs.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/Rb2M0.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i54.tinypic.com/2hqqss7.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i51.tinypic.com/2lt61vn.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i56.tinypic.com/mlnk8w.jpg)
PM me if you want to go as well.
