Labubu fans left 'terrified' after discovering what's behind popular toy's fluffy exterior
The hottest new toy has stopped people in their tracks - and not for a good reason.
Labubus - plush, furry little dolls made by Chinese toy company Pop Mart - h ave become all the rage in recent months, with people all across the web scrambling to get their hands on one.
The $30 toy, which has big teeth, elf-like ears, and a fuzzy outfit, has caused such a stir that some A-listers are paying more than triple the price for it.
But now, social media users have discovered something about the bizarre new phenomenon that has left them 'terrified.'
One X, formerly Twitter, user recently went viral after they shared an image of the doll without its fluffy exterior - and people all across the web were horrified over what it looked like sans its iconic hooded outfit.
Without its endearing, soft clothes, the plastic toy's bald, oval-shaped head, bright eyes, and creepy, toothy smile looked pretty eerie.
The snap of the naked Labubu also showcased its short torso and claw-like feet, while revealing it features underwear with a bow underneath its fuzzy onesie.
'THIS S**T LOOKS HORRENDOUS WHAT THE F**K' the poster wrote - and many others were quick to agree.
They later shared that they hadn't originally taken the image, but that it had come from Chinese social media app, Rednote.
Others chimed in to express their horror at the de-clothed toy.
Someone compared it to a hairless cat, writing: 'Same mood.'
'POOR LABUBU,' another person lamented.
'[PLEASE] PUT IT BACK IN ITS [SUIT] PLEASE. THIS IS TERRIFYING,' a different user begged.
'Now why would you undress the Labubu? [It's] looking like when a man shaves off his beard and has no chin,' someone else compared.
Others yelled: 'WHAT THE HELL IS THAT,' 'PUT IT BACK ON OMG,' and, 'GET THAT OUTTA MY FACE EW.'
'The feet???' someone else questioned, referring to the toy's three-toed, alligator-like feet.
'PUT IT AWAY… it's like the featherless owls…' another compared.
'WHAT THE F**K THEY SKINNED LABUBU,' one distraught user screamed.
In recent months, the $30 toys - which originated in Hong Kong - have taken off in popularity, with kids and adults alike racing to try to get the plush accessories.
Not only are there lines wrapping around the outside of shopping malls across America, but in the UK, Pop Mart has had to pause sales of Labubus in-store to protect customer safety.
They're also being seen as a status symbol, with wealthy women and men hanging them off their Hermès Birkin bags and $2,000 Goyard totes.
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Labubu: How the Pop Mart dolls conquered the world
Whether you reckon they are cute, ugly or just plain weird, chances are you have heard of the furry dolls that have become a global sensation - a monster, the elf-like creature from Chinese toy maker Pop Mart is now a viral purchase. And it has no dearth of celebrity advocates: Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian and Blackpink's Lisa. Ordinary folk are just as obsessed - from Shanghai to London, the long queues to snap up the doll have made headlines, sometimes descending into fights even."You get such a sense of achievement when you are able to get it among such fierce competition," says avowed fan Fiona world's fascination with Labubu has almost tripled Pop Mart's profits in the past year - and, according to some, even energised Chinese soft power, which has been bruised by the pandemic and a strained relationship with the how did we get here? What exactly is Labubu? It's a question that still bothers many - and even those who know the answer are not entirely sure they can explain the is both a fictional character and a brand. The word itself doesn't mean anything. It's the name of a character in "The Monsters" toy series created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing vinyl faces are attached to plush bodies, and come with a signature look - pointy ears, big eyes and a mischievous grin showing exactly nine teeth. A curious yet divided internet can't seem to decide if they are adorable or bizarre. According to its retailer's official website, Labubu is "kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite".The Labubu dolls have appeared in several series of "The Monsters", such as "Big into Energy", "Have a Seat", "Exciting Macaron" and "Fall in Wild".The Labubu brand also has other characters from its universe, which have inspired their own popular dolls - such as the tribe's leader Zimomo, her boyfriend Tycoco and her friend the untrained eye, some of these dolls are hard to distinguish from one another. The connoisseurs would know but Labubu's fame has certainly rubbed off, with other specimens in the family also flying off the shelves. Who sells Labubu? Pop Mart had been selling so-called blind boxes - where customers only found out what they had bought when they opened the package - for some years when they tied up with Kasing Lung for the rights to was 2019, nearly a decade after entrepreneur Wang Ning opened Pop Mart as a variety store, similar to a pound shop, in Beijing. When the blind boxes became a success, Pop Mart launched the first series in 2016, selling Molly dolls - child-like figurines created by Hong Kong artist Kenny Wong. But it was the Labubu sales that fuelled Pop Mart's growth and in December 2020, it began selling shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Those shares have soared by more than 500% in the last Mart itself has now become a major retailer. It operates more than 2,000 vending machines, or "roboshops", around the world. And you can now buy Labubu dolls in stores, physical or virtual, in more than 30 countries, from the US and UK to Australia and Singapore, although many of them have recently paused