Latest news with #TheMonsters
The Journal
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Journal
The viral Labubu craze goes global and Beijing hopes to remind the world of 'cool China'
THERE'S A NEW craze in town and it's already captured celebrities from Cher to David Beckham. Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Kim Kardashian are also among the big names to have been seen with Labubu dolls dangling from their handbags and luggage in recent weeks. The doll are made in China and the country's official state news agency has even expressed hope that Labubu dolls will allow the western world to see 'Cool China' . But what exactly is a Labubu? Part-toy, part-fashion accessory, Labubu dolls are having a viral moment even though they're not exactly an overnight sensation. Labubu started out as a storybook character created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. While born in Hong Kong, Lung moved to the Netherlands when he was 7 and the Labubu characters are inspired by the Nordic fairy tales he was then introduced to. In 2015, Lung released an illustrated book series called The Monsters and the book's star was Labubu – a small monster with high, pointed ears and serrated teeth. Labubu toys in a store in Shanghai. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Labubu is described as being 'very kind-hearted and always wants to help others while accidentally doing bad things'. How did it turn into a toy? Lung went on to release a toy line of the Monsters featured in his book with a Hong Kong toy company called How2Work. The toys however are more accurately described as 'art toys', which are collectibles created by designers and artists and usually come in limited editions. In 2019, Lung entered into an exclusive partnership with Chinese toy company Pop Mart in 2019. What happened after Pop Mart got involved? According to Pop Mart, the revenue generated from the first Monsters toy series broke the sales record in the art toy category. Pop Mart has over 400 stores globally, including 30 US branches and 16 UK branches. The toys received a further boost in 2024 when Lisa, a Thai singer and actress with over 106 million followers on Instagram, began posting about her Labubu dolls. Lisa made her acting debut this year in the HBO television series The White Lotus. Lisa posing with her Labubu dolls lalalalisa_m's Instagram lalalalisa_m's Instagram From there, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, David Beckham, Dua Lipa and Cher have been among the famous faces pictured with the dolls. Labubu mania has taken over social media, after Lisa from BLACKPINK first posted her love for the adorable toys. Now other celebrities are joining the craze! — E! News (@enews) June 13, 2025 The global craze caused a London branch of Pop Mart to suspend in-store sales of the toys last month, fearing violence from would-be buyers who failed to get their hands on the limited-edition Labubus. Following this incident, Pop Mart said it is reviewing the way its toys are distributed to help create a fair and safe environment for its customers. And in China, the toys have been promised as freebies for new bank customers – an incentive quickly shut down by local regulators, according to Chinese media reports. Advertisement How does China feel about Labubumania? State news agency Xinhua said Labubu 'shows the appeal of Chinese creativity, quality and culture in a language the world can understand'. It also said the toys are giving the world a chance to see 'cool China' and that Labubu is part of 'rebranding the 'Made in China' label from manufacturing to imagination'. 'In a time of rising geopolitical tensions, the charm of Labubu reminds the world that Chinese creativity, too, can be intimate, idiosyncratic, and incontrovertibly cool,' said an article which appeared today on Xinhua. Meanwhile, Allison Malmsten, an analyst at China-based Daxue Consulting, said vital exports such as Labubu shows that China is 'undergoing a soft-power shift where its products and image are increasingly cool among young Westerners'. Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China's global image 'similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo'. Labubu products at a Pop Mart store in Beijing, China. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Elsewhere, Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations, an American think tank focused on US foreign policy and international relations, said that exports such as Labubu could 'improve the image of China as a place that has companies that can produce globally attractive goods or services'. There have been few success stories of Chinese companies selling upmarket goods under their own brands, faced with stereotypes of cheap and low-quality products. Currently, the country's best-known exporter is fast-fashion website Shein. However, Kurlantzick said he is uncertain if exports such as Labubu 'impacts images of China's state or government', pointing to how South Korea's soft power has not translated into similar levels of political might. How much do they cost? Labubus, which typically sell for around €20, are released in limited quantities and sold in 'blind boxes', meaning buyers don't know the exact model they will receive. However, some items from the Monsters series on the Pop Mart website can be priced as high as €1,300 and the toys face a steep markup on the re-sale market. Resellers are also said to cause tension in physical stores. Large queue formed at Pop Mart in central Manchester as it launched version three of the art toy 'Big Into Energy' Labubu series Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'People wait for hours queuing up in front of the store and it's so sad to see them be disappointed, because the resellers create a really difficult environment for them, or they get violent,' said Engie, a supervisor at Pop Mart in London. UK collector Rayy Raphael said prices had reached £500 (€585) for rare dolls and claimed that it's 'just not safe to take it outside at the moment'. 