Latest news with #POPMART
Associated Press
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
POP MART Joins Forces with BlueX to Launch a New Era of Toy-Based RWA and Ignite a Global Blind Box Meme Craze
07/21/2025, Bangkok // PRODIGY: Feature Story // According to official sources from BlueX, the Web3 infrastructure platform is currently in strategic discussions with collectible toy giant POP MART to explore the on-chain transformation of its iconic blind box IPs. The discussions center around introducing these beloved characters into the Web3 space as Real World Assets (RWAs), with a focus on collaborative expansion across Southeast Asia and beyond. The collaboration scope reportedly includes — but is not limited to — digital IP rights confirmation, on-chain blind box transactions, joint Meme IP creation, and the design of a new 'RWA Blind Box' issuance mechanism. The initiative will begin with POP MART's well-known character 'TwinkleTwinkle', aiming to turn collectible toys into structured, tradable digital assets, and expand their use across the broader cultural-financial landscape. 'We believe collectible toys hold not only emotional value, but also asset value,' said a representative from BlueX. 'Through on-chain authentication and asset modeling, the IP economy can evolve beyond collectibles into a new class of digital assets — gaining both financial and user engagement capabilities.' POP MART's 'TwinkleTwinkle' to Lead the Leap On-Chain 'TwinkleTwinkle,' part of POP MART's 'Stellaroo' lineup, is a newly launched IP signed in 2024. Known for its soft and heartwarming design, the character has quickly risen to prominence in the designer toy world. Made up of tiny stars with rosy cheeks, 'TwinkleTwinkle' embodies both childlike innocence and subtle adult emotion, telling stories of courage, longing, and love. Inspired by starlight in darkness, the character is designed to offer a romantic fairytale world for adults who still dream. Since its debut, TwinkleTwinkle has become a major emotional icon for young collectors and remains a top-selling blind box IP. As part of POP MART's international strategy, the character frequently appears in Southeast Asian and Japanese retail spaces and brand collaborations. If realized, this partnership with BlueX would mark the character's first entry into the Web3 space. BlueX has already developed an on-chain Meme-style virtual character based on TwinkleTwinkle and is preparing to launch a series of interactive Web3 experiences to bridge fans of the IP with decentralized digital ecosystems. Toy IP + RWA: Cultural Assets Enter the Chain Today, RWAs represent one of Web3's most compelling narratives. Unlike traditional RWAs such as real estate or bonds, BlueX is pushing the boundaries of what constitutes a 'real-world asset' by experimenting with collectible IPs as tokenized cultural assets. This approach enhances the liquidity and transparency of collectibles while opening new monetization models for IP owners. From on-chain rights confirmation and tiered asset structuring, to IP meme generation, NFT circulation, and financial composability, BlueX aims to build a multi-dimensional RWA framework where traditionally offline collectibles become 'living' digital assets. The collaboration between BlueX and POP MART has officially begun, with the first batch of co-branded visuals completed. More information is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Official Links
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Experts issues warning to singletons who collect Labubus - as it could suggest a personality trait that is seen as a 'red flag' to potential dates
Singletons who collect Labubus could be putting off potential dates, according to a relationship expert. The sharp-toothed grinning toys, which have sparked a craze among Gen Z consumers, were inspired by the illustrated book series The Monsters, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, in which Labubus are a tribe of female elves. They became the must-have item for thousands of young adults and teens after Lung partnered with Chinese toy company POP MART in 2019, producing toys based on his creations. And some people have reportedly spent thousands on the collectibles, with others queuing for hours in order to try and get their hands on a new Labubu. But singletons who collect the items could could see their dating pool shrink, as some people - particularly men - are reportedly put off by the trinkets. Relationship expert Dr Mindy DeSeta, of the Hily Dating app, told Vice there could be a number of reasons why - from seeing the figures as 'immature' to questioning the money management of those who collect them. Speaking about the issue of the maturity, she told the outlet that Labubus 'are often misunderstood and quickly labeled as "dolls".' This, she continued, can make people subconsciously question the 'maturity and life priorities' of people who collect them. Dr DeSeta added that when dating, first impressions are 'powerful', and accessories like Labubus can send signals about who a person is, whether they intend to send those signals or not. Men in particular are likely to be put off by Labubus, she noted, even if subconsciously so, therefore 'anything that hints at immaturity can become a subtle red flag'. Another judgement daters may make about those who collects the items is that they are easily influenced, according to the expert. As Labubus have become a 'viral craze' due to TikTok and celebrity endorsement, a date may 'wonder if you make choices based on trends rather than your own values', Dr DeSeta said. This could subsequently lead them to question the Labubu fan's authenticity, prompting them to wonder whether someone who collects the dolls will 'jump on every bandwagon that comes along'. Moving onto another point, Dr DeSeta noted the cost of Labubus - which can spiral into the hundreds if not thousands, as they can be highly collectible. Because they sell out so quickly, people will often resell them for inflated prices, with some fans even paying to just rent a Labubu. As financial habits are a big deal when dating - even in the early stages - the expert said that spending significant amounts of money on the collectable keychains could suggest that a person might be 'financially impulsive or irresponsible'. If a dater is prudent when it comes to budgeting, and they question whether a Labubu collector is wise when it comes to money management, this could put them off pursuing the relationship further. Another issue raised by the expert is that while collecting the items is often a 'sweet, quirky passion', it could come across as 'a sign of superficiality'. 'Many collectors love flaunting their rare finds and pairing them with designer outfits to show off their Labubus,' Dr DeSeta said, adding that while this can be 'fun', it may come off as 'superficial' or 'high maintenance' to some. This could then result in a date questioning whether the Labubu lover is 'relationship material or just someone who needs to be constantly impressed', she added. Her final point was that those who collects the keychains are likely to invest both time and energy into getting their hands on the sought-after items. Because restocks can sell out within minutes - or even seconds - securing one means buyers have to be organised and strategic, organising their schedule that day around the time and location of the restock. Dr DeSeta said that if 'your date finds out you spent hours waiting in line or obsessively refreshing websites for a blind box, they might be put off'. In addition, she noted, if someone dedicates such significant amounts of effort to following a trend, this could 'raise questions about your priorities and emotional availability'. It comes after a psychologist warned that owning Labubus could be a sign of deeper emotional struggles. While the trend may seem harmless, it has raised eyebrows among mental health professionals - particularly as some fans admit to spending hundreds, even thousands, on the items. From unboxing videos to elaborate displays, fans of the quirky creatures say they're a cute collectable item, but experts say there might be more going on under the surface. Chartered clinical psychologist Tracy King, who has been tracking the rise of 'trinket culture' among younger generations claims it is a 'response to burnout and disconnection.' King described the Labubu toy craze not as a 'shallow trend', but as a 'psychological response' to the unpredictable climate Gen Z are growing up in. Speaking to Tyla, she explained: 'On the surface, they're fun and whimsical. But psychologically, they're deeply symbolic: these objects offer small, accessible moments of comfort, control, and identity in an unpredictable world.' She claimed Gen Z don't have the same financial security as past generations with home ownership on the decline - leaving many young people feeling out of control. However, collectibles are 'something you can control'. The psychologist went on to explain how, while previous generations were largely saving for mortgages and pensions, Gen Z are instead 'investing in now'. Dr King said: 'They've watched global crises unravel with pandemics, recessions, the climate emergency - so the big life goals that guided previous generations often feel out of reach. She clarified that they are not collecting the toys 'out of immaturity' but instead as a 'form of emotional repair', adding: 'These soft, playful objects evoke feelings of safety, care, and nostalgia, things that might've been missing or cut short in early life. This is inner child work in action.'
