Labubu or Lafufu? Here's how to know if your viral doll is authentic

Hindustan Times

2 days ago

Labubu dolls have become a pop culture phenomenon, thanks to their popularity among Gen Z collectors. As Pop Mart, a Beijing-based toy maker, continues to sell the Labubu dolls like hot cakes, fake counterparts of the doll, called Lafufus, have entered the market to capitalize on the former's demand, reports USA Today. Fake counterparts of Labubus, called Lafufus, have entered the market to capitalize on the increasing demand for the dolls.(AFP)
After popular figures, including K-pop star Lisa, pop singer Rihanna, and David Beckham, posted images of the Labubu doll on their Instagram accounts, the plush monster-like dolls have become a sought-after commodity. If you want to buy a doll of your own, here is how to ensure your Labubu is genuine.
Also read: Chinese kid wrecks $56,000 of property in Labubu toy tantrum, shatters ceiling and chandelier
Count the teeth
USA Today reports that some purchasers have found that while a Labubu doll has nine teeth, a Lafufu can have eight or even 10 teeth.
Pop Mart QR code
Labubu dolls purchased from authentic Pop Mart stores arrive in boxes that contain high-quality, three-dimensional holographic stickers, which include QR codes that take purchasers to Pop Mart's official verification site upon scanning.
Buy only from Pop Mart or verified vendors
The best way to ensure your Labubu doll is genuine is to purchase it from Pop Mart itself or verified vendors. Purchasers can rely on Pop Mart's Amazon Store and verified TikTok accounts. Lafufu dolls are available on online shops, including Shein, Temu and Ali Express, as per USA Today.
Also read: The great Labubu heist: $30K worth of plushie monsters nabbed in La Puente
Why are people buying fake Labubu dolls?
While it is difficult to explain Labubu's appeal worldwide, Xinhua, a news agency in Beijing, believes it is attributed to 'Chinese creativity, quality and culture', according to the BBC. According to Xinhua, the Labubu dolls give everyone a chance to see "cool China".
Searches for Lafufu have gone up by 149 per cent over the past month. Laura Court-Jones, small business editor at Bionic, told USA Today that some people are now voluntarily searching for the Lafufu dolls online as genuine Labubu dolls sell out within minutes.
FAQs:
What is a Labubu doll?
The Labubu doll is a plush monster-like doll, manufactured by Pop Mart, a Beijing-based toy maker.
What is Lafufu?
Fake Labubu dolls are being called Lafufu.
Which celebrities made Labubu popular?
Rihanna, David Beckham, and BLACKPINK's Lisa made the Labubu doll popular, among other celebrities.
How to tell if my Labubu doll is genuine?
Count the teeth and look for a Pop Mart QR code.