'There's so many TikTok trends at the moment of how people are getting punched,' he added. David Beckham posted a Labubu to his Instagram Instagram / DavidBeckham Instagram / DavidBeckham / DavidBeckham Meanwhile, knockoffs have flooded online platforms, with the fakes dubbed 'Lafufus' by social media users. Real Labubus can be verified with a QR code on the bottom of each box, but some re-sellers may disguise a fake toy inside authentic boxes. Lafufus can be identified by twisted limbs, misshapen heads, or the incorrect number of teeth whereas real Labubus have nine. Chinese customs officials said this week that they had seized more than 70,000 fake dolls in recent days. -With additional reporting from © AFP 2025 Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Business Insider
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Labubu's parent company's stock is down after China issued a warning on a lucrative sales strategy
Labubu's parent company, Pop Mart, saw its stock price slide after China issued a warning on the addictive nature of blind boxes. Pop Mart's stock dropped by more than 5% on Friday and by about 14% in the past five days. The slump comes after People's Daily, a publication run by the Chinese Communist Party, published an article on Thursday warning about the blind box sales strategy, saying its addictive nature can hook children. While the article did not mention Pop Mart specifically, it discussed products like blind trading cards and mystery boxes. China has, since 2023, banned the sale of blind boxes to children under eight years of age. Blind boxes are toys with unlabeled packaging, leaving the contents a mystery to the buyer. This sales strategy spurs consumers to purchase more in the hopes of getting their hands on the toy design they want. Figurines of Pop Mart's most popular product line, The Monsters — known for one of its characters, Labubu — are sold in the blind box format. Pop Mart's blind boxes in The Monsters collection cost between $10 and $20. Ana Gonzales, a 38-year-old social media manager based in the Philippines, previously told BI that she has spent upward of $500 on blind boxes. "Not knowing what color you'll get adds so much excitement," Gonzales said. "Opening a blind box after a long day or tiring week feels like unwrapping a gift to myself or a little reward." Pop Mart isn't the only company selling toys in blind boxes, but the global success of Labubu makes it one of the most visible. While its stock took a hit this week, Pop Mart has seen tremendous success recently, with its stock price increasing by about 500% in the past year. Recently, Pop Mart paused physical sales of The Monsters in South Korea and the UK, citing long queues outside their stores. Labubu dolls have enjoyed celebrity endorsements from major K-pop artists, Rihanna, and Dua Lipa. The trendy toy has also sparked legions of knockoffs, nicknamed " Lafufus" on social media.
Hypebeast
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
JOOPITER's sacai x SEVENTEEN Auction Sets Record for Highest-Selling LABUBU
Summary JOOPITERhas officially announced the success of itssacaixSEVENTEENauction, which closed with a white glove sale — all lots sold. At the heart of the auction were 14 exclusive, customizableLABUBUcollectibles dressed in sacai-designed outfits. The 14 LABUBU figures — customized POP MART x How2work Green Edition plush toys fromKasing Lung's The Monsters series — generated a total of $337,500 USD. 13 were styled in tan onesies with distinctive gold and silver accessories around the neck, representing each member of SEVENTEEN. The 14th, a special edition in a secret colorway inspired by one ofPharrell Williams' favorite sacai pieces. The top lot sold for $31,250 USD, setting a new record for the highest-selling LABUBU plush toy at auction. Additional auction highlights included a J-17-S T-shirt signed by SEVENTEEN and a custom sacai leather jacket worn in the group's 'Bad Influence' music video. All proceeds from the auction will go towards UNESCO, supported by SEVENTEEN in their role as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors for Youth and Pharrell Williams as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts Education and Entrepreneurship.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
When a doll became famous after 10 years
