{
  "id": 15594575,
  "title": "What's driving Hong Kong's growing Pokemon card craze?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/whats-driving-hong-kongs-growing-pokemon-card-craze",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T10:47:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-pokemon-card-collecting-craze-bubble-6471411"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hong Kong's fascination with Pokemon cards is on the rise, driven by collectors who seek rare finds and the excitement of trading events. However, the surge in prices for some cards has sparked concerns about a potential bubble, with economist Thomas Yuen warning that some buyers may be purchasing with the intention of flipping for a profit. The Pokemon Trading Card Game, launched in Japan in 1996, has become a global phenomenon, with some rare cards fetching millions of dollars. In Hong Kong, the hobby is enjoying a recent boom, with trading events becoming more frequent. The scarcity of certain cards and growing interest among buyers have contributed to soaring auction bids. Some collectors, like 36-year-old pilot Kenneth Ho, are drawn to the game's addictive gameplay and the status associated with owning rare cards. Others, like 18-year-old student Candy, are motivated by the thrill of collecting and the excitement of discovering rare cards.",
  "summary": "Pokemon card collecting is gaining momentum in Hong Kong, with enthusiasts drawn to rare finds. But an economist warns that rising prices for some cards could signal a bubble.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Can Hong Kong become a new centre for frontier medicine?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/can-hong-kong-become-a-new-centre-for-frontier-medicine",
        "published": "2026-10-19T03:35:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}