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Experts issue urgent warning over Labubu trend
Psychologists are warning that owning Labubu toys, the latest collectible craze among Gen Z, could be a sign of deeper emotional struggles. The sharp-toothed grinning toys have been inspired by the illustrated book series The Monsters, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, in which Labubus are a tribe of female elves. The characters became the must-have item for thousands of young adults and teens after Lung partnered with the Chinese toy company POP MART in 2019, producing toys based on his creations. But while the trend may seem harmless, it has raised eyebrows among mental health professionals - particularly as some fans admit to spending hundreds, even thousands, on the tiny toys. From unboxing videos to elaborate displays, fans of the quirky creatures say they're a cute collectable item, but experts say there might be more going on under the surface. Chartered clinical psychologist Tracy King, who has been tracking the rise of 'trinket culture' among younger generations claims it is a 'response to burnout and disconnection.' King claimed the Labubu toy craze is not 'a shallow trend', but is actually a 'psychological response' to the unpredictable climate Gen Z are growing up in. Speaking to Tyla, she explained: 'On the surface, they're fun and whimsical. But psychologically, they're deeply symbolic: these objects offer small, accessible moments of comfort, control, and identity in an unpredictable world.' She claimed Gen Z don't have the same financial security as past generations with home ownership on the decline - leaving many young people feeling out of control. However, collectibles are 'something you can control'. The psychologist went on to explain how, while previous generations were largely saving for mortgages and pensions, Gen Z are instead 'investing in now'. Dr King said: 'They've watched global crises unravel with pandemics, recessions, the climate emergency—so the big life goals that guided previous generations often feel out of reach. Dr King clarified that they are not collecting the toys 'out of immaturity' but instead is a 'form of emotional repair'. She added: 'These soft, playful objects evoke feelings of safety, care, and nostalgia, things that might've been missing or cut short in early life. This is inner child work in action.' Fellow psychologist and co-founder of US Therapy Rooms, Dr Daniel Glazer, agrees that the Labubu trend reflects deeper generational patterns. He told the publication that Gen Z came of age during a time marked by economic instability and the pandemic, a period when traditional life milestones felt delayed or out of reach. In response, many have turned to so-called 'micro-luxuries' like collectible toys, using small purchases to reclaim a sense of control and instant gratification in a world that often feels uncertain. Limited edition versions of Labubu can fetch staggering prices on resale platforms, and online communities are flooded with users showing off entire shelves filled with dozens of the figures. Meanwhile research psychologist Dr. Emma Palmer-Cooper warned Tyla that when collecting becomes obsessive, taking up too much space, money, or fostering unhealthy competition, it be harmful. While collecting can support psychological needs, it may also become a form of avoidance, distracting from deeper emotional issues. It comes after a one-of-a-kind Labubu doll sold for a staggering $150,000 (£112,000) at the Yongle International Auction in Beijing in June. Most of the plush, furry dolls, which have big teeth and elf-like ears, are pocket-sized and cost around £39–£65. The auction was the first to be dedicated to Labubu-brand products. Nearly 1,000 participants were bidding online or in person for at least one of 48 lots that were up for sale. By the end of the auction, all of the Labubu collectibles were sold, racking in more than $500,000 (£372,000) in sales. The auction house is now planning to hold more events dedicated to this toy brand due to the 'growing momentum of pop art in the auction market.' These trendy dolls have taken the world by storm, and have featured as arm candy for A-listers like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink member Lisa. Meanwhile brides in 2025 are updating the 'bouquet toss' ritual by throwing Labubu dolls at their single female friends in yet another sign of the growing obsession with these plush toys. The long-held wedding ritual sees the bride throw her bouquet towards the women in attendance, with whoever catches it said to be the next to get married. However, some newlyweds - presumably lucky enough to have a Labubu or two to spare - are ditching the flowers in favour of the viral bag charms that adult women can't seem to get enough of. For instance, one Melbourne-based bride threw a Labubu keychain at her waiting friends at her wedding reception, as footage of the woman riling up the crowd before chucking the mystery box at them was shared online. The video, posted on TikTok by one of the guests, showed them scrambling to get their hands on the toy while screaming in delight. 