sales due to overwhelming demand. Sales from outside mainland China contributed to nearly 40% of its total revenue in demand did not rise overnight though. It actually took a few years for the elfin monsters to break into the mainstream. How did Labubu go global? Before the world discovered Labubu, their fame was limited to China. They started to become a hit just as the country emerged from the pandemic in late 2022, according to Ashley Dudarenok, founder of China-focused research firm ChoZan."Post-pandemic, a lot of people in China felt that they wanted to emotionally escape… and Labubu was a very charming but chaotic character," she says. "It embodied that anti-perfectionism."The Chinese internet, which is huge and competitive, produces plenty of viral trends that don't go global. But this one did and its popularity quickly spread to neighbouring South East who lives in Canada, says she first heard about Labubu from Filipino friends in 2023. That's when she started buying them - she says she finds them cute, but their increasing popularity is a major draw: "The more popular it gets the more I want it."My husband doesn't understand why me, someone in their 30s, would be so fixated on something like this, like caring about which colour to get." It helps that it's also affordable, she adds. Although surging demand has pushed up prices on the second-hand market, Fiona says the original price, which ranged from C$25 ($18; £14) to C$70 for most Labubu dolls, was "acceptable" to most people she knows."That's pretty much how much a bag accessory would cost anyway these days, most people would be able to afford it," she popularity soared in April 2024, when Thai-born K-pop superstar Lisa began posting photos on Instagram with various Labubu dolls. And then, other global celebrities turned the dolls into an international phenomenon this Rihanna was photographed with a Labubu toy clipped to her Louis Vuitton bag in February. Influencer Kim Kardashian shared her collection of 10 Labubu dolls with her Instagram following in April. And in May, former England football captain Sir David Beckham also took to Instagram with a photo of a Labubu, given to him by his the dolls feel ubiquitous, regularly spotted not just online but also on friends, colleagues or passersby. What's behind the Labubu obsession? Put simply, we don't know. Like most viral trends, Labubu's appeal is hard to explain - the result of timing, taste and the randomness that is the is certainly happy with the outcome. State news agency Xinhua says Labubu "shows the appeal of Chinese creativity, quality and culture in a language the world can understand", while giving everyone the chance to see "cool China".Xinhua has other examples that show "Chinese cultural IP is going global": the video game Black Myth: Wukong and the hit animated film Nezha. Some analysts seem surprised that Chinese companies - from EV makers and AI developers to retailers - are so successful despite Western unease over Beijing's ambitions."BYD, DeepSeek, all of these companies have one very interesting thing in common, including Labubu," Chris Pereira, founder and chief executive of consultancy firm iMpact, told BBC News."They're so good that no one cares they're from China. You can't ignore them."Meanwhile, Lababu continue to rack up social media followers with millions watching new owners unbox their prized purchase. One of the most popular videos, posted in December, shows curious US airport security staff huddling around a traveller's unopened Labubu box to figure out which doll is element of surprise is a big part of the appeal, says Desmond Tan, a longtime collector, as he walks around a Pop Mart store in Singapore vigorously shaking blind boxes before deciding which one to buy. This is a common sight in Pop collects "chaser" characters, special editions from Pop Mart's various toy series, which include Labubu. On average, Desmond says, he finds a chaser in one out of every 10 boxes he buys. It's a good strike rate, he claims, compared to the typical odds: one in 100."Being able to get the chaser from shaking the box, learning how to feel the difference…," is deeply satisfying for him."If I can get it in just one or two tries, I'm very happy!"
The Review Geek
4 hours ago
- The Review Geek
Upcoming K-dramas to Watch in June 2025
Here is your monthly update on K-dramas! June 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting month for K-drama fans, with a diverse slate of new releases ranging from gritty crime thrillers and historical fantasies to heartwarming romances and even one unique take on Sherlock Holmes. Expect names like So Ji-sub, Ok Taec-yeon, Jeon Yeo-been, and Choo Young-woo on your screens. Whether you're in the mood for action-filled tales of revenge, universe-bending love stories, or schoolyard dramas, this month promises something for every kind of viewer. Most anticipated of all is Squid Game 3, the final season of the iconic K-drama. Read on to learn more about the K-dramas and their release date, plot, cast, and where to watch them. Without further ado, here are all the exciting new K-dramas releasing in June 2025: Release Date: 6th June Lead Cast: So Ji-sub, Huh Joon-ho, Ahn Kil-kang, Lee Bum-soo, Gong Myung, Choo Young-woo, Jo Han-chul Network: Netflix Plot: An adaptation of a webtoon named Plaza Wars, this gritty crime drama set in Seoul's underbelly follows Gi-jun, one of the underworld's fiercest. However, he retires due to a certain incident. Years later, his brother Gi-seok's ruthless murder reignites Gi-jun's thirst for vengeance and he's convinced the culprit lurks close. Release Date: 11th June Lead Cast: Seohyun, Ok Taec-yeon, Kwon Han-sol, Seo Bum-june, Ji Hye-won Where to Watch: Viki, KBS2 Plot: The series follows a college student known as K