From news about Rohit Sharma's Labubu collection to the Korean popstar Lisa flaunting a certain small little doll, the Labubu dolls have taken the internet by storm. What is the Labubu doll, and more importantly, who is Labubu? Who is Labubu? It all started when Hong Kong–born artist, raised in the Netherlands, Kasing Lung created a story series called The Monsters, inspired by Nordic folklore and mythology that he enjoyed during his childhood. It included characters like Labubu, Mokoko, Pato, Spooky, Tycoco and Zimomo. With a playful yet fierce facial expression, Labubus have round, furry bodies, with wide eyes, pointed ears, and nine sharp teeth that form a mischievous smile. A fictional elvish creature, Labubu is known for her mischievous but kind-hearted nature, often trying to help others but accidentally causing unintended consequences. She is often described as having a crocodile smile, oversized eyes, and an ambiguous gender, with fans often clarifying that she is female. 10 years ago, in 2015, the Hong Kong-based company How2Work, known for their art-inspired collectables and toys, created figurines for the Monsters' characters. However, it received much more traction post-collaboration with Pop Mart in 2019. Now, in 2025, the little dolls with a mischievous expression are winning hearts all over the world. Booming popularity Pop Mart employs a marketing mechanism called the blind box sales model in which Labubu figures are sold in blind boxes, collected into themed lines, which contain a toy chosen at random from that series. Series often contain a rare 'secret' figure in addition to the design advertised. This increased its popularity among the buyers, leading to a surge in its demand. With the same being associated with celebrities and influencers, owning the doll became a trend. The company has also collaborated with various brands to create special themed series. In late 2024, they released a winter blind box series featuring eleven Labubus inspired by Coca-Cola. In early 2025, they launched a collection of thirteen figurines that reimagine characters from the manga and anime One Piece as The Monsters. Additionally, some figures have even been released exclusively at different museums, such as the 'Labubu's Artistic Quest' series sold at Pop Mart's store in the Louvre in Paris. The popularity grew so big that a fake alternative copy called 'Lufafa' has also entered the market at a lower price. Years after its debut, with millions suddenly running behind these tiny dolls, the million-dollar question remains whether it's a genuine likeness or rather an obsessive trend that the social media culture has brought out yet again.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Labubu's are SOLD OUT everywhere - but we tracked down exactly where you can still get one (and fast)
If you so much as turned on your phone in recent days, it is likely you have stumbled across the latest worldwide obsession that has been leaving, Pop Mart shelves everywhere empty, the infamous Labubu! Labubu's are mischievous fuzz balls created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, and they notably are a part of ' The Monsters, ' tribe which includes other characters such as Tycoco (aka Labubu's boyfriend). It seems the adorably naughty monster has stolen hearts across the world, becoming somewhat of a fashion statement, with millions placing them on their purses, backpacks, and even belt loops. The popular plush keychains have been sold out for months now, with shoppers lined up online and in person to get their hands on new drops, which occur on Thursday nights on Pop Mart's website. Even we found ourselves enamored with the pint-sized sharp-toothed creature and have spent weeks looking high and low for our own Labubu. During our tireless search, we stumbled across a gold mine of Labubu's in perfect condition, and surprisingly — they are still in stock. Labubu The Monsters Macarons Green Grape $50 This Labubu is so cute even we have heart eyes! The Monsters has many series but the 'Tasty Macaron' one might be the most popular. You can indulge in a few different colors, including Green Grape. Typically, the series comes in blind box form but this one is unpacked and ready to be loved. Shop The Monsters Let's Checkmate Series Vinyl Plush Hanging Card $54 Could there be anything CUTER?! This limited edition Labubu is the butter yellow monster of our dreams. Decorated with a pink heart, blue bow, and queen crown — this keychain is a massive hit with fans. You can snag this resell still in the box for only $50 (we have this Labubu ourselves!). Shop StockX has a plethora of Labubu's in all its sought-after forms, from the 'Have a Seat' series to the 'Macaron' series. Whether you are shopping for yourself, for your kid, or for that one friend who just won't shut up about them — this may be the only place left on the internet with Labubu's that won't break the bank. Labubu The Monsters Have a Seat Vinyl Plush Blind Box If you have been dying to find an original Labubu blind box this is it! The classic 'Have a Seat' Labubu's are so adorable and come with several character options, including Baba who is on the front of the box. At only $40, this is perhaps one of the best priced Labubu resale finds. $40 Shop The Monsters Big into Energy Series Luck This purple Labubu was from the April 2025 launch named the 'Big into Energy' series. Though it typically comes inside of a blind box, you can get this unwrapped official one for $75. Many Labubu lovers have been on the hunt for this specific series and we have a feeling it is going to sell FAST. $75 Shop The Monsters Big into Energy Series Vinyl Plush Pendant Sealed Case (6 Blind Box) The mother-load of Labubu's! If you are a super fan who really needs to itch that Labubu scratch — this set of six blind boxes is for you. Enjoy endless surprise and make everyone envious with not one but six Labubu's on at your side (or rather on your bag!). $321 Shop We know there has been buzz online about 'counterfeit' Labuu's being sold, and we hear you! StockX is known for its tedious verification processes for all sellers to list products, including the dangerously cuddly and beloved Labubu. That being said, we know nothing is quite the same as shopping directly from the source, so if you are diving down the 'Black Market' Labubu rabbit hole as we did, do your due diligence in advance.
