The End of Ngee Khiong
Ngee Khiong. A name that I'm sure many an Otaku will know very well. For almost 5 years, he has selflessly sacrificed his time and energy to provide the fans with exceedingly informative, up-to-date and accurate news about Gundam, Tokusatsu and the Occasional Anime merchandise.
http://ngeekhiong.blogspot.com/
As a figure maniac myself, I frequent his blog on a daily basis and time and time again it has been something to look forward to at the end of a hard day at school. I'm sure many of you also feel the same way.
I never though I'd see the day when Ngee Khiong would close down, but alas, it has finally come. As of today October 1st 2010, Ngee Khiong will be shutting down.
As a great fan of his, I can't really do much but to salute the man who, for years, neither asked or received anything for his tireless efforts. A man we all shall sorely miss, Ngee Khiong.
You can read his reasons with regards to the closure of his blog at his blog. However, here it is, reproduced for your convenience:
Earlier this year I was hoping that this blog of mine would last longer than Gunota Headlines, and just a few days ago when I announced that I'm reviewing my interest to continue the blog, I was still hanging on to the idea that I could do that, but the answer was very clear since a long time ago, going on like this till March next year will be a dragging pain for me for another 6 months.
So, my greatest apology to my friends, loyal readers, frequent visitors and friends of this blog, I would like to formally announce that this blog, Ngee Khiong will end today (October 1st). There will be another posting coming up, a very long writeup on the decision to quit,which I pondered since September last year, coming up after this to provide some justification to this harsh outcome. In between this and that upcoming posting, there will be no more updates on hobby related news - something I need to remind myself of as well (bitter smile ^^;)
In before that posting, I would like to thank everyone who visit my blog. I understand that there are many people who read my blog "intensely" - several times a day. I thank you for that. And I thank all the forums, websites and blogs who linked to mine on certain news, and I would also like to give my biggest thanks to all the forums and websites, first Gunota Headlines before it closed in 2008, then Toysdaily, CyberGundam, ToyWorld Forum, Futaba Imageboard, Muso's Photo Album and many other Japanese hobby websites that you can find from the links I posted in all my previous postings. I do believe that the people who run those sites are far more respectable than me, because they get the news faster than I do, but they always go low profile, unsung heroes that they are. My thanks to all of them, and many others I can't list out here for the great news all these years.
I would also like to thank all the people who sent me emails regarding my decision to close the blog since the announcement. Thank you for your concern. I hope the next posting will answer all your questions about this decision to quit.
Lastly, in before that last posting of this blog, I would like to clear off some guesses as to why the sudden end. It's not about having no time to maintain it; not about having other priorities or work; definitely not about money. The truth is, I'm extremely disappointed with the development of the Gundam and Gunpla community as I see it now, so tired I don't want to share my interest in Gundam and Gunpla anymore on this blog. I used to think that things would be better with more timely information on various products and news, but the segregation, discrimination and general perception of many so-called Gundam and Gunpla fans is worse than 5 years ago, despite my effort of showing objectivity in whatever I say through the blog, and I don't want to be part of this anymore. Fact: I have all the time and energy in the world to update my blog - just see how many posting I did last month, but I have zero intention to do so now. I will shut up about anything about Gundam from now on, except through emails and comments on some of my friends' blogs.
I will discuss about all that displeasure in the next posting, but before that, maybe you would like to think about some of these issues as well:
- "UC fans", "Gundam SEED & SEED Destiny fans", "Gundam UC fans", Gundam fans
- Pirated Gunplas
- What is the value of your Gunpla in your life?
- Websites seeking publicity, profit, hits and visitor number over real interest in Gundam and related hobby.
Gunota Headlines closed down graciously, but I don't think I can have that luxury. ^^; The next posting is going to be a great bashing on many people, as least that's how I envisioned it to be. But the bottom line is, this is the end of this blog. Thank you.
Also, do check out this interview of Ngee Khiong conducted by Open The Toy and get to know the man behind the blog:
http://openthetoy.blogspot.com/2010/08/interview-with-ngee-khiong.html
Truly this info has been a devastating blow to me.My only source for gunpla n gundam updates.then again,it's not like there's anything we can do,aside than supporting his decision.
NO! Guess its ok..Wishing him a best of luck in life!
And I cried... Now where I could find a substitute for Gunpla news?
Wait, there's SRW Hotnews! But I hope that website will continue...
Yeah, but Ngee Khiong put more dedication though.
Not to mention SRW Hotnews is prone to occasional bouts of internet violence...
>_>
Sounds like the next place Ngee Khiong readers will head to... (inc me).
I can't find another decent site lol
Alas, one of the most prominent English blogs about the latest in Gunpla and anime mecha/figurine updates is gone. It will be harder for the rest of us to keep in line with the trends in Japan. :/
- The moderates, as usual, are being outshouted by the radicals on both sides of the field. >_<
- Unfortunately.
- My... inspiration? They have quite a number of roles in my life... ^^
- Again... unfortunately.
I'd ask him to look on the bright side of things since he now has a hella lot more time to himself, but it would be insensitive, to say the least for someone who was as dedicated as any of us when it came to Gunpla and beyond.
As well, he never said he was going to quit Gundam, and by extension anime altogether; he just said he would be shutting down his blog and taking a passive role. So, all the best of luck to Ngee Khiong, and his new path.
His reaction to the minor fans who grumbled a lot is understandable, but I thought closing down the chatbox would at least made him feel better. We would have to wait for his final post to see his comments but I think he's overreacting though.
allow me to look for some tissues and a bucket.... i'm already mopping the floor of my tears of sadness.... TT_TT
This is sad news to hear, I hope everything works out for him. I truly do appreciate all the work and dedication he put into that site as it was also one of my main sources of getting information about all that is mecha in Japan. His stie will be missed.
I wish I could have met this guy once over a keg of beer or something; he seems like a great guy to talk to about Gunpla. NgeeKhiong has to be the one site I visit more than three times a day, in fact I go eight times a day. I don't mind him ending the blog, he's just explained some pretty good reasons. But somehow it's still a really huge blow to my mind, the site being the only real Gunpla info site I check out and trust enough to go back to.
Too bad he's contemplating closing NKex as well, I liked his kit-building style.
*sob sob*
So it finally comes to this. Bummer.
This is sad, I was just getting into blogging about my Gundams and was getting into it more and more. I just do it for fun, hits on my site do nothing for me (though I do appreciate them). I look forward to hearing why he decided this in depth. It will be sad to see him go and I'll kinda miss that picture of him smiling, He just looks like someone who was enjoying life and what he did. I wish him the best.
the name sounds familiar (well, i'm an outcast otaku) . and realized it was one of the sites that i frequent in figure photo searching.
I'm so so sad about it. I read NK every day, it's simply the best source for Gundam news.
Gundam really has the worst fanbase..
indeed sad. i would said only those radical minded would post outrageous comment over there. for moderate fans like me, i normally choose to stay quiet so ... it is sort of unfair to say gundam has the worst fanbase