Labubu not the first toy craze, and certainly won't be the last
But what makes the Labubu a must-have, or any toy for that matter, is a decades-old question that toy makers have yet to figure out.
Here's a look at some of the most popular toys over the years.
Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids began as chubby-faced dolls with yarn hair that came with adoption papers. During the 1980s the dolls were so popular that parents waited in long lines at stores trying to get a hold of them. More than 90 million Cabbage Patch Kids were sold worldwide during their heyday.
Cabbage Patch Kids, which were created by Xavier Roberts and initially sold by Coleco, were relaunched in 2004, looking to take part in the successful return of other popular 1980s toys including Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
A Cabbage Patch Kid museum named BabyLand General Hospital still exists in Cleveland, Georgia. The dolls entered the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2023.
Beanie Baby
Beanie Babies captivated consumers in the mid-1990s. The cuddly $5 toys were under-stuffed for maximum hug-ability, stamped with cute names on their Ty Inc. tags, and given limited edition runs.
Many people collected, traded and sold the toys with the hopes that their value would just keep going up at the dawn of the e-commerce age. It made some people money, and the founder, Ty Warner, a billionaire in three years.
In 2014 Warner learned that he would not go to prison for hiding at least $25 million from U.S. tax authorities and instead received two years' probation. Warner, one of the highest profile figures snared in a federal investigation of Americans using Swiss bank accounts to avoid U.S. taxes, had pleaded guilty to a single count of tax evasion.
Tamagotchi
Looking for a pet without the real-life responsibilities? Well then the Tamagotchi electronic pet from Bandai was for you. Consumers were hooked on the egg-shaped plastic toy that first launched in Japan in 1996 and became a craze worldwide in the late 1990s and 2000s.
Users were tasked with taking care of their virtual pet by pressing buttons that simulate feeding, disciplining and playing with the critter on screen. If a Tamagotchi is neglected, it dies.
In 2013 Tamagotchi was reborn as a mobile app, duplicating the experience of the plastic handheld toy. The toy was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in May.
Fidget Spinner
Fidget spinners — the 3-inch twirling gadgets that took over classrooms and cubicles — were all the rage in 2017. The toy was considered somewhat of an outlier at the time, given that it wasn't made by a major company, timed for the holiday season, or promoted in TV commercials. Fidget spinners were more easily found at gas stations or 7-Eleven than at big toy chains.
Fidget spinners had been around for years, mostly used by kids with autism or attention disorders to help them concentrate, but they became more popular after being featured on social media.
While hot toys are often made by one company, fidget spinners were made by numerous manufacturers, mostly in China. The toys were marketed as a concentration aid but became so popular among children that many schools started banning them, saying that they were a distraction.
Labubu
The Labubu, by artist and illustrator Kasing Lung, first appeared as monsters with pointed ears and pointy teeth in three picture books inspired by Nordic mythology in 2015.
In 2019 Lung struck a deal with Pop Mart, a company that caters to toy connoisseurs and influencers, to sell Labubu figurines. But it wasn't until Pop Mart started selling Labubu plush toys on key rings in 2023 that the toothy monsters suddenly seemed to be everywhere, including in the hands of Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and NBA star Dillon Brooks. K-pop singer Lisa of Blackpink began posting images of hers for her more than 100 million followers on Instagram and on TikTok, where Labubu pandemonium has broken out.
Labubu has been a bonanza for Pop Mart. Its revenue more than doubled in 2024 to 13.04 billion yuan ($1.81 billion), thanks in part to its elvish monster. Revenue from Pop Mart's plush toys soared more than 1,200% in 2024, nearly 22% of its overall revenue, according to the company's annual report.
