[YouTube channel 'Dongne Chingu Gangnaemi']
[YouTube channel 'Dongne Chingu Gangnaemi']

Singer Gangnam, 39, who has drawn attention for collecting high-priced Pokémon cards, is making headlines again after purchasing a single card worth about 50 million won ($36,800).

A video titled "The No. 1 Pokémon card in the world… Gangnaemi got his hands on it" was posted Thursday on Gangnam's YouTube channel, Dongne Chingu Gangnaemi.

In the video, Gangnam visited the country's largest Pokémon card event. "I wasn't even invited — I just showed up. The line to get in is incredibly long. I've never seen anything like this," he said, visibly excited.

While browsing rare cards at the venue, Gangnam spotted one that caught his eye. The price tag, however, was a staggering 50 million won. When he asked, "Wait, is that price right?", a staff member replied, "That's just the going market price."

Gangnam spent a long time deliberating over the cost but ultimately made up his mind. "In my opinion, this is the best card here today," he said, and bought it.

After getting the card, Gangnam said his hands were shaking, then quipped, "I need to work. I need to work a lot" — drawing laughs.

Gangnam is well known for his Pokémon card collection and already owns several cards worth more than 10 million won each. A recent video on his YouTube channel revealed that the total value of his collection has reached 200 million won.

Born to a Japanese father and a Korean mother, Gangnam made his debut in South Korea in 2011 as a member of the group M.I.B. He married former speed skater Lee Sang-hwa in 2019 and has since become a naturalized Korean citizen.


paq@heraldcorp.com