What’s the Big Deal About Labubu? The Jaw-Dropping Truth Inside!

Here it is: you’re scrolling through TikTok, minding your own business, when suddenly, a fuzzy, toothy creature with a devilish grin pops up, dangling from someone’s designer handbag. Or maybe you’re walking down the street and spot a line of people camped out at 3 a.m. outside a toy store, buzzing with excitement. What’s causing this chaos? Meet Labubu, the quirky, elvish monster that’s taken the world by storm, turning Gen Z and millennials into obsessive collectors and sparking a global frenzy that’s part cute, part chaotic, and 100% addictive. So, what the heck is this Labubu all about? Let’s dive into the wild, wonderful world of this mischievous plushie!

The Origin Story: A Nordic Fairy Tale Gone Viral

Labubu isn’t just a toy—it’s a character straight out of a Nordic