Labubu doll repair now a thriving business in THIS country amid rising demand for ‘toy doctors'; cost, more details here
According to South China Morning Post, a Shanghai 'toy doctor' nicknamed Heartman fixed 100 Labubu toys in one month. He sought his wife's help when the demand for repairs surged beyond his capacity, prompting him to move to a bigger studio. As per the report, the repairs cost 10 per cent of the price of the toy.
In recent years, these toy doctors have grown in popularity by repairing vintage versions of toys but this Labubu fandom is one of the reasons for the boost to their careers.
Notably, an ordinary Labubu toy costs around ₹ 1200 (99 yuan or US$14). While Labubu dolls sell for hundreds of yuan in the second-hand market in China, rare versions may can cost up to thousands of yuan. On July 23, a limited edition Labubu toy listed on eBay sold for a whopping ₹ 9,15,134.64 ($10,585), becoming one of the most expensive Labubus to sell on the secondary market, Forbes reported,
Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu is a character of The Monsters family. The origin of these plush dolls dates back to 2019 when Chinese toymaker Pop Mart began working with Lung.
The surge in sales of Labubu and its popularity was noted after South Korean K-pop group Blackpink's member Lisa Brasil openly expressed her love for the toy. Pop Mart's most popular series 'The Monsters' witnessed 726.6 per cent increase in revenue that reached ₹ 3,677 crore (or 3.04 billion yuan).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
'Most expensive' Labubu x Vans doll sells out for ₹9.15 lakh on eBay; 125 times more than original price
It seems like the viral Labubu trend is here to stay for a long time. E-commerce platform eBay last week witnessed a rare Labubu getting sold for a whopping ₹ 9.15 lakh, making the resale value nearly 125 times more than its actual price, the New York Post reported. The rare Labubu x Vans has now emerged as the most expensive of the viral toys sold on the platform. The Labubu doll is grey-brownish in color and wears Vans streetwear. In viral images, it can be seen donning a Vans sweatshirt, a blue and orange hat that has 'The Monsters' written in the front, as well as sneakers specially designed by the skater brand. Notably, "The Monsters" is a series of Labubu characters that the doll is a part of. First launched in 2023, this Labubu doll was initially a part of the popular blind boxes from Pop Mart. The series came out as part of the major collaboration between Labubu and Vans. Interestingly, the doll was being sold at the retail price of ₹ 7,400 at the time of its release. With the Labubu trend gaining significant attention around the world, it has now been purchased for ₹ 9.15 lakh, making its resale value 125 times more than the original price. Labubu was initially created by cartoonist Kasing Lung in 2015, featuring in his The Monsters book series. This came to his mind after getting inspired by Nordic fairytales when he moved to the Netherlands from Hong Kong at the age of seven, The Guardian reported. In 2019, Lung joined hands with Pop Mart, with this collaboration going on to bring the unique creatures to life. On secondary markets, Labubu dolls have been among the most searched items, with experts suggesting that these have helped in making legitimate investments, especially due to the limited supply model of Pop Mart, according to Forbes. Lori Verderame, a collectible appraiser who runs her own show on the History Channel, said the "unique look and general appeal" of the Labubu dolls will go on to make them a "strong market collectible for years to come'. These dolls are being offered in various collections and usually come out in "blind boxes". Customers get to see the content only when they open it. Labubu, which were made earlier, are the ones holding great value in the market, New York Post quoted Alex Fung, pop culture consignment director at Goldin Auctions, as saying. Customers usually get these dolls for around ₹ 1,744 to ₹ 3,488. Recently, a pink 'secret' edition of Labubu, which initially came out early last year, was sold for ₹ 1.74 lakh on eBay. According to Forbes, the net worth of Pop Mart CEO Wang Ning has jumped from $2 billion in 2024 to $22 billion. Fans can purchase them from the official website of Pop Mart and other retailers. These were created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung after getting inspired by Nordic mythology.


Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Heartbroken woman offers ₹4,000 reward for lost Labubu doll: ‘Took her out drinking and…'
A woman in San Francisco has gone viral after sharing a heartfelt — and slightly humorous — plea for the return of her lost Labubu doll, which she misplaced during a night of heavy drinking. The woman, who turned to Reddit for help, shared a poster featuring photos of the pink doll, known for its quirky appearance, as it explored the city and snacked on popcorn chicken with her. 'I took her out for a night of drinking and now I regret getting too lit,' she admitted in the Reddit post, referring to the toy affectionately as 'Labubu'. She offered a $50 ( ₹ 4,175) reward for anyone who might return the missing doll, and asked those with information to get in touch. 'I know it's a long shot but this is part of my grieving process,' she added, later joking in the thread that Labubus were 'for the delulu'. The post drew a mix of reactions. While many Reddit users expressed sympathy and support, a few took the opportunity to poke fun. 'I know it's hard but just buy another one,' one commenter suggested. Another joked, 'It's probably in Oakland by now being sold for parts.' Screengrab from the viral post. Labubu dolls, known for their odd-yet-cute charm, have gained such popularity online that some are now being resold for over 100 times their original price. Fortunately, the story had a happy ending. A kind-hearted fellow collector stepped in and gave the woman a replacement – a 'Lychee Berry' Labubu, just like the one she lost. Though not the exact same doll, it brought her comfort. 'While OG Lychee is irreplaceable, I will hold on to Lychee Berry II tightly and take her on new adventures,' she wrote in a follow-up. 'I am so grateful.'


Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
What's the most expensive Labubu doll in the world? How much did it sell for?
Even as many people are taking to burning their Labubus, there are still people who are ready to buy it no matter what the price. A rare Labubu x Vans plush doll sold for a jaw-dropping $10,585 on eBay, smashing previous resale records and cementing the toy's growing status as a series collector's item. Labubu's collaboration with Vans becomes the most expensive on eBay.(@LABUBU_0x/X) According to a New York Post report, the Labubu doll was originally released in 2023 as part of a blind-box collaboration between Chinese toy giant Pop Mart and skatewear brand Vans. The grey-brown Labubu was initially priced at just $85. With the recent sale, its value has multiplied 125 times in less than two years, making it the most expensive Labubu ever sold on the online platform. Also Read: Did Annabelle doll just get a legal guardian? All about comedian Matt Rife's most controversial purchase Another Forbes report stated that the recently auctioned Vans Labubu stood out for its limited availability and trendy streetwear outfit. It sports classic Vans Sk8-Mid sneakers, a matching sweatshirt, and a blue-orange cap emblazoned with 'The Monsters'. With 96 competing bids, the doll's final sale price broke records and signalled the growing demand for rare Labubus. All about the viral Labubu dolls Labubus are quirky, toothy plush dolls inspired by Nordic mythology and created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung; they have become a global phenomenon. Labubus first appeared as part of Pop Mart's The Monsters collection in blind boxes, and these plushies often sell for $20 to $40, with buyers unaware of which character they will get, the NY Post report added. Also read: Shanghai police bust gang selling fake Labubu dolls worth $1.7 million Some of the most expensive Labubu dolls Not all Labubus are created equal. The high resale prices are largely driven by the brand's 'secret editions', ultra-rare dolls that appear in only one out of every 72 or even 144 boxes, the NY Post report added. One such example is the pink 'Catch Me If You Like Me' Labubu, a secret edition that fetched $2,000 on eBay in early 2024. In May, a set of 'Three Wise Labubu' dolls was sold for $28,300 at a Sotheby's auction. A life-sized version even crossed the $150,000 mark at a Chinese auction house in June. What is 'Labubu Hunger Games'? Labubu drops, which usually happen online on Thursday nights and in-store on Friday mornings, unleash chaos. Collectors often line up before dawn, and some stores even hold back inventory to prevent fights. This trend, the NY Post report stated, has been dubbed 'Labubu Hunger Games' in the United Kingdom. Experts, meanwhile, think this is more than a temporary trend. Dr Lori Verderame, a collectible appraiser known for her work on the History Channel, told Forbes that Labubus are 'here to stay' and she compared them to Beanie Babies and Cabbage Patch Dolls. Speaking to the publication, she said, 'Labubus are grounded in international children's literature and modern art culture, which makes them appealing to both collectors and investors.' FAQs Q1: What is Labubu? Labubu is a plush collectible toy character designed by artist Kasing Lung and manufactured by Pop Mart. It's part of 'The Monsters' series. Q2: Why are Labubus so expensive? Their value comes from limited availability, blind box sales, rare secret editions, and collector demand. Q3: How much was the most expensive Labubu ever sold? The most expensive Labubu sold on eBay went for $10,585. Other rare versions have fetched over $150,000 at auction. Q4: Can Labubus be considered an investment? Yes, experts say Labubus have potential for long-term value due to scarcity and cultural appeal. Q5: What is a blind box? A blind box is a mystery-packaged toy; buyers don't know which version they're getting until they open it.