Labubu craze takes over global culture
While Labubu's rise may seem sudden, the character actually dates back to 2015. It was created by Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung as part of his "The Monsters" collection — a set of characters inspired by Dutch and Nordic folklore.
Now, Labubu is riding a wave of global interest, especially as a collectible bag charm. The hashtag#Labubu has appeared more than a million times on TikTok.
"In America, Labubu toys are really popular right now," Jasper said. "A Pop Mart store even opened in the mall near my home. The toys have been sold out everywhere, so seeing them here in Beijing is super fun. I thought, 'Oh, I will get one too.'"
Holding up her yellow Labubu, which she got from a blind box, Jasper beamed with excitement — a reflection of the toy's quirky charm that has captured hearts across generations and cultures.
Pop Mart, the company behind Labubu, now operates in over 30 countries, with more than 550 stores and pop-up locations, according to 9 News. On July 19, in Melbourne's chilly winter, the grand opening of Pop Mart's new store on Bourke Street underscored the character's worldwide appeal. The sidewalk outside the store was lined with camping chairs and sleeping bags.
"By morning, the line stretched as far as I could see — all just to get a limited-edition Labubu doll," said Wang Anyu, 25, a Chinese student studying in Australia.
To meet growing demand, Pop Mart is rapidly expanding its retail footprint across North America and Europe, opening stores and deploying its signature vending machines, known as "Roboshops", according to S&P Global.
"Labubu's appeal lies partly in its aesthetic — a blend of maximalist and 'ugly-cute' styles that resonate deeply with Western youth," said Kiara Amato, 20, a student at La Rochelle University in France. "The toy's 'devilish' grin and quirky fangs match the 'bad angel' archetype popular in alternative fashion scenes. Labubu looks a bit evil — not like a Disney baby — but it's cute in its own way."
Celebrity endorsements have been another major factor driving Labubu's breakthrough in Western markets. "Celebrities have played an outsize role," confirmed Jasper.
In April 2024, for example, Blackpink's Lisa was seen with a Labubu dangling from her luxury handbag, igniting a global trend. Soon after, NBA star Dillon Brooks and soccer icon David Beckham were also spotted with Labubu accessories, and Beckham later shared an Instagram photo of a Labubu gifted to him by his daughter.
This kind of high-profile exposure helped propel Labubu into mainstream culture, allowing it to transcend its role as a toy.
"Its cultural flexibility makes it a canvas onto which collectors project meaning — from high-fashion statements to nostalgic comfort," said Addison Winslow, a councilmember from Chicago, California. "Labubu now sits at the intersection of art, fashion and commerce."
Interestingly, Labubu's primary fan base in the West is not children, but adults. In 2024, buyers aged 18 and over contributed to a year-over-year increase of more than US$800 million in the US toy market, according to market research firm Circana.
The hype has even reached the fashion rental market. "With fashion rental gaining momentum, you can now rent Labubu by the day in the UK," said Alexander Hughes, a student at the University of Edinburgh. "Trends may not last forever, so renting one to match an outfit is smarter than buying."
Rental platforms like By Rotation in the UK offer Labubu dolls for £3 (IS$3.98) per day, while Hurr lists premium versions starting from £22, according to The Independent.
"Labubu's global boom illustrates a fusion of culture and commerce — combining original Chinese IP with Western consumerism, celebrity power and social media virality," noted Winslow. - China Daily/ANN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Father-son duo unite for first art exhibition
Shared vision: (From left) Prof Cheng, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology president Prof Datuk Dr Lee Sze Wei, Sigma Coders director Datuk Lau Kok Tong and Chang at the launch of the joint exhibition at Wells Auction Group in Kuala Lumpur. — Low Lay Phon/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: World-renowned Chinese painting master Prof Dr Cheng Haw Chien is holding his first art exhibition with his son, running throughout August. Themed 'Different Generation, Same Artistic Path', the father-and-son showcase features 50 works inspired by scenic landscapes from their travels in China. Prof Cheng, who is also an accomplished calligrapher, poet, author and educator, said his pieces are created using splashed ink on Japanese hot stamping gold foil. 'Most of my paintings are landscapes, painted with my son Jordant Chang Sao Suo. 'Splashed ink means freehand painting, which is different from classical Chinese painting,' he said at the exhibition launch here yesterday. In the exhibition, Penang-born Prof Cheng presents serene landscapes while Chang explores the symbolic beauty of Taihu stones. Chang said he was excited about the joint exhibition as the pair discussed the idea for years. 'We talked about this many years ago but couldn't set a date,' said the 41-year-old, who left his job as an industrial designer to follow in his father's footsteps. He also said the paintings were inspired by his visits with his father to China over the years. Highlights at the show include After Rain and Shrouded in Mist, both featuring intricate Chinese painting techniques. Born in 1948, Cheng studied the Lingnan style, which blends Western influences with Chinese ink painting. He is currently a visiting professor at Renmin University of China and lifetime adviser to the Ningbo Art Museum, and formerly served as president of the Central Academy of Art in Malaysia. Since his first solo exhibition in Penang in 1969, he has held over 150 exhibitions worldwide. The exhibition is open from 10am to 5pm daily until Aug 31 at Wells Auction Group.
