With Children’s Day looming, many Korean parents are looking for gift items that can satisfy the whims of their kids without breaking the bank.

According to a survey by online shopping mall 11st, a toy from almighty mega-franchise Power Rangers ― Power Ranger Dino Force, to be precise ― was picked as kids’ most wanted gift, with 25 percent, followed by an Avengers 2 action set with 20 percent. Robot car series such as Hello Carbot and Tobot took the third place with 18 percent.

Parents’ plans, however, were far from the children’s wishes.

About 25 percent of surveyed parents considered buying Benz electric cars for their children. Strollers and tricycles were the second favored items with 20 percent, followed by board games, with 18 percent, the survey said.

“Most children prefer character toys as always. It seems that parents tend to pick toys and presents that can be played together with the family,” officials from the online shopping mall said.

Meanwhile, Korean character toys are dominating the local market with growing popularity, the industry’s report said.

According to local supermarket chain Lotte Mart, Hello Carbot topped in sales between January and April this year, with 29.3 percent, followed by Power Rangers, with 25.2 percent ― the only foreign character toy in the top five. 


Tobot, which was ranked No. 1 last year with over 50 percent, plummeted to 18.2 percent. Local characters Turning Mecard and Miniforce stood at the fourth and fifth positions, with 16.2 percent and 11.1 percent, respectively.

Last year, only two of the top five toys were Korean products, industry officials said.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)