Geek heaven or smart business? Inside Hong Kong’s high-end toy industry
From lifelike high-end action figures to premium superhero statues, no price is too high for the fine eye of an enthusiast
The year was 2012 and the Iron Man movie franchise was on its way to a third film, sowing the superhero seeds for what would become a billion-dollar genre for Hollywood.
Mars Tsoi Chun-chung, then a 31-year-old fan with Iron Man fever running high in his veins, was shopping in Mong Kok when he chanced upon an immaculate action figure of the character by collectibles brand Hot Toys.
He snapped up the item for about HK$1,800.
Little did Tsoi know that this was the start of an expensive but fulfilling hobby that five years later, would see him amass more than 60 Iron Man action figures.
Today his collection stands at home in a sleek 2m x 2m light-up glass display.
“My wife is very supportive,” Tsoi said. “As long as I have enough for the family, she lets me buy what I want.”
