Latest news with #viraltrend
Reuters
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Voting stamps with creative art go viral in South Korea election
Drawings of K-pop stars or pets with voting stamps have become a viral trend on social media during South Korea's presidential election on Tuesday (June 3).
News.com.au
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Pop Mart is the viral toy store that is currently taking over Australia
A collective of people who like to wake up at the crack of dawn and stand in line for hours on end is growing in Australia – with some likening the movement to a 'cult'. But they aren't taking part in a new early morning fitness trend or waiting for a table at a trendy breakfast spot. These adults have become the latest participants of a growing viral craze dubbed 'Labubu mania' – and Aussies have well and truly caught the bug. So what is a Labubu? The $32 keychain plushie, which has a signature toothy grin and slightly-sinister facial features, has become the ultimate status-boosting item after Blackpink's Lisa – a Kpop singer and White Lotus star – wore one on her handbag in April last year. Since then, Labubu fever has taken over the world, with Pop Mart stores – the Chinese toy company behind the in-demand product – regularly swamped by huge crowds of customers all hoping to snag a figurine. 'Australians have embraced the Labubu craze, with collectable toys becoming both a cultural and retail phenomenon,' Yuki Wu, Pop Mart Australia's general manager, told 'Labubu is a mischievous and very cute character from 'The Monsters' series that was created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. 'Known for its quirky smile and pointy ears, Labubu has become a global icon among Gen Z and Millennials.' But while the interest in these dolls is undeniable, what is it about these toys that is luring grown adults into what many would consider nightmare scenarios – such as waiting in a Melbourne line at 3am in the morning? 'The first draw is their adorable design, but it doesn't stop there,' Ms Wu said. 'Each character has a compelling backstory, creating a deep emotional connection. Take Labubu, for example — this series takes the audience on a journey through the enchanted world of The Monsters and it has resonated with fans worldwide. 'Plus, the brand offers a sense of discovery and escapism, with stores that are beautifully designed, immersive experiences. Customers are transported out of the everyday and into a world of unbridled fun.' Indeed, the stores are definitely unique. There are currently 11 Pop Mart stores operating across NSW, VIC, and QLD after the brand opened its first outlet back in Sydney back in mid-2023. But there are also 21 'robo stores' scattered across the country. These are essentially large vending machines that draw just as much attention as the main shops, with videos on social media showing lines snaking through retail centres as people rush to buy a toy. Often Pop Mart won't even tell collectors when its setting up a new vending machine, leading some to find a 'secret Labubu store' and subsequently get very excited. 'Our Robo Shops are not average retail stores,' Ms Wu explained. 'They are strategically located in key areas, designed to provide convenience and captivate customers with their innovative and interesting designs. 'These carefully chosen spots ensure maximum visibility and accessibility for our valued customers.' Even bigger queues form outside physical stores, as videos show on social media, including this clip of a long stretch of people lining Pitt Street in Sydney recently to snag a new Labubu collection. One question many puzzled onlookers and social media users have pondered is how these shoppers know when a new drop will hit shelves. According to Ms Wu, the answer is by getting involved with the local community. 'Customers stay informed by signing up for Pop Mart fan groups. We announce launches on Instagram, Facebook, Red and also via videos shared on TikTok,' she shared. 