Labubu, the latest must-have collectable, has been capturing hearts across Southeast Asia, including celebrities such as Lisa of Blackpink
Another day, another style trend. This time around? Fluffy toys adorning coveted luxury bags such as Birkins.
Last Friday saw a swarm of people rushing to Singapore’s Pop Toy Show for one reason: Labubu dolls.
For the uninitiated, this furry elf character was created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and is recognised by its pointy ears, impish smile and sharp teeth. While the character was introduced in 2015, it has since become popular for many reasons, including endorsements by celebrities like Blackpink’s Lisa.
“The rise of Labubu plushie is mainly due to an organic post by Lisa from Black Pink earlier this year. It first turned into an online meme, followed by a buying frenzy in Thailand where many local celebrities and KOLs [were hunting] for this blind box collection, It extended to other well-known individuals such as Thail Royal Family members and senators. This trend then started to expand to SEA region and further went back to China and other international markets,” shares Pop Mart International’s head of strategic partnerships Kevin Zhang.
From its origins to where we can get our hands on one, we share everything you need to know about this furry doll.
What is a Labubu doll?
In 2015, Lung created Labubu as part of a larger group of creatures called The Monsters which included other characters like Zimomo and Tycoco. These characters were inspired by Nordic fairy tales and were first drawn into children’s books.
2019 saw Lung entering into an exclusive licensing agreement with Chinese toy company Pop Mart, known for its collectable toys often sold in blind boxes. The partnership transitioned The Monsters from a storybook character into a collectable toy.
Since then, Labubu has been released in various colours, shapes and sizes, capturing the interest of fans around Asia. These dolls are also sold in different formats including plush toys and vinyl figures.
Above Singapore-exclusive Labubu doll (Photo: Pop Mart)
Why is the Labubu doll so popular?
The character first gained popularity when Lung published the story series featuring Labubu nine years ago.
While the mischievous character was first introduced in 2015, Labubu has recently become the latest must-have accessory thanks to Lisa of K-pop group Blackpink. Back in April, the K-pop idol posted a video of herself on her Instagram story hugging a Labubu plush doll from The Monsters’ Fall in Wild series. Over the next months, she has been seen decorating her Kaithe Elena bag and Birkin with Labubu pendants.
In an interview with Tatler Thailand back in May, Lung shared how he sent Lisa a Mega Labubu Tec to thank her for her support.
“I hope she likes it,” he said.
Above Mega Labubu Tec, a gift from Kasing Lung to Lisa Lalisa (Photo: Instagram / lalalalisa_m)
Above Lisa Blackpink and a Labubu Exciting Macaron surprise box (Photo: Instagram/lalalalisa_m)
Thanks to Lisa’s Instagram post, the popularity of the furry doll increased especially in Thailand. The K-pop star’s endorsement elevated Labubu’s status, making it a trendy accessory among her Thai fans—so much so that Thailand’s Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad issued a public warning to beware of fraud dolls.
Apart from Lisa, several Thai celebrities have also been seen sharing pictures of them and their Labubu dolls on social media, including actor and model Mario Maurer, actress Janjira Janpitakchai, and actress and model Araya Alberta Hargate.
Thailand has also become the country with the largest stock of Labubu dolls in Asia, making the collectables readily available to fans. This also led to a Labubu concept store in Bangkok, the first concept store outside China.
The Thai government has also partnered with Pop Mart to leverage Labubu’s popularity for tourism promotion. This year, a life-sized Labubu mascot in traditional Thai attire visited Bangkok for four days, exploring landmarks and engaging in cultural activities.
Where to get a Labubu doll?
Labubu dolls can be purchased through various channels. Pop Mart has several retail locations around Singapore that allow you to buy these dolls directly. Its official Singapore website also provides information on its various store locations and offerings. Apart from the official Pop Mart website, these dolls are also available to purchase on multiple online platforms including Carousell. However, it’s important to purchase from reputable sources to ensure authenticity.
Toy Collectible shows like the Pop Toy Show often showcases popular and limited edition Labubu dolls, such as the Singapore-exclusive Merlion Labubu pendant. These dolls are also sold in blind boxes, adding an element of surprise to the purchasing experience. Due to their popularity, the dolls can sell out quickly.
The Labubu craze has certainly not died down yet—as evident from the chaos seen at the Pop Toy Show this past weekend at Sands Expo at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre. This resulted in the cancellation of subsequent sale dates. Various Labubu merchandise pieces are also sold out on Pop Mart Singapore’s official website.
With the doll’s whimsical charm and growing popularity, we have our eyes peeled for the next style trend to hit our country—fluffy toy and all.