The Labubu craze: A toy sculpture sells for R2. 6 million in China
Image: STRINGER / IC photo / Imaginechina via AFP
A Beijing auction house has sold a four-foot-tall sculpture of a viral plush toy character for more than $150,000 (R2.6 million), as global demand for the Chinese-designed Labubu dolls reaches fever pitch.
The rabbit-like figures sporting mischievous grins began as a character created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and are made by Beijing-based toy brand Pop Mart.
They have been endorsed by celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa, and fans have queued overnight outside stores hoping to snag one, with analysts pointing to the phenomenon as evidence of China's growing soft power.
On Tuesday, a teal sculpture depicting a Labubu character with a furry body and head fetched an eye-watering 1.08 million yuan ($150,260) at an auction held in Beijing, according to the auction house's app.
The sculpture is "the only piece of its kind in the world", according to Yongle International Auction.
It was offered alongside other Labubu paraphernalia, including a brown statue that sold for 820,000 yuan.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
Pop Mart has over 400 stores globally, including 30 US branches.
The worldwide frenzy has seen people go to desperate lengths to acquire their own Labubu.
Last month, a London branch of Pop Mart suspended in-store sales of the toys, fearing violence from would-be buyers who failed to get their hands on the limited-edition Labubus.
In Singapore, CCTV footage captured a family stealing Labubu dolls from a claw machine, according to Singaporean online media outlet AsiaOne.
Burglars broke into a store in California last week and took several Labubu dolls along with electronics and other valuables, American news outlet ABC reported.
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.
The toys have spawned a booming resale market as well as an online community of fans sharing tips on how to customise their dolls.
Knockoffs, many of which are also made in China, have flooded online platforms, dubbed "Lafufus" by social media users.
AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
17 hours ago
- IOL News
Dubai's viral chocolate burger divides the internet: culinary genius or just a sugar bomb?
This sweet creation, a mashup of cake and chocolate, has quickly gone viral on social media, sparking both excitement and debate. Image: Zehra A Syed Instagram Food has long been a powerful connector of cultures, communities and cravings. And in Dubai - a city known for pushing the boundaries of luxury and indulgence - food isn't just nourishment, it's a spectacle. From gold-dusted cappuccinos to oversized milkshakes, the Emirate has firmly cemented itself as the global capital of culinary extravagance. The latest creation to stir online frenzy? A chocolate burger so outrageous it's splitting the internet in half. The so-called "Dubai Chocolate Burger" has gone viral, first appearing in an Instagram reel that has since amassed thousands of views and sparked heated debate across social media. Created by B Laban, a UAE-based dessert chain renowned for its bold, Middle Eastern-inspired sweets, the burger is unlike anything seen before. What's in this sweet 'burger'? Forget beef patties and cheese - this dessert is built for the bold. Sandwiched between two halves of soft, golden English cake is a decadent combination of pistachio mousse (rich and nutty), crispy kunafa (adding a delicate crunch) and a Belgian chocolate brownie that's dense and fudgy. To top it all off, the dessert is served with a warm container of flowing Belgian chocolate, allowing diners to drizzle or dip at will - depending on how far they want to take the indulgence. At AED 30 (about R150), the burger is relatively affordable for Dubai's food scene. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Reactions to the dessert have been as layered as the treat itself. Some viewers were captivated by its indulgent appeal and artistic presentation. "Why does it look so satisfying?" one Instagram user commented. "Such an amazing experience," wrote another. "I want to try this at least once in my life." However, others weren't so easily convinced. Critics questioned its health implications and extreme sugar levels. "Nooooo!!! Too much!" exclaimed a viewer. "One word: diabetes," one user joked. Another wrote, "Add insulin to that burger." Beyond the chocolate burger, Dubai's dessert obsession is going global - thanks to another viral treat. A milk chocolate bar stuffed with pistachio cream, tahini, and crispy kadayif has taken TikTok and Instagram by storm over the past year. Dubbed 'Dubai chocolate' by fans, this layered sweet has become a must-try for content creators, dessert shops and online candy resellers. However, the hype came crashing down recently due to serious food safety concerns. On July 14, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and World Market issued a recall for a product called Spread Pistachio Cacao Cream with Kadayif, manufactured by Turkish company Emek Gıda. The cause? Potential Salmonella contamination. The affected product, prominently labelled 'Dubai' and sold at World Market, closely mirrors the viral chocolate bar in its ingredients: milk chocolate, pistachio-tahini cream and shredded filo pastry. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture conducted testing as part of an investigation into imported pistachio spread products. Their findings confirmed Salmonella in product samples, prompting the recall. That's not the only issue. In the UK, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued an urgent recall for the Noesis Schokolade Love of Dubai bar, not for contamination, but because it contained undeclared peanuts - a severe allergy risk for consumers. Tempted or terrified, one thing's for sure: Dubai knows how to serve dessert - and drama - like no one else.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Eliza Spencer - Princess Diana's niece - engaged to SA businessman