Malay Mail
21 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Meet Oyen, the adorable thief behind the slipper heist in his neighbourhood
PETALING JAYA, Aug 9 — In a heartwarming tale that has captured the hearts of many, Oyen, a cheeky orange cat, has become an internet sensation after his furmum shared videos of his 'slipper-stealing' antics on TikTok. According to his owner, Noraini Darus, the adorable feline has been secretly making off with slippers from the neighbours' homes, as reported by Free Malaysia Today. However, rather than causing frustration, the neighbours have taken the incident with good humour, finding Oyen's little escapades utterly charming. The viral TikTok videos have garnered more than 1.8 million views, with one even hitting 6.5 million views. With his distinct ginger fur, the mischievous cat is hard to miss, and it seems that no slipper is safe when Oyen is on the prowl. In one video, Oyen is seen carrying a purple slipper with determination, oblivious to the nature of his 'crime'. The text in the video reads, 'Macam kelam kabut je Oyen ni balik, jiran kejar agaknya, nape yen curi selipar anak dia' (Oyen looks like he's in a hurry, maybe the neighbour's chasing him, why is he stealing their child's slipper?). In another video, Oyen proudly struts back home with yet another slipper in his mouth. The text reads, 'Mak... makkk... makkkk! Yen nak kasut raya makkk!' (Mum… mum… mum!! Yen wants new Raya shoes!!). As Oyen meows continuously, his owner jokingly asks if he's telling his furmum that he wants new shoes for Raya. His meowing seems like an excited conversation, as though he's proudly sharing his latest 'adventure' and 'treasure'. Much to the amusement of his family, Oyen has brought home a variety of 'treasures', from leaves to lizards.
Rakyat Post
2 days ago
- Rakyat Post
London Tube vs MRT: British Couple Say MRT Is So Much Better
Subscribe to our FREE A backpacking couple who makes travel vlogs recently stopped in Kuala Lumpur and as many of us know, getting around is easy with RapidKL's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). Joel and Charlotte posted a video on TikTok to share their experience on taking the MRT, and what they think of it compared to the London Underground transit system. 'We're about to take the MRT into Kuala Lumpur, so we thought we'd take you with us to show you the differences between the MRT and the London Underground,' Joel said. The couple highlighted the MRT's ticketing system, where commuters have to purchase a token at a digital kiosk or use a Touch 'N Go card to get to the train platforms. After getting into a train car, Charlotte showed viewers the women-only coach, and then pointed out a digital screen that shows the route and stops for the line they were on. 'They also have these screens, so it makes it a lot easier to navigate your way around compared to London,' Charlotte said. Joel then mentions how the MRT's trains are driverless, and jokes about how we don't have to worry about train drivers going on strike every other week. Next, he showed viewers that there's no need to 'mind the gap' since there are no gaps between the train and the platform. While he was on the topic of safety, Joel also noted that there are glass barriers on the platform so people couldn't fall onto the train tracks. 'It's so much cleaner, so much tidier than London Underground. And it has aircond. What did we pay? 50p (RM2.84) each? It's amazing,' he said. What is the London Undergound really like compared to the MRT? The London Underground — affectionately called the Tube — is one of the oldest and most iconic metro systems in the world. It began operation in 1863 and now spans 11 lines with over 270 stations, covering both central and greater London. It is famous for it's deep-level tunnels, the instantly recognisable logo, and the 'mind the gap' announcement. Despite its age, it's constantly being modernised, with upgrades like contactless payment and new air-conditioned trains. However, some lines still suffer from narrow tunnels, limited accessibility, and occasional delays — partly a result of the system's 19th-century origins. Tube stations in London still don't have protective barriers that prevent commuters from falling onto the tracks by accident or otherwise. Referring to Joel's comment on the digital route maps, London's tube trains do have printed route maps inside its coaches on their older trains. New trains on lines like the Jubilee, Circle, Metropolitan, and Elizabeth lines now have digital displays that light up the next stations and show your position along the route. However, to see the full iconic Tube map, you'll more often find it posted in stations rather than inside the train itself. Latest London Underground tube map. By comparison, the MRT is a modern system launched in 2017, starting with the Kajang Line and expanding with the Putrajaya Line. Built with contemporary standards from the start, it boasts wide platforms, fully air-conditioned trains, modern signalling systems, and better accessibility features like lifts and escalators at every station. So, even though London's network is far larger and denser, covering a sprawling city, the MRT has a head start in modern features and is also growing rapidly. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
