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POP MART's PLAYGROUND Magazine, V4 Member Edition: Issue Numbers, Labels and Packaging
POP MART's PLAYGROUND magazine with a "V4 member exclusive" sticker on the cover. Using our own photos of VOL.02 and VOL.07, we explain how to read the issue number, labels, wrapping and barcode, and what to check before buying.
Written by Koetsu Co., Ltd.
If you collect POP MART figures, you may come across PLAYGROUND, which is a magazine rather than a figure. Our shop Loop KOBE sells two issues, VOL.02 and VOL.07, each with a "V4会员限定" sticker on the cover. Using our own photos, this guide explains how to read the issue number and labels, and what to check before you buy.
What PLAYGROUND is
The cover is printed with the PLAYGROUND title, the issue number, "OFFICIAL POP MART" and the POP MART logo. It features large photos of figures, but the item is a paper magazine. Our listings also note that the figures shown on the front and back covers are not included.
The Malaysian paper The Star reported on 2 May 2025 that POP MART had launched a twice-yearly magazine called Playground, available through its online channels, some stores and bookshops abroad. We have not found an official source explaining how that launch relates to the issues with the "V4会员限定" sticker that we sell, so this guide only covers what we can confirm from the copies in hand.
The "V4会员限定" sticker
The round yellow sticker at the top right of the cover reads "V4会员限定" in simplified Chinese, with the POP MART logo. In English this means "V4 member exclusive". It appears to refer to a POP MART membership level, but we have not been able to confirm the distribution conditions or print run from an official source, so we only state that these issues carry this sticker.
Reading the issue number, wrapping and barcode
| Where to look | VOL.02 (our listing) | VOL.07 (our listing) |
|---|---|---|
| Issue number, lower left of cover | Vol.02 | VOL.07 |
| Cover sticker | V4会员限定 | V4会员限定 |
| Outer wrapping | Clear outer bag | Shrink film |
| Barcode number on back cover | 0602010047046 | 0602010047098 |
The issue number is printed at the lower left of the cover, as "Vol.02" or "VOL.07". If you are looking for a particular issue, check this first. The back cover has the POP MART logo, a photo of figures and a barcode sticker at the lower right, and the number differs between issues.
The wrapping differs between issues: our VOL.02 is in a clear outer bag and our VOL.07 in shrink film. Whether the wrapping is present, and whether it is torn, helps you judge if a copy has been opened. Before buying, check that the listing photos show the wrapping.
What to check before buying
- Issue number: the VOL marking at the lower left matches the issue you want
- Sticker: the "V4会员限定" sticker is on the cover
- Wrapping: the bag or film is shown in the photos and is not torn
- Corners and spine: magazines easily get bent corners or scuffed edges, so look for a side photo
- Contents: no figure is included; the figures only appear in the cover photos
Because a magazine is a paper product, bent corners and scuffed edges show more easily than on a figure box. Our listings include a side photo as well as the front and back covers. Use it to check the condition along the spine and edges, which the cover photo alone cannot show.
Both of our copies are still in their wrapping and have not been opened. That means we cannot confirm the page count, the language of the text or the contents. If you have questions, please contact us through the shop question feature on Mercari Shops.
For opened art toys, see our guide to art toy listings and condition. For Mercari's condition grades, see Mercari item condition grades explained.
Both copies are sold through our Loop KOBE shop on Mercari Shops. The listings show domestic shipping from Hyogo Prefecture by Yamato Transport. If you want an item delivered abroad, please check the terms of the proxy-buying or forwarding service you use. Stock and prices can change, so please check the VOL.07 listing and the VOL.02 listing for the latest details.
