Fairytale(lower).hwp
Fairytale(lower).wma
Fairy-tale world for adults 초중급
In Korea, there was a time when collecting toys and action figures was regarded as "kid's stuff." But these days 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 create interest of those walking by. When entering the museum, visitors will see a life-size "Bumblebee" robot from the movie "Transformers" to welcome them.
"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 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.
"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.
Questions:
1. What was your favorite toy growing up? What was a toy you wanted but never had growing up?
2. What is something you used to collect or still collect?
3. What do you think of adults who collect "toys"?
4. Talk about a museum you have been to or would like to visit.
5. What superhero would you like to be?