'We also use WhatsApp to announcing further details for each store.' Another key element to the unbeatable lure of a Labubu – or indeed, another of Pop Mart's viral figurines, such as SkullPandas and Crybabys – is the fact that consumers never actually know what they are buying. Each one comes sealed in a box that could contain one of several variations of the toy, or a very rare 'special' version, that are highly coveted among collectors. 'With Labubu hype growing stronger each week, every blind box drop tends to sell out faster than the previous one – some disappearing within just an hour,' Ms Wu told 'The Sydney CBD Westfield store consistently sees rapid sellouts, while at the launch of Pop Mart's new Doncaster store, eager customers lined up as early as 3am to secure their blind boxes.' While many Aussies have been quick to jump on the bandwagon – Pop Mart says its customer base is 'remarkably diverse, ranging from primary school children to adults in their 40s' – there are some who aren't convinced by the hype. 'Labubu get out of my life please,' shared popular TikTok creator @gunclediaries, who said he would 'block anyone' who posts about the 'bizarre doll'. 'I'm so sick of them. Can everyone please get their own individual sense of style.' Meanwhile the Two Broke Chicks podcast dedicated an entire episode to the trend this week, asking: 'Is it harmless inner child work or a cult?' Popular Aussie comedian Tim Collins recently posted a skit roasting those who go 'feral' for a Labubu, arguing the trend could be compared to the cult Beanie Babies of the 90s and early Noughties which are now no longer 'in Vogue'. Whether you love or hate the Labubu craze, it's clear it's here to stay. At least for a while.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
New £1.25 ‘Dubai-style' chocolate treat leaves Home Bargains shoppers divided as retailer warns ‘run don't walk'
HOME Bargains has jumped on the viral Dubai-style chocolate trend. The retailer is stocking up on the indulgent, Middle Eastern-inspired treat and scanning bags of Dubai Chocolate Cookies for just £1.25. The discount shop posted on its official Instagram feed and urged fans of the viral treats to "run" as stores were stocking something else to satisfy sweet tooths. Shoppers have hailed the pistachio paste biscuits and flocked to social media to discuss. One said: "These look insane!" Another added: "Stop it now!" A third wrote: "Adding to shopping list!" Someone else posted: "[These are] 75p cheaper than Iceland!" However, not all shoppers were convinced by them. One claimed: "They're lovely but the pistachio taste is very weak!" A third wrote: "Doesn't taste of anything the chocolate isn't nice either!" It comes after Marks and Spencer launched it's own version of the viral Dubai-style chocolate, but there's a huge twist. The scrumptious treat will land on shelves on April 23, so shoppers better set their alarms to avoid missing out. Foodies race to buy new Dubai chocolate Easter egg in popular supermarket - the 'filling is crazy' and it's selling FAST The cheapest places to buy Dubai-style chocolate were also revealed in April, with prices starting at just £1.25. Meanwhile, Iceland is also jumping on the trend, with two Dubai-style chocolate bars now in stores. The Nelino Dubai-Style Chocolate (£2 for 62g) and Bolci Dubai Chocolate (£5 for 100g) both feature a luxurious pistachio cream filling and kadayif pastry. Iceland is the first UK retailer to stock Nelino's version, while Bolci's Turkish-made treat is also available at Morrisons. These new arrivals are already proving a hit. Within just a few days, the tablets have been "already delivering impressive volumes", said Harry Weston, senior project development manager for ITEX Food in a LinkedIn post. "This new line is a great addition to our growing Dubai chocolate portfolio. "It delivers exceptional value to shoppers looking for something indulgent, different and affordable," he wrote. Indeed, Nelino's tablet is much cheaper than other Dubai-style chocolates available in supermarkets. Lindt's version, which is sold in Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Ocado - is £10 for 145g.