'Is it a 2025 wedding if there isn't a Labubu toss?' the caption read. This isn't the only wedding that's featured a 'Labubu toss' in recent times; in fact, 3,235 miles away in Jakarta, another newlywed couple did the exact same. In a video shared on TikTok, the pair can be seen throwing the tiny box into a sea of guests who all rushed to claim the Labubu doll. The clip was posted by the bride's sister, who goes by the username @sellarmoonnn, as she revealed her 'boyfriend caught the Labubu toss' in the caption. 'Bouquet toss < Labubu toss,' she added. Elsewhere, another bride seemingly decided to attach the lavender-coloured figurine to her wedding bouquet - before clarifying 'it's for the video'. Krish Parathan, from Toronto, shared a video of a woman getting ready to tie the knot and captioned the clip: 'Your Labubu is the main character of your wedding bouquet.' But the woman believed to be the bride later told people to 'calm down' while explaining that she did not walk down the aisle with the Labubu but simply posed with it for the video. She wrote: 'Everyone calm down it's for video I didn't walk down the aisle with it.' Not only have Labubus been thrown at guests and fastened onto bouquets, but guests have also offered the keyrings as a wedding gift to the bride and groom. One such person, TikToker @babybalut, who attended a wedding in San Jose filmed herself running over to the happy couple with two mystery boxes as they each picked one. 'POV: You give Labubus as a wedding gift,' the caption read. She was filmed running over to the happy couple with two mystery boxes as the bride and groom said which ones they wanted. It comes after shocking footage of several men hurling punches at one another to secure Labubu dolls surfaced on social media. The group had supposedly been trying to purchase some Labubu dolls at an outlet for Pop Mart, which makes the gremlin-like bag charms, in Stratford's Westfield shopping centre when the brawl ensued. It is not the first time the Labubu plushies have sparked violence among fans of the furry fashion accessory, with one woman also telling the BBC she witnessed a fight between a worker and a shopper in the same store. Pop Mart - a Chinese toy store for adults - has since announced it would be pulling all of its Labubu plushies from its 16 UK stores until June to 'prevent any potential safety issues'. The company told the BBC this was 'not the kind of customer experience it aimed to offer' and promised the dolls would 'return to physical stores' next month as they work on a 'new release mechanism'. But some devoted fans have reacted in fury to the company's decision to pull the toys, blaming them for causing 'hype' by only releasing a few dolls at a time. Others have also complained of re-sellers making it increasingly difficult to purchase the dolls, which can be bought in-store or online for as little as £13.50, by selling them on second-hand sites for up to £600. Ashley Bushey, 32, said she spent more than £1,000 on 13 Labubu toys and countless hours scrolling on TikTok Shop, Vinted and Facebook re-sale groups to expand her collection. Miss Bushey, a Northamptonshire-based coffee shop supervisor, said she predominantly tunes in to Pop Mart's regular TikTok livestreams, which showcase the toys for fans to purchase. 'It's a battlefield. (Pop Mart) are live every day from 2pm to 7pm and I sneak out at work, like I'm always trying to score one on the (livestream),' she said. She said she spends 'more time than I care to admit' finding Labubus, but added 'especially now, because they're so hard to get' after Pop Mart's decision to pause UK sales. 'I'm not even a big collector in the scheme of things. If you go into Facebook groups, I mean, some of them are insane,' she said. Miss Bushey said she collects the '90s and early 2000s toys and started buying Labubus from Pop Mart's The Monsters series in December, describing them as 'so ugly that they were cute'. All the Labubus in The Monsters collection are female, making male versions of the toys extremely rare. The toy collector said she managed to find a rare male toy named Zimomo, which she bought for £200, but added that she had seen some limited edition Labubus listed at £600 on Vinted and eBay.
Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
What is Pazuzu? Why are Labubu dolls being linked to a demon?
Just when you thought your social media feed was shrugging off the clutches of the viral Labubu dolls, there's a new revelation: the cute bag charms may have a demonic connection. Labubus are being linked to Pazuzu, the Mesopotamian king of wind demons, who, according to Britannica, is the son of Hanpa and brother to Humbaba (Huwawa). Videos circulating on social media have netizens freaking out over strange activity observed after bringing home the viral toy, from flickering lights to eerie noises heard late in the night. A post shared by Emmanuel (@emmanuel) The lore goes that Pazuzu helped humans ward off other demons, and, thus, representations of his face served as popular apotropaic amulets in the 1st millennium BCE in the Middle East. Pazuzu's body is similar to those of other Mesopotamian demons, but his head is distinct from all others. It is a rectangular shape, with capric horns, massive eyebrows over deep-set round eyes, a canine jaw that displays teeth and tongue, a long two-pronged beard marked out by horizontal lines, and