Latest news with #HongKong-born
Sydney Morning Herald
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Winter might be setting in, but there's still plenty to do
For those who love the great outdoors, winter can be a challenging time. Fortunately in Melbourne there are always plenty of options when it comes to the arts and culture. Scheherazade Hamer Hall, June 2 For a transcendental start to your week like no other, join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's 'quick fix at half six' on the first Monday of June – a 75-minute performance that kickstarts with excerpts and insights from the conductor before a work is performed in full. On this night in question, the conductor is Hong Kong-born, internationally renowned conductor Elim Chan and the work is Scheherazade, a symphonic suite composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1888 and based on One Thousand and One Nights. First Voices Showcase Iwaki Auditorium, June 4 Celebrate the culmination of one of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's most exciting artist development programs, the First Voices Composer program, at this showcase event. Hear the premiere of works by Jaadwa composer, producer and sound artist James Howard and Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri and South Sea Islander multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Nathaniel Andrew, performed by musicians of the MSO, in an evening that celebrates the vital contribution of First Nations artists to the ongoing vitality of the orchestral sector. Noongar violinist, violist, composer and conductor Aaron Wyatt will conduct and present on the night. The Birds Malthouse, until June 7 Forever immortalised on film by master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock, Daphne du Maurier's chilling thriller The Birds has been adapted into a stage production at Malthouse Theatre. Directed by Malthouse's former artistic director Matthew Lutton and brought to life by playwright Louise Fox, the one-woman show stars Paula Arundell – one of Australia's most compelling stage actors – in an unforgettable tour de force. Armed with individual headsets, theatregoers are thrust into an adrenaline-fuelled soundscape of flying feathers and murderous swoops as relentless, supernatural birds attack a coastal town. Chinese Textile Donations from Tyon Gee Museum of Chinese Australian History, June 8 This one-of-a-kind event will unveil a beautiful capsule collection of Chinese garments donated by Tyon Gee, an early Chinese migrant who moved from Guangdong to Sydney in 1939 with her husband and two children. Her story and wardrobe reflect the resilience and cultural heritage of Chinese Australians in the 1930s, highlighting the tension at the time between tradition and assimilation and the preservation of cultural roots. It's a special opportunity to explore history through fabric, fashion, and migrant-led storytelling.
The Age
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Winter might be setting in, but there's still plenty to do
For those who love the great outdoors, winter can be a challenging time. Fortunately in Melbourne there are always plenty of options when it comes to the arts and culture. Scheherazade Hamer Hall, June 2 For a transcendental start to your week like no other, join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's 'quick fix at half six' on the first Monday of June – a 75-minute performance that kickstarts with excerpts and insights from the conductor before a work is performed in full. On this night in question, the conductor is Hong Kong-born, internationally renowned conductor Elim Chan and the work is Scheherazade, a symphonic suite composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1888 and based on One Thousand and One Nights. First Voices Showcase Iwaki Auditorium, June 4 Celebrate the culmination of one of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's most exciting artist development programs, the First Voices Composer program, at this showcase event. Hear the premiere of works by Jaadwa composer, producer and sound artist James Howard and Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri and South Sea Islander multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Nathaniel Andrew, performed by musicians of the MSO, in an evening that celebrates the vital contribution of First Nations artists to the ongoing vitality of the orchestral sector. Noongar violinist, violist, composer and conductor Aaron Wyatt will conduct and present on the night. The Birds Malthouse, until June 7 Forever immortalised on film by master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock, Daphne du Maurier's chilling thriller The Birds has been adapted into a stage production at Malthouse Theatre. Directed by Malthouse's former artistic director Matthew Lutton and brought to life by playwright Louise Fox, the one-woman show stars Paula Arundell – one of Australia's most compelling stage actors – in an unforgettable tour de force. Armed with individual headsets, theatregoers are thrust into an adrenaline-fuelled soundscape of flying feathers and murderous swoops as relentless, supernatural birds attack a coastal town. Chinese Textile Donations from Tyon Gee Museum of Chinese Australian History, June 8 This one-of-a-kind event will unveil a beautiful capsule collection of Chinese garments donated by Tyon Gee, an early Chinese migrant who moved from Guangdong to Sydney in 1939 with her husband and two children. Her story and wardrobe reflect the resilience and cultural heritage of Chinese Australians in the 1930s, highlighting the tension at the time between tradition and assimilation and the preservation of cultural roots. It's a special opportunity to explore history through fabric, fashion, and migrant-led storytelling.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
These toys are so hot that Chinese customs agents have seized hundreds of them in recent weeks