CNA
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Toothpaste blobs, mango 'dogs': China's Gen Zers cope with stress by turning to quirky 'pets'
SINGAPORE: Most people would wash away excess toothpaste after brushing their teeth. But not Celeste Shao. The 23-year-old, from Jiangsu province in eastern China, went viral for 'raising' a blob of blue toothpaste as a pet after it was 'born in the sink'. Shao shared multiple steps for looking after her little toothpaste blob in a Xiaohongshu post that has garnered more than 95,000 likes and 12,000 comments since its publication in August 2024. 'It needs to be watered regularly or it will slowly dry out. After being watered, it becomes plump and hydrated again,' she said in a series of lighthearted captions. 'When you're bored, you can watch it surf. Surfing helps maintain its moisture but will also shorten its lifespan,' she added. But one might argue that Shao's toothpaste blob has not been the weirdest pet on the Chinese internet. Over the past year, 'mango dogs' - the act of 'grooming' leftover mango seeds to look like cute and fluffy creatures, and pet rocks - with carefully crafted names and personalities - have been other strange hobbies gaining popularity among lonely and often stressed out Chinese Gen Zers. 'It's very interesting and I feel like it resonates with others too,' Shao told CNA. 'I'm very busy at work and don't have the energy to keep a real pet so a short-term 'pet' like this lets me enjoy the fun of caring for a companion.' Not to be outdone, 'yeast pets' have also taken over Chinese social media sites, with many users giving their jars affectionate names like 'Yeast Baby' or 'Little Bub' and sharing pictures and tips for fermenting and raising yeast mixtures of flour and water. Many have compared the process to raising virtual pets like Tamagotchi toys, which were hugely popular among children and teenagers during the early 2000s. 'You don't need to walk it or clean up after it but it's alive,' said Xiao Xiao, a home baker from Shenzhen who has been actively documenting her journey raising a sourdough starter on Xiaohongshu. 'It grows, breathes and responds to care,' she said. 'When I open the lid and see bubbles forming, it makes me strangely happy.' Another baker by the user handle Peach, told CNA that she finds joy in the process of fermenting yeast – whether she's baking or just for fun. 'Every time I open the container lid, I see the live yeast moving, and it's really exciting,' she said. Just like taking care of real pets, keeping yeast alive requires commitment like feeding it daily with flour and water, she added. She has been raising her own 'yeast baby' for a few months and shared that the process was not easy especially during winter months because of colder temperatures. 'Of course (it brings emotional value), just like raising an animal,' she said. 'When it's going well, it makes you happy. You have to feed it every day, right? It also takes a certain sense of responsibility. Even kids can enjoy playing with it.' Some choose to turn their emotional support 'pets' into tangy sourdough once the yeast has fermented strongly enough. But sadly, not all yeast experiments go well, as one Chinese blogger cautioned: 'A healthy starter should smell like fruit or alcohol. If it stinks or (starts to) show mold, it needs to be thrown away.' On the popular Chinese shopping platform Taobao, 'pet rocks' have become a hot craze. A shop called XiaoxueG Design Inspirations Store, with nearly 900 followers, claims to have sold over 1,000 rocks. 'I don't have to worry about (my rock) dying, getting sick or barking at my neighbours,' wrote one user. 'It just listens.' Others revel in the humour and absurdity, saying it's just a fun and affordable way to express care and creativity at a time when real pets may be too costly or time-consuming. 'There's something healing in being silly,' one Chinese social media user said. 'It reminds me not to take life too seriously.' 'It's weird. It's wholesome, and it's very human,' wrote another user on the Weibo microblogging site. RELIEVING STRESS AND EMOTIONAL PRESSURE These unconventional hobbies reflect the growing need for Chinese Gen Zers to cope with stress and emotional pressure from daily life, experts said. 'With urban life speeding up, many young people face mounting pressure and loneliness,' said Dr Qi Jing, Deputy Director of the Clinical Psychology Department at Hunan Second People's Hospital. 'These static pets offer a kind of emotional outlet. They require little, but still create a sense of responsibility, connection and routine.' Zhang Xin, an associate professor from Peking University's School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, believes that these quirky trends point to a bigger picture. 'Any expression of emotion consumes psychological resources, and this expenditure is a cost to the individual,' he told CNA. 'Caring also comes with physical and psychological costs.' 'What's healing about this kind of relationship may lie in the fact that it requires neither emotional investment nor effort, so there's no risk of getting hurt.' Real or imaginary, Chinese millennials and Gen Zers continue to turn to pets over traditional family life. According to a recent Goldman Sachs report, China's pet population is set to nearly double the number of young children by 2030, as more young people delay or reject marriage and parenthood altogether. By the end of the decade, the number of urban pets is expected to surpass 70 million, while children under age four will fall below 40 million. This trend was on display at Pet Fair Asia last year, one of the region's largest pet expos, held in Shanghai. Exhibitors filled all 17 permanent halls of the convention centre, with some even spilling into temporary spaces, to cater to growing demand from child-free couples and young professionals investing in 'fur kids'. 'Our generation has little desire to have kids. And pets do provide companionship and fulfill part of the functions that kids perform,' said Liu Yinghui, a cat owner in her 30s who attended the fair with her husband. 'Rearing a cat is almost like raising a child.'