Lady Eliza Spencer – the niece of the late Princess Diana – has announced her engagement to South African businessman, Channing Millerd. The blonde model is the twin sister of Amelia and the younger sibling of Kitty. Their father is Charles Spencer, the older brother of the late royal. The Spencer siblings, including brother Louis, were raised in Cape Town, South Africa, out of the spotlight. On Thursday, 31 July, Lady Eliza Spencer posted pictures on Instagram of her recent engagement to Channing Millerd. The romantic proposal took place in Santorini, Greece, during a picturesque sunset. 'Forever and ever', Eliza captioned the pics. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eliza Spencer (@elizavspencer) The engagement comes a few weeks after the London-based model and socialite celebrated her 33rd birthday. Calling her the 'love of my life, my inspiration and my heart', Channing posted on his Instagram account: 'You epitomise grace yet have a fierce strength that holds our world together. Lady Eliza Spencer is engaged! Image via Instagram: @elizavspencer 'Thank you for everything that you are, I truly am the luckiest man in this world to be able to call you mine'. Lady Eliza Spencer and Channing Millerd, who has a son from a previous relationship, began dating in 2016. Her wedding will come hot on the heels of her sisters Amelia, who married in 2023, and Kitty, who wed in 2021. Charles Spencer – the brother of the late Princess Diana – reportedly did not attend the nuptials over their 'strained' relationship. Lady Eliza Spencer's future husband is a Cape Town businessman, whose current role is the COO of Marxhoff, the alcohol beverage company co-founded by Springboks Malcolm Marx and Steven Kitshoff. Eliza and Channing are pals with the Springbok couples, as well as many others who follow them on Instagram. He also manages Lala V, a luxury Provence rosé wine he co-founded with his now fiancée. The couple has vacationed in beautiful destinations around the world, including Venice in Italy, the Maldives, Mallorca in Spain, and Austria. They're even considering a seaside wedding. Eliza told Hello! Magazine: 'We love the idea of a destination wedding. 'We feel drawn to Italy, especially somewhere by the ocean – that feels so romantic to us.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Keanu Cupido's Mamelodi Sundowns journey: From holiday dreams to automatic starter
Mamelodi Sundowns' Keanu Cupido impressed with his performances at the Fifa Club World Cup. Image: Backpagepix Keanu Cupido thought he'd be flying out to the United States for an all-expenses paid holiday when he made Mamelodi Sundowns' final squad for the Fifa Club World Cup. But rather than finding himself soaking up the sunshine of Florida, Cupido became an integral part of coach Miguel Cardoso's plans. The Portugal-born coach surprisingly drafted Cupido into the starting lineup from the onset, and ended up starting the next two group matches too. Cupido, speaking on the sidelines of the MTN8 launch this week ahead of their quarter-final tie at home to Richards Bay Sunday, admitted he was shocked after getting the nod to start. 'It's not about (walking) straight into the team. It's been about working behind the scenes. So, it's just hard work that paid off,' the central defender explained. 'It did surprise me (to get the nod), because I hadn't played for a while. So, I thought going to a major tournament like this would be a holiday for me, but God works in mysterious ways.' Cupido 🗣 "We want to start the season very well, this is a game where we want to show up. We want to win this trophy." Our season kicks off this Sunday and we are ready to go! 👆 Get your tickets! 🎟 #MTN8 #AreyengMasandawana — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 31, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Cupido is understandably surprised. Breaking into the star-studded Sundowns team is not easy, and no coach wants to tamper with his defensive organisation. The 27-year-old, though, insisted that he was welcomed with open arms in the starting lineup as those who played alongside him gave him words of advice. 'The players at Mamelodi Sundowns make it very easy for one of us to perform on the day,' Cupido explained. 'If you go to a big game, the players will tell you: just do the basics, and simple things, then your confidence will grow. And that's what I did. 'So that helped me a lot to settle into the first game, and from then on it was a smooth ride for me.' Cupido didn't only settle at Sundowns with the help of his teammates and technical team. It also took someone close to his heart to keep him going after a tough start at the club. 'In all honesty, it was tough for me at first, but my wife made it easy for me,' said Cupido, who had only made two appearances for the team prior to the Club World Cup. 'She said 'everything works through God, if it's his timing, then it will happen'. That kept me going. 'So, I feel she played a major part in this. She kept me motivated, head down and working hard. I think that support structure is very important.' 🏆 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 🏆 In a league of his own! 🔥 Lucas Ribeiro your 24/25 PSL Footballer Of The Season! 👆 We are proud of you Lucas! 👏#Sundowns #PSLAwards25 — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 29, 2025 Cupido also credited his former Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler for pushing him after a promising start to his career. 'You need someone to trust you,' Cupido acknowledged. 'At the end of Eric's last two seasons in his last spell, he felt like he trusted me more and more. 'So, I also felt like I needed to give him back. So, since he made me the vice-captain, that gave responsibility for me as a player. 'I think it made me grow as a player as well. If you are comfortable in one spot, then you don't grow. He needed to put more responsibility on me.' There'll be more responsibilities and expectations that will be placed on Cupido and Co ahead of the new season after winning the hearts of many in the US. Cupido, though, is not fazed by that, saying the players know that their job at Sundowns comes with expectation, including giving their best season in and season out. 'We feel like we need to take care of our bodies as players firstly, and then the team will come into it when we need to do our recoveries,' Cupido said. 'We also need to look at what we eat because nutrition is very important. So that's the thing that separates professionals from the rest. 'You could see that Tebza [Teboho Mokoena] and [Lucas] Ribeiro played so many games last season, so they are used to the workload.'
