Mattel announces BTS doll launch this summer but ARMY has its doubts

Move over Ken, Barbie will have several new friends to hang out with this summer. 

Mattel, the US toy manufacturing company behind Barbie doll, announced today (Jan 7) that it is collaborating with Big Hit Entertainment to create dolls of seven-member K-Pop band BTS. 

According to online reports, a worldwide licensing agreement was announced today at the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair. 

“BTS is a pop-culture music phenomenon that transcends age, culture and language, and through this partnership, Mattel will offer a new way for millions across the world to engage with the band,” said Sejal Shah Miller, senior vice president and global brand general manager for Mattel, in a statement published on Kpop Herald. 

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Over on its official Twitter and Instagram handles though, Mattel has confirmed that the dolls will be priced at US$19.99 (S$27) each, and fans can expect to get their hands on them by summer 2019. 

The dolls are also said to be modelled after the boys' looks in one of their latest music videos, IDOL. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBuZEGYXA6E[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/seokjinbit/status/1082080331862163456[/embed]

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[embed]https://twitter.com/MaHa242000/status/1082081530124488704[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/bbbangtann/status/1082086333504540672[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/_MeowYoongi_/status/1082075614633517057[/embed]

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joeylee@asiaone.com