who suddenly finds herself transported into a historical romance novel. Stuck in the body of a minor noble character named Seon-chaek, she ends up spending a night with the male lead, a royal named Lee Beon. Lee Beon then insists they get married and K is tasked with keeping the story intact and making sure he falls for the female lead instead of her. Release Date: 13th June Lead Cast: Nam Koong-min, Jeon Yeo-been Where to Watch: Disney+ Plot: The Korean drama follows Lee Je-ha, a film director who feels overshadowed by his father's success and is struggling to make his second film. He decides to make a film about a person with a terminal illness and ends up meeting Lee Da-eum in the process, an aspiring actress who suffers from a rare disease. The drama will have 12 episodes and will air every Friday and Saturday. Salon de Holmes Release Date: 16th June Lead Cast: Lee Si-young, Jung Young-joo, Kim Da-som, Nam Gi-ae Where to Watch: ENA Plot: Salon de Holmes is a comedy action drama that revolves around four women who live in the same apartment complex. They team up in order to deal with a range of villains, from people who don't park properly and refuse to separate their waste to darker, more sinister criminals. Release Date: 16th June Lead Cast: Park Ju-hyun, Park Yong-woo, Kang Hoon Where to Watch: Disney+ Plot: Hunter with a Scalpel centers its story on the past coming back to haunt a forensic pathologist considered to be the top of her field. The father she presumed dead all these years has returned to threaten everything she worked for, and with everything on the line, she has no choice but to face her past to save her future. I Am a Running Mate Release Date: 19th June Lead Cast: Yoon Hyun-soo, Lee Jung-sic, Choi Woo-sung Where to Watch: TVING Plot: I Am a Running Mate is a high school drama following the life of model student Noh Se-hoon. His reputation takes a hit when an unfortunate incident earns him the nickname 'Erector'. Determined to retrieve his dignity, he decides to become a running mate for the school's student council and gets involved in a flurry of competition. Head Over Heels Release Date: 23rd June Lead Cast: Cho Yi-hun, Cha Kang-yoon, Choo Young-woo, Choo Ja-hyun Where to Watch: tvN Plot: A fantasy romance drama, Head Over Heels revolves around a young woman who moonlights as a shaman. When she realises her first love is bound for an early death, she decides to save him from his destiny. This is a 12-episode drama that will air every Monday and Tuesday. Squid Game 3 Release Date: 27th June Lead Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon and more Where to Watch: Netflix Plot: The third and final season of Squid Game will release this year as well! Helmed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the final instalment of the thriller series will continue to follow Seong Gi-hun's fight to shut down the games once and for all. Love Phobia Release Date: 27th June Lead Cast: Yeon Woo, Kim Hyun-jin, Jo Yoon-seo, Choi Byung-chan Where to Watch: U+ Mobile TV Plot: Love Phobia gives us another opposites-attract story between an unlikely pair. On the one hand is Yoon Bi-ah, the CEO of an AI-powered dating app who is emotionally detached. On the other hand is Han Sun-ho, a novelist who is all about emotions and feelings. This drama will have 8 episodes. Which Korean drama are you most looking forward to in the month of June? Which do you think could become the best of 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Times
5 hours ago
- Times
Fast Show star ‘distraught' after antisemitic post from stolen phone
A star of The Fast Show, the 1990s TV comedy sketch show, is said to be 'distraught' after his social media accounts were hacked and used to post an antisemitic message. Simon Day's Facebook, Instagram and X accounts were used to post a picture of the comedian and film director Mel Brooks along with a slur about Jewish people. It said: 'Not all Jewz are c***s. More political insight tomorrow'. The posts were quickly deleted and an apology sent. 'Please ignore my last post,' Day, 63, said. 'Last post someone hacked my phone. Would like to apologise for any offence. I am investigating.' Tracy-Ann Oberman, an actress who was awarded an MBE for services to Holocaust education and countering antisemitism, welcomed the apology. 'Good of him to elaborate on this heinous post with its near 100 likes on Insta,' she said. Oberman had initially spotted the message on Day's social media accounts and responded with some concern. 'Either Simon has been hacked or he thinks this is acceptable for a high-profile entertainment comedian to post this Jew hate,' she wrote. 'Hero to zero. It's on Simon's Instagram and Facebook, just not on Twitter.' Charlie Higson, Day's co-star on The Fast Show, leapt to his defence after criticism from other users on social media. 'His phone and credit cards were stolen. Simon would never post anything like this. He's distraught and not sure how to handle it,' Higson said. He added: 'Of course it's true [that he was robbed and hacked]. Simon's not going to completely change his character overnight.' The pair worked together on the BBC sketch show, which spawned characters including Ted and Ralph, the Suits You tailors and Competitive Dad, for four series from 1994. Last month a report found that a rise in antisemitic disinformation was contributing to hostility towards Jews on university campuses. The study by the Henry Jackson Society, a British national security think tank, claimed that anti-Jewish narratives were 'flourishing unchecked'. Students reported an increase in antisemitic disinformation after the atrocity on October 7, 2023, in which Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Social media was named as the main source of the disinformation.