protruding ears. That's where the chilling similarity with Labubus arise. The Internet is busy drawing parallels between the Mesopotamian demon and Labubus, the quirky, wide-eyed collectible figurines created by Hong Kong-based toy brand POP MART, in collaboration with artist Kasing Lung. Labubu dolls are not conventionally 'cute'. Their wide eyes, mischievous grin, and slightly eerie vibe speak directly to Gen Z's love for the offbeat and peculiar — emotions that encapsulate their energy. And the Pazuzu's head is the earliest known example of Mesopotamian iconography blending multiple animal and human features, with the earlier iconography adding only one animal body part, such as a lion's head, on a human body. bUt 𝕨𝕙𝕪 𝕕𝕠 𝕞𝕪 𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕗𝕝𝕚𝕔𝕜𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕚 𝕤𝕖𝕥 𝕙𝕚𝕞 𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕟? L̴A̴b̴U̴b̴U̴ ̴x̴ ̴P̴a̴Z̴u̴Z̴u̴ ̴c̴O̴L̴L̴A̴B̴ ̴L̴E̴A̴K̴E̴D̴.̴.̴.̴ 👁👹 tHeY sAy iF u pUt 3 lAbUbUs iN a tRiAnGlE 🔺 a cHiLd lAuGhS iN yOuR wAlLs 😬 yOuR tOoThBrUsH gOeS mIsSiNg aNd a bUnNy eAr… — LabubuMisfits (@LabubuMisfits) July 2, 2025 Jokes about supernatural activity surrounding Labubus have gained attention, with netizens expressing distress and concern over children collecting and playing with these dolls. However, all links are just speculation and conjecture, with no concrete evidence pointing towards any real connection. Britannica further states that the earliest archaeological evidence of Pazuzu—found in the grave of a royal woman entombed in Nimrud (near present-day Mosul, Iraq)—dates to 8th century BCE. Images of Pazuzu have been found throughout the ancient Middle East, dating to the 1st millennium BCE, including the Neo-Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian, and late Babylonian periods. Pazuzu's iconography has puzzled researchers because of its sudden and fully realised appearance in the archaeological record, displaying no apparent evolutionary stages. The lack of any earlier identifiable representations renders it impossible to pinpoint the exact geographic origins of the imagery, though it most likely developed in either Egypt or Mesopotamia. While Pazuzu's head is sometimes depicted alone, it is often paired with the faces of other Mesopotamian demons or gods. Some Pazuzu amulets have images inscribed on their backs of deities who were considered permanent allies of humans, such as Ugallu and Lulal. Archaeologists conjecture that these pairings were meant to ensure Pazuzu's power remained directed away from human targets and to protect the wearer from danger.
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Cat Goes Out—Owner Unsure if 'Proud or Concerned' Over What They Bring Home
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A cat has gained viral attention after she was caught on camera with an unexpected, and highly coveted, item in her mouth. Coco the ragdoll cat was filmed with a Labubu plush toy, a sharp-toothed figurine that has become a must-have worldwide. The TikTok video showing Coco proudly trotting home with the toy in tow has amassed almost 500,000 views, unleashing a flood of hilarity and admiration. "Coco stole someone's Labubu and bought it home. Idk [I don't know] if I should be proud or concerned," poster @ said in a comment. The caption joked: "Coco begins her career as a cat burglar." The Labubu Obsession Grows Labubu, created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and produced by POPMART, has exploded from underground art darling to global pop culture icon in the last year. Distributed primarily in "blind boxes," adding an air of mystery, Labubu figures have become cult favorites, appearing in the hands of celebrities like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and David Beckham. The high-fashion market has even embraced the plush toys, with figures appearing on high-end Hermès Birkin bags and in the pages of Vogue magazine. A picture from the video of Coco the cat with her unexpected discovery. A picture from the video of Coco the cat with her unexpected discovery. @ In 2024, producer POPMART reported revenue of over 13 billion yuan ($1.79 billion), more than double the amount made in the year before. Thanks to their popularity, some limited-edition figures resell for up to $7,000, while a towering 4-foot version fetched over $170,000 at a Beijing auction this past June. Counterfeits—nicknamed "Lafufus"—have flooded the market as demand outpaces supply. "Random cat even got a Labubu before me," viewer Jess posted in the comments on the TikTok video. PotatoWithLipstickkau wrote: "She better find herself a Birkin to put it on now." "Hmmmm … are we allowed to put orders in?" asked a third TikTok viewer. Emily-sue said, "Consumerism has spread to cats," and Nadia wrote: "Not gonna lie, she looks so proud and happy. If I caught her stealing mine, I'd let her have it." This isn't the first time a feline has gained attention for a crafty theft. Earlier this year, a woman apologized to her neighbors when she realized her cat kept bringing home sponges from people's houses. And, last year, a cat was caught red-handed after coming home with the neighbor's chicken dinner in tow. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
