LABUBU: new series, collabs, drops and resale.
Summaries are AI-generated
LABUBU is a blind box figure from POP MART that has gone viral due to celebrity endorsements from Lisa, Rihanna, and others. With over 300 variants, the official retail price is around US$32 per box, but limited editions can reach US$7,000 on the resale market. Some UK stores temporarily halted sales due to fighting, and the manufacturer is adjusting the release mechanism.
Created by artist Kasing Lung in 2015, LABUBU went viral in 2023 through keychain blind boxes, driven by celebrities like Rihanna and Blackpink's Lisa. In 2024, POP MART's revenue exceeded 13 billion yuan, with blind box toy revenue up over 1200%, with adult consumers as the main force.
LABUBU is a viral stuffed monster with devious eyes and a wide, toothy smile.
LABUBU, a quirky monster doll by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, has sparked global demand. Despite its eerie appearance, its kind-hearted backstory has fueled a craze, leading to counterfeit flooding and advice to buy directly from POP MART.
Kasing Lung, born in 1972 and raised in the Netherlands, was influenced by Nordic folklore. He transitioned from a children's book illustrator to a toy designer in 2010 and created LABUBU in 2015. In 2019, he signed an exclusive license with Pop Mart, leading to the character's rapid popularity. In March 2024, his work 'Mon' sold for HK$330,200 at auction.