Unveiling their latest seizure in front of news cameras last month, two Chinese customs agents revealed not drugs or weapons – but suitcases full of plush toys. The stash on display included dozens of Pop Mart Labubus - the toothy, fluffy figurines that have sparked buying frenzies around the world, and in some cases, brawls among fans outside shops selling them. Even in China, where Pop Mart is based and most of its toys are made, people are struggling to get their hands on Labubus. When CNN recently visited a Pop Mart store at a bustling shopping mall in downtown Beijing, Labubu dolls were nowhere to be found on shelves, with only display samples remaining in glass cabinets. Labubus are typically 'sold out in seconds' when released, longtime Pop Mart fan Evelyn Lin told CNN. 'It's almost impossible to get a Labubu via the official channels,' she said. Fans are instead turning to unusual sources - including buying from smugglers. A total of 462 Pop Mart toys have been confiscated by customs authorities across China since April, according to a CNN compilation of multiple official posts. Details and footage of one seizure were posted by China's Customs Administration on social media, which stated that that the toys were intended 'for profit by resale' and seized in accordance with law. The post did not say whether any of the Labubu smugglers faced other legal consequences. Labubu is the brainchild of Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung, and it has quietly built a loyal following since its 2015 debut. But in recent months, the bunny-bodied, elf-faced creature — equal parts grotesque and adorable — has soared in popularity. Stars including Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Lisa from K-pop group Blackpink have worn Labubus like lucky charms, and the toys were even spotted at Paris Fashion Week this year. According to Chinese state-owned media outlet Cover News, a blind box from the latest Labubu 3.0 series, originally priced at 584 yuan ($81), has been selling for between 1,000 ($139) and 2,000 yuan ($278) on the second-hand market. Pop Mart's annual results show that the company's global gross profit surged by over 125% last year, while its revenue in mainland China reached more than $1.09 billion, 34% higher than 2023. But buying from resellers carries risks. Kate Yang, a Beijing resident and Labubu enthusiast, told CNN that her two last purchases from resellers both turned out to be fakes. 'Because they are not available on official platforms, if you're in a rush to get a gift for a friend, you just can't manage to get the popular ones in time,' said Yang. 'You can only pay extra to buy from resale platforms.' CNN's Marc Stewart and Martha Zhou contributed reporting
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
$1.6 billion in a day: How Labubu dolls made this CEO a global sensation overnight
What do bunny ears, blind boxes, and celebrity handbags have in common? Apparently, a $1.6 billion boost to a CEO's net worth. Wang Ning, the 38-year-old founder and CEO of Pop Mart International Group, saw his fortune leap by a staggering $1.6 billion in a single day—all thanks to the runaway success of Labubu, the shaggy, mischievous figurine taking the world by storm. Labubu, dreamed up by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, originated in the 2015 picture book The Monsters and was once a niche designer toy. That changed after Lung teamed up with Pop Mart in 2019, launching Labubu into global toy superstardom. With its bunny ears and gremlin-meets-Teletubby vibe, the doll has become a cultural phenomenon. A major driver of Labubu's success is Pop Mart's use of 'blind boxes'—sealed packages that don't reveal which character is inside. This gamble has proven addictive for collectors. In 2024 alone, Labubu accounted for roughly $400 million in revenue. The craze has had its wild moments. In the UK, store launches sparked chaos and even scuffles, prompting Pop Mart to suspend in-store sales of Labubu across its 16 locations. The company plans to resume in June but continues to sell the dolls online. Social media and celebrity culture have only supercharged Labubu's appeal. Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink's Lisa have been seen toting the dolls, often clipped to luxury bags. On TikTok, the #Labubu hashtag has exploded with over 1.4 million posts, feeding the frenzy. LISA is recognized by Vogue Italia and Teen Vogue as the driving force behind the worldwide surge in popularity of Labubu plush, highlighting her pivotal role in setting the global trend. — Pop Core (@TheePopCore) May 26, 2025 This success has propelled Pop Mart's app to the top of the US shopping charts and massively boosted investor confidence. According to Forbes, Wang Ning's real-time net worth as of April 2025 is $18.7 billion. Born in Henan province in 1987, Wang graduated from Zhengzhou University in 2009 and founded Pop Mart the following year. What started as a small collectibles business is now a global toy empire—with bunny ears leading the charge.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
This 38-Year-Old Chinese CEO Added $1.6 Billion To His Fortune In A Day, All Thanks To A Viral Doll
Wang Ning, the chairman and CEO of Chinese toy maker Pop Mart International, became $1.6 billion richer in a single day, all thanks to his company's viral Labubu dolls. The seemingly innocuous doll is based on a character designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung for his 2015 picture book series 'The Monsters'. The doll features distinctive bunny ears and a mischievous grin. It gained popularity after Mr Lung partnered with Pop Mart in 2019. Since then, the doll has become the latest collectable trend among Gen Z and has also been spotted hanging from the luxury bags of celebrities like Rihanna, Blackpink's Lisa, and Singaporean socialite Jamie Chua. In fact, the Labubu craze is so much that it added billions to its creator's fortune. According to an April 2025 Forbes report, Wang Ning, the man behind these viral dolls, became $1.6 billion richer in a single day, thanks to his company's soaring popularity in the United States. Today, Mr Ning's net worth stands at $18.3 billion, per Forbes Real Time Billionaires List. Pop Mart's success with Labubu translated into an impressive digital performance as the company's app became the most downloaded shipping app in the US. Even with the ongoing trade tensions between China and the US, Americans queued up for hours to buy the rabbit-looking dolls. This digital surge, coupled with robust sales, significantly contributed to the substantial increase in Mr Ning's net worth. "Pop Mart's shares got a short-term boost due to the app's ranking in the US and the rush to acquire its dolls," Kenny Ng, a Hong Kong-based securities strategist at Everbright Securities International, told Forbes. What are Labubu dolls? Labubu is one of the characters created by Kasing Lung. It belongs to Mr Lung's imaginative storybook world, 'The Monsters', which also features other whimsical characters such as Zimomo, Tycoco, Spooky and Pato. According to Mr Lung's book, Labubu is an elf, a girl distinguished by high-pointed ears, no tail, and a unique face that ranges from innocent to impish. Labubu is admired for her kind-hearted character. Her slightly eerie, toothy grin and kooky expressions are a hit among children. Over the years, Labubu has been reimagined in over 300 variations, in different colours, outfits, sizes and themes. In 2019, Pop Mart teamed up with Kasing Lung to launch Labubu figures in their The Monsters series. These are sold in blind boxes, and each sealed package hides a surprise design. This element of surprise has fueled a buying frenzy, encouraging repeat purchases to complete collections. In 2024 alone, the company reported a revenue of $1.8 billion, with Labubu contributing nearly $400 million to that figure.