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The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Labubu underground: Lafufu makers defy Chinese authorities to feed the world's appetite for viral doll
Trolleys piled high with decapitated silicon monster heads, tattooed dealers lurking in alleyways, bin bags of contraband hidden behind shop counters: welcome to the world of Lafufus. Fake Labubus, also known as Lafufus, are flooding the hidden market. As demand for the collectable furry keyrings soars, entrepreneurs in the southern trading hub of Shenzhen are wasting no time sourcing imitation versions to sell to eager Labubu hunters. But the Chinese authorities, keen to protect a rare soft-power success story, are cracking down on the counterfeits. 'Labubus have become very sensitive,' says one unofficial vendor, in her small, unmarked, fake designer goods shop hidden on the 17th floor of a bland office building in Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei district, an area known for cheap electronics. 'We don't dare to talk about it,' her colleague adds. Labubus, a furry bunny-eared elf sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, have gone viral this year. Touted by celebrities from Rihanna to Blackpink's Lisa, the 'ugly-cute' dolls have been so in demand that in the UK Pop Mart pulled the grinning monsters from all stores because of the risk of fights breaking out between customers. In the UK they retail for £17.50, while official versions in China sell for between 99 and 399 yuan (£10.30 – £41.40), with resale prices soaring much higher. The hype has been embraced by the Chinese authorities, who have hailed Pop Mart as the latest Chinese brand to gain popularity overseas, following the likes of the viral video game Black Myth: Wukong and AI company DeepSeek. In June, People's Daily, the Chinese Communist party's official mouthpiece, praised Labubus as representing the shift from 'Made in China' to 'Created in China'. 'Labubu's rise fuses China's strong manufacturing base with creative innovation, tapping into the emotional needs of global consumers,' the article said. Pop Mart's elevation to the status of national hero also appears to have motivated the authorities, in a country trying to shed its reputation for being a land of knock-offs, to aggressively crack down on fakes. In April, customs authorities in the eastern city of Ningbo intercepted a batch of 200,000 goods suspected of infringing Labubu's intellectual property, according to state media, with another sting last month catching over 2,000 fake goods. About 40km (25 miles) across town from the Huaqiangbei store, 59-year-old Li Yang* has never heard of a 'Labubu'. But she spends hours each day sitting on a low plastic stool in her high-rise apartment building slicing apart hundreds of moulded silicon monster heads that will later become Lafufus. Surrounded by piles of flesh-coloured components, Li and her neighbour, Wang Bi*, another stay-at-home grandmother engaged in the painstaking work, spilled out into the hallway of their apartments. 'Since we're staying at home, taking care of the kids, doing housework, we wanted to find some gig work,' Li says. Li didn't know where the monster heads came from or were sent back to. The boss of a nearby factory reported by Chinese media to be producing Lafufus flatly denied any involvement, despite the presence of a pile of suspiciously Labubu-like heads piled high in the hallway. 'China has never been so determined to fix IP [intellectual property] thefts, thanks to Labubu's contribution not just as a global bestselling toy but as a soft power tool,' said Yaling Jiang, a Chinese consumer trends analyst. 'Defending Labubu's IP is no longer just about business interest, but [about] national interest.' So the Lafufu market is going underground. Authorities in Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei recently said they would be inspecting vendors for 'counterfeit and shoddy' Labubus. But it doesn't take long to find a dealer. After a quick phone call made by one of the street-side vendors hawking fake designer bags and watches, a slight, tattooed man, his canvas tote bag dripping in cutesy furry keyrings, appeared out of nowhere. He led the Guardian into a busy shopping mall and over to a counter selling hairdryers and sunglasses. With a few furtive glances, the smartly dressed shop assistant whipped out a black plastic bag from behind the counter, full of Lafufus, for sale for 168 yuan (£17.40) each. Fakes likely come from a range of sources. But Li's business model works like this: every few days, a