Singer Kangnam reveals owning Pokémon cards worth 800 million won
Kangnam revealed a high-value collection, including Pokémon cards worth 800 million won, stating that his interest is for pure collection purposes rather than investment.
Singer Kangnam has revealed his unique hobby of collecting rare Pokémon cards. During the broadcast, Kangnam showcased his side as a collector, sharing detailed insights into the value of his collection and his acquisition process. He spoke candidly about everything from his unconventional methods of obtaining cards to the hidden side of a card market where astronomical sums of money are exchanged.
Cast in shock as a card worth 800 million won is revealed
While introducing one of his cards on the show, Kangnam touched upon the immense value of his collection. He also explained his purchasing process, mentioning a method where he uses original packaging to select cards from stores where they are laid face down. He explained the structure where one might pay around 1 million or 3 million won to pick a single card, which could potentially result in a card worth anywhere from several million to tens of millions of won. In fact, Kangnam shared an anecdote about spending 3 million won to pull a specific card.
As Kangnam introduced one of his cards and discussed its value, the co-stars were visibly stunned when it was revealed that a certain card's value could reach 800 million won. Describing the condition of the card, Kangnam mentioned a PS10 grade, explaining that PS10 signifies a perfect condition. He added that if this card were a product from 1999, it could be worth approximately 800 million won.
The broadcast also touched upon astronomical transaction cases in the Pokémon card market. Kangnam shared a case where an American YouTuber purchased a single Pikachu card for 7.7 billion won, only for its value to soar to 23.9 billion won a few years later. Kangnam revealed that he could not bring his most expensive card to the studio as it is kept at home. When asked about the price of his most valuable card at home, Kangnam's response of approximately 1 billion won left the set in an uproar.
"Not for investment" — Pure passion for collecting
As the high price tags of the collectibles became a hot topic, the cast questioned whether he collects cards for investment purposes. In response, Kangnam drew a line, stating that no true collector says they collect for the sake of investment. He emphasized that he collects solely to acquire the cards, noting that collectors stay in daily contact to buy and sell cards. He added that a culture exists among collectors where phone calls are exchanged daily to facilitate collecting.
Kangnam expressed his firm resolve never to sell his cards, even if offered high prices. However, he gave a realistic answer, noting that it would be natural to sell them if he were to face financial difficulties. Kangnam revealed that he does not view his collection merely as money, but cherishes them with the same sentiment as those who buy paintings. He conveyed his sincerity toward collecting, explaining that the act of purchasing cards is much like the mindset of art collectors.
