Finding Six of the Seven Mattel BTS Idol Dolls

Mattel BTS Suga, RM, and J-Hope from left to right

Mattel BTS Jimin, Jung Kook, and V from left to right

Since this post is only a doll locator one, I'm entering it separately from my mini series "Discovering BTS Via Mattel's BTS Idol Dolls" posts. Below are the specific stores where I found the BTS Idol dolls.

J-Hope, RM, and Suga $5.00 each, Five Below

1529 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19102

 

Jimin and Jung Kook $5.00 each, Five Below
2200 Wheatsheaf Lane

Suite E6

Philadelphia, PA 19137

V $13.98 (sale price) Target
2701 Castor Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19134-5505 

I am looking to get Jin next. He would complete my BTS Idol collection. Also, there is a Prestige collection, where the members wear their fashions from the S version concept photos for the Love Yourself: Answer album. Prestige Jin has silver loafers while Prestige J-Hope has silver-studded black slip-ons. Sigh. I'd LOVE some of the fashions and footwear from that line, but I don't know if I'm willing to pay $49.99 each. Shrug. We'll see. Maybe Mattel will produce a third line of these dolls and then reduce the costs? Then again the Prestige line looks especially glamorous ....

Discovering BTS Via Mattel's BTS Idol Dolls, Part 1

Mattel BTS dolls greeted by some East Philly A.R.M.Y.

When I first saw the BTS dolls, I thought, "Not for me." I'm on the shady side of fifty. I don't know much about rap or hip hop except that I like Tupac Shakur's "California Love."  I don't collect Pullip dolls although I do have - or had - one Sharp doll by Sonokong. Most significantly, I know zilch about the Korean language. So I'm not a likely buyer for dolls based on a renown K-pop group. Or am I?

Fast forward a few months. I read on one of my doll-related Facebook  groups that Five Below is carrying the BTS dolls for $5.00 each. New Asian male faces in play scale plus budget price? I check a My Froggy Stuff video. Hmmm ... interesting. I check two re-dressing videos - one re-dressing BTS dolls V and Jungkook and another re-dressing ALL of the BTS members. Wonder what they sound like? So I listen to and watch the videos "On" and "Idol." Hey, they're GOOD. I mean, I love the choreography and the strong beats. Next thing, I'm "just glancing" at the guys in various interviews. It doesn't hit me until I'm watching their 7 year anniversary party, but I'm smitten. BTS is adorable. 

So am I hauling dolls, action figures, cat, two turtles and self to South Korea?

Pause to consider. Nooooo ... I mean my family is here. I'm only getting on an airplane when the ground around me is ensconced in flames. I don't speak or understand the Korean language. I love my creature comforts. "Smitten" over 50 is not the same as "smitten" at say 16 or 20. Senior smitten means I'm gonna maybe buy some DVDs and/or create a YouTube playlist. I'm not attending any concerts - pause in horror at the idea of doing so even BEFORE the present Coronavirus nightmare - or vying with younger fans or about to become an - ahem - A.R.M.Y. member. I will feel happy to have learned about them, long-distance fond of them, and so going to get the other BTS dolls. C’est tout.

For Part 2 of this blog topic, I'll debox the BTS dolls I have and compare them with other dolls and action figures I have. Usually, I find dolls of real people and that's that. I like the new faces. This has to be the first time getting a doll series sparked interest in a musical group for me. Anyone else become a BTS fan - or fan of other artists - after a doll purchase?




 

Liberating 2005 Barbie Fashion Fever Wave U Christie

Hello 2020. I am continuing the doll liberation project initiated last October. The next doll to be freed from her box is Fashion Fever Christie from Wave U. Her outfit - at least the top - I don't like almost as much as I disliked the Benetton Christie's. The candy pink color with tepid purple ruched trim sleeves as well as the child-themed princess rendered this top totally unsuitable to a doll with her sophisticated dark lip color and streaked hair. Here she is in her original tube and re-dressed.

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie in original tube - full length

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie in original tube - side view

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie in original tube - back view

I am glad that I didn't sell this Christie.

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie tube removed - head and torso

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie front below waist

Tag attached to Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie's tube 

Other side of tags attached to Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie's tube

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie side view

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie rear view of jeans

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie fashion, front view

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie fashion, rear view

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie cringe-worthy top, front

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie top, front showing separation

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie top, turned inside out

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie redressed in Integrity Toys Janay's blouse

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie redressed in Integrity Toys Janay's blouse, back view

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie redressed in Mattel Fashion Fever closet tribal-themed dress

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave U Christie redressed in Fashion Fever closet tribal-themed dress, back view

Two Mattel Fashion Fever Christies, together

I'm happy with both of these Christies. They are both "keepers." Any suggestions for future re-dressing ideas? Should I have put the tribal dress on the Benetton Christie?

World Doll Day 2020

June 13, 2020 as the second Saturday in June is World Doll Day.

To celebrate this day, I thought I'd share photos of the newest dolls I've purchased and/or brought out to de-box. Additional photos and discussions will follow.

Mattel Fashionistas 97 wearing Mattel My Scene Barbie denim romper

Mattel Fashion Fever Christies

Budget medical staff

Mattel Fashionistas left to right 49, 62, 123, and 126

Mattel Ibtihaj Muhammad, WWE Asuka, and WWE Bayley

Mattel WWE Lana

Hasbro Mulan

Mattel BMR1959 Neon Motocross Dress

Mattel BMR1959 Biker shorts

Mattel Fashion Fever Drew