courier wheels over a trolley piled with bags stuffed with hundreds of moulded monster heads to Li's apartment building. The heads are moulded by a machine, but the act of splitting them into two, so that they can be stuffed and reassembled into a finished toy, is fiddly. It requires cutting along the curved edge of the toy's head by hand, using a sharp knife. So Li and her neighbours, all elderly women, are enlisted to slice the heads by hand, with the mystery factory paying them 0.04 yuan a piece. Every time the courier arrives, Li hauls down several large bags of split-open heads, and collects a new batch of elfin models, ready for dissection. One woman estimated she can cut through 800-1,000 heads a day, earning up to 40 yuan. None of the workers interviewed by the Guardian had any idea what a Labubu was. Wang was shocked to hear that the finished products, fake or otherwise, sold for several hundred yuan. But one person in the home factory knew exactly what the toys were. As Li's young granddaughter wandered into the hallway to find her grandmother inspecting a finished toy, she screamed: 'Labubu!'. *Name has been changed Additional research by Lillian Yang
Time Out
4 hours ago
- Time Out
Pop Mart's whimsical 'Mega Space Molly: Hello, Moon Exhibition" lands at ION Art
The Pop Mart craze shows no signs of abating, judging by the perpetually long queues at the retail store in ION Orchard. Now, there's something else to line up for – and that's the MEGA SPACE MOLLY: Hello, Moon Exhibition, which just landed at ION Art. First, for those who need an introduction, Molly is a highly popular Pop Mart character created by Hong Kong artist Kenny Wong in 2006. Her character was inspired by Kenny's chance encounter with a young girl at a charity event – you'll recognise her from her short hair, enormous eyes, and adorable little pout. The "Mega Space Molly: Hello, Moon" exhibition focuses on the beloved Mega Space Molly series, which features the iconic doll in a spacesuit, which comes in a wild range of themes and designs, from Donald Duck to the Minions. We got the chance to visit the Hello, Moon exhibition before it opens to the public – here's what to expect. Event-exclusive merchandise you'll want to take home Take some time to read the Hello, Moon exhibition blurbs, which give a great introduction to the creation of Molly's character and the spirit of exploration that underlies the Space Molly series. Right after this is a section showcasing all the event-exclusive merchandise. The most valuable of the bunch is the 1000% Hello, Moon, featuring Space Molly holding a glowing moon orb. You can (carefully) lift the orb in and out of her hands and watch the light switch on and off. This, alongside the 400% Hello, Moon figurine and 400% Robot figurine, is for sale via a raffle system – scan the QR code to join, and winners can buy the figurines (nope, you don't get them for free). It's worth noting that the 1000% and 400% Hello, Moon dolls are all individually treated, so no two are the same. Other adorable buys include the Molly Hello, Moon 1/8 Action Figure ($89.90). This doll's really special: not only is it wrapped in a furry spacesuit, but it's also ball-jointed, so you can make Molly stand or sit. There's also the Hello, Moon Ambient Moon Lamp ($389.90) (which should make for a lovely but expensive night light), as well as rugs and multi-functional lanyards, all available for pre-order. Wall art, archival pieces, and an animated short The greater part of the exhibition is filled with Space Molly wall art and archival pieces. Some standout series include Smitten Love, Jon Burgerman, and Pantone. There are also non-Space Molly figurines on display, like the mega-popular Mega Royal Molly in the Van Gogh Museum Almond Blossom design. In the spirit of SG60, the curators have also teamed up with local artist Lioncolony, whose fantastical works have caused quite the splash on TikTok. His Mega Space Molly animated short brings her dreamy, lunar world to life in bold, 3D style. You can watch the short near the event-exclusive merchandise section. Blind boxes from $18.90 What's POP MART without blind boxes? There are three collections available: the MEGA Space Molly 100% × emoji™ Series, the Mega Space Molly 100% Series 02, and the Mega Space Molly 100% Series 03. We picked up the MEGA Space Molly 100% × emoji™ Series and drew the Unicorn (Secret Edition)! So, try your luck. See the Hello, Moon exhibition in other parts of Asia The MEGA SPACE MOLLY: Hello, Moon Exhibition is free and open to walk-ins at ION Art on Level 4 of ION Orchard. It runs until late August.
