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Associated Press
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Heyone Debuts Limited-Edition Collectibles Globally at PTS Singapore, Drawing Widespread Attention
08/15/2025, Chengdu // PRODIGY: Feature Story // From August 22 to 24, 2025, the third edition of the international POP TOY SHOW (PTS) will take place at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore. As an important part of the 'Beijing × Singapore POP TOY SHOW Dual-City Plan,' this year's exhibition has attracted hundreds of well-known designer toy artists and manufacturers, promising a creative and artistic industry event for toy lovers around the world. Chinese original designer toy brand Heyone will present brand-new limited-edition products from its popular IPs, OZAI and MIMI, at this exhibition. With its distinctive design style and strong market appeal, Heyone has become one of the most anticipated Chinese designer toy brands at this year's show. Heyone was founded in 2022, focusing on creating street culture and sharing pure playfulness. The brand has already developed an IP matrix led by 'OZAI' and 'MIMI,' which are favored by Gen Z consumers both at home and abroad. As a 'resident guest' at PTS Singapore, Heyone has participated in the event for three consecutive years and achieved outstanding results. Looking back at previous editions, the brand has repeatedly debuted bestselling new products, and the long lines in front of its booth have become a symbolic scene of the exhibition. At PTS 2024, Heyone's immersive booth themed 'Bamboo Grove Encounter' left a lasting impression, while limited-edition products such as 'OZAI-Count Your Blessings' and 'MIMI-Panda ' received widespread acclaim. 'Singapore is a strategic hub in the Southeast Asian market with enormous potential. We have always regarded the PTS exhibition as an important platform and are committed to presenting the most creative new designer toys to our fans. At the same time, by directly interacting with consumers, we gain valuable feedback to continuously improve our product strategy,' said a Heyone brand representative. According to reports, at this year's exhibition, Heyone will present a themed booth titled 'Heart-signal in Singapore,' cleverly combining Nanyang architectural styles with rainbow color tones to create an immersive space named 'A Rainbow-Colored Nanyang Dream.' The brand will showcase several new products, including limited-edition figurines such as 'OZAl-Resonance Seeker ' and 'MlMl-Scent of a Memory' as well as a new series of blind boxes like 'OZAI-The Hooded Adventures ' Among them, the 'OZAl-Resonance Seeker' has become the most eye-catching collectible at the booth thanks to its unique magnetic attraction design and glossy finish. One young fan from Singapore commented, 'Heyone's products always perfectly combine creativity and quality. I hope I can successfully get the limited-edition figures at the PTS show.' In addition to product displays and sales, Heyone's booth will also feature a series of giveaway activities, such as 'Input OZAI's Secret Code' and 'Catch MIMI's Romantic Signal,' offering premium merchandise from its IP lineup. 'We have always regarded fans as co-creators of the brand. We welcome friends from Singapore and around the world to visit the Heyone booth, experience our products, and share your thoughts! Whether it's emotional resonance or suggestions for improvement, we look forward to face-to-face communication and aim to provide every fan with the best exhibition experience,' said the Heyone brand representative. Since its founding, Heyone has consistently appeared at top Southeast Asian toy exhibitions such as TTE and PTS, and held multiple creative pop-up events, receiving enthusiastic responses from local fans. In recent years, the brand has accelerated its global expansion, making appearances in Paris, Singapore, Seoul, and Bangkok, and its original, ingenious designs have earned the admiration of designer toy enthusiasts worldwide. Heyone's return to PTS, with an impressive lineup of exclusive new products, showcases its firm commitment to deepening its presence in Singapore and the Southeast Asian market. Its performance at the event is highly anticipated. Heyone Official Global Website: source=referral&utm medium= PTS_SINGAPORE_2025 Media Contact： Heyone Rong Zhongtao [email protected] Source published by Submit Press Release >> Heyone Debuts Limited-Edition Collectibles Globally at PTS Singapore, Drawing Widespread Attention
South China Morning Post
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong creator of Carbi the rice ball shares how the soft toy increased her confidence
Every week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we've written. With a round, huggable body and an assortment of mischievous expressions, Carbi the rice ball is a soft toy making waves in Hong Kong. Carbi's creator, 26-year-old illustrator Carina Wong, said the toy's name was a playful nod to the word 'carbohydrates'. 'Rice is a staple across Asia and my personal favourite food,' the Hongkonger explained. According to Wong, Carbi's basic rice ball form is a perfect blank canvas for the imagination, and its simplicity invites endless possibilities for what it can represent. 'This allows individuals to connect with Carbi in their own unique way and project their personal ideas and feelings onto the character,' she explained. Seriously cute: psychologist explains Chiikawa's popularity among Hong Kong youth Each Carbi plush tells its own little story through its unique expressions. Wong said her top three favourites are the 'sleepy Carbi', 'smiling Carbi', and 'slightly frustrated Carbi', explaining that since these emotions are 'universally human', they make the character more relatable. Wong, who also has a full-time job as a graphic designer, created the character in 2020. She was inspired by the two loves of her life: rice and her nine-year-old Pomeranian, Muffin. 'The idea behind Carbi actually came from how much happiness Muffin brings me and my family. These cherished memories we create together are the foundation of Carbi's being,' she said. Carbi (right) and his girlfriend, Carbina. Photo: Handout Finding comfort in Carbi Over the past three years, the whimsical character has even become a staple at POP TOY SHOW in Singapore, a major annual event in Southeast Asia for pop culture toys, collectibles and merchandise. Wong recounted how a young girl approached her at the event in August with her own Carbi plushie, saying it helped her feel safe at night and protected her from nightmares. 'I was really touched [to hear that] because I used to be this girl who found comfort in my soft toy when I was scared,' she said. Carbi at the POP TOY SHOW held in Singapore last August. Photo: Handout 'To have this child tell me how Carbi has such a positive impact on her further motivated me to give back to the community, especially in the area of mental health.' She noted that teenagers in Hong Kong face lots of academic pressure while navigating the complexities of adolescence. In such times, characters like Carbi can provide a unique form of support, acting as a silent companion when they need to process their feelings privately. Top 10: The blind box toys readers would create Taking chances Carbi has also made a difference in Wong's personal life, helping her open up. 'A lot of people only know me as the rice ball girl. They did not know how I looked until very recently. I used to do only faceless [Instagram] reels as I am actually quite shy,' she said. Thanks to Carbi fans, she is getting more comfortable being on camera. 'The incredible encouragement and support from the Carbi community gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone,' she said. The illustrator is continuing to push her boundaries with her future creative projects. She is preparing for another toy show in August and already has new ideas for expanding the Carbi universe, which currently also includes Carbina, Carbi's girlfriend. 'I hope that by sharing my own journey, it encourages others to also take chances,' she said. 'It's OK to try and see what happens, regardless of the reaction.' To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.
