Hello, I'm Ben Ben Ben, a toy enthusiast from Hong Kong. This is my first submission to Toy People, so I kindly ask for guidance from all fellow toy collectors in the Chinese-speaking community.
In addition to photographing toys, my articles will also introduce Cantonese songs, using lyrics as a thematic prelude to draw everyone into my toy world, sharing my thoughts and perspectives on the things around me.
Over the past year, with changes in living circumstances, new toys quickly became old toys. Gradually, I bought fewer new items and instead spent more time playing with older ones.
Naturally, the old ones had to be taken out of the display cabinet, dusted, and maintained.
I suddenly remembered that a long time ago, I bought a set of custom-made vintage-style alloy stickers for the Soul of Chogokin Future Robo Daltanious (Golden Mane Lion King) from an old friend (who is a graphic designer and also a toy enthusiast). I planned to apply them when I had time.
Who knew that "when I had time" would turn into several years in the blink of an eye.....
Over these past few years, many things in Hong Kong have changed. Whether for better or worse, I am speechless. Let's get back to the stickers.
Aren't they exquisite?
I must commend my friend's meticulousness and professionalism; every sticker placement was precisely measured, with deviations so minimal they were practically perfect.
Front
Back
Especially when paired with BANDAI's newly molded vintage-style alloy lion head for the GX59R, and then adding these retro stickers, all my childhood memories of playing with the Golden Mane Lion King came flooding back.
What a wonderful 80s!
To recapture the glory of that era now, we can only rely on each of you, like my old friend, sitting in front of your computers, to give back what you've learned to society.
You and I, let's keep going!
Postscript:
The song chosen as the title's prelude this time is called "Siu Lam's Secret Manual". I believe friends born in the 70s and 80s, even if they haven't heard the Cantonese adaptation, must have heard the original version.
The Cantonese version was sung by Alex Kwok (郭小霖), an excellent singer-songwriter. Many 90s commercial jingles were his work. Unfortunately, he was too low-key and later focused on behind-the-scenes creation, disappearing from the public eye. (He also released an album in Taiwan; some friends might remember 'Acquaintance but Not in Love'. I'll have a chance to introduce more of his songs later.)
As for the lyrics, they were handled by the brilliant Richard Lam (林振强), who used office politics as a metaphor for martial arts duels, depicting how deceit and trickery are not the right path. He advised workers to abandon selfishness, emphasizing that only by working diligently and fulfilling one's duties will one ultimately receive good rewards.
The wisdom within also aligns with the "selflessness" I want to discuss in this article.
There's also a related 'gag' or 'easter egg': the Cantonese version begins with a monologue by the late martial arts master Sek Kin (石堅師父), who was universally known in the 60s for playing villains in Wong Fei-hung Cantonese black-and-white films.
By the 70s and 80s, as black-and-white films declined, Uncle Kin joined TVB, still managed by Sir Run Run Shaw, continuing his acting career. This led him to even more household-name roles, the most famous being Xie Xun, the 'Golden Mane Lion King' in 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber'. (Actually, Uncle Kin had already played the Lion King once during the era of Cantonese feature films, but it was the widespread television viewing in the 70s that made him even more famous.)
I've been writing for a while, and my hand is a bit sore. Let's listen to the song together!
https://youtu.be/W2hwSP3OZ2g?si=dGV_yw7j_lpddWeF
See you next time!
P.S. Finally, there's an easter egg: my old friend's Facebook profile picture is Uncle Kin's likeness. Have any toy friends encountered him on FB? Say hello to him if you get a chance!