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Justin Timberlake sparks concern over 'tired' appearance ahead of final world tour show as fans urge 'he needs a break' following string of 'bare minimum, lip syncing' performances after demanding refunds
Justin Timberlake has sparked concern among fans over his 'tired' appearance at his antepenultimate concert in Georgia last week. Over the last few months, fans have demanded refunds following a string of 'embarrassing and bare minimum' shows. The singer, 44, who is due to finish his world tour in a matter of days on July 30, has also been accused of 'hardly singing' and putting on 'lazy' performances. As he took to the stage over the weekend, fans demanded the popstar 'needs a break to recharge' following the brutal backlash he has received. Sharing their support, fans wrote: 'I can't believe it's almost over! Going to miss you so much, but I know you are TIRED!!! So rest up good and we can do it all over again!', 'I saw you in Atlanta in November and you were amazing. Best concert I've been to. I think you just need a break and to recharge. You've been doing this tour for a year', 'This day was truly unforgettable a priceless emotion and a childhood dream come true.❤️❤️' However, some fans continued to share their fury on social media after attending his shows over the last month. Some comments read: 'Why he treating performing like a side job?!', 'How many words did you sing?', 'Did he sing finally?', 'When are the audience getting paid for their performance?', 'Imagine paying $600 to watch the crowd at a Justin Timberlake concert sing his songs' 'Justin Timberlake really thought he could do the bare minimum & get away with it? Nah. People didn't drop $500 to watch a lifeless karaoke act. No energy, no vocals, just vibes gone wrong. The crowd walking out says it all. It's mediocre performance. It's time to stop!' MailOnline has contacted Justin's representatives for comment. Daily Mail exclusively revealed the drama behind his controversial concerts... and why his wife Jessica Biel is pleading with him to give up touring amid the brutal backlash. As he took to the stage over the weekend, fans demanded the popstar 'needs a break to recharge' following the brutal backlash he has received One insider told the Daily Mail that the SexyBack singer is 'in a rut' amid his flailing tour and desperately 'needs to do something new.' After he played Romania, a viral TikTok received 460,000 likes after a fan who paid 'a lot of money' to see him called him 'an absolute disappointment.' The Social Network star was late getting onstage, and then apparently only sang about five words of each song, according to concert-goers. He also wore glasses and a hat, so the audience couldn't see him, leading many to walk out in anger. 'You can't be singing two songs and then taking a break,' the content creator said, calling his behaviour 'rude' and 'disrespectful,' before asking him to 'rethink' the concept behind his tour. The 'lacklustre' performance was so embarrassing that multiple fans demanded a refund. In Dublin, his performance was much the same, as showcased by videos of Justin dropping the mic and simply walking around the stage lazily, without doing the dance moves he's known for. The same insider divulged that Justin 'wants to create new music and to do something he hasn't done yet' but feels stuck singing the same old songs he's been performing for decades, leaving him unmotivated. While there have been murmurs that he would reunite with his boy band NSYNC, it has yet to come to fruition. The reunion rumors reached a fever pitch as their former competitors the Backstreet Boys reunited at the Las Vegas Sphere as part of a historic residency. In fact, fans online begged Justin to rejoin his former boy band, joking that if he wanted to sing so little during his recent tour dates, he should at least have the others join him onstage. 'It's embarrassing how he's been basically doing karaoke,' the insider agreed. 'He knows that he's lost his mojo and he really wants it back.' A separate source weighed in on the state of his marriage, and how the tour has been leading to issues with his actress wife. The couple share two children, Silas, 10, and Phineas, four. 'Jessica thinks Justin has aged years since he started The Forget Tomorrow World Tour last April,' the insider claimed. Jessica, 43, has seen 'how it has taken its toll on him, not just physically but emotionally.' Justin's devoted wife has stood by him amid multiple high-profile controversies, including in 2019, when he was caught holding hands with actress Alisha Wainwright during a night out in New Orleans. Now, Jessica is worried that he's 'taken on way too much,' with the insider adding that 'he's no longer a twentysomething who can fly around the world doing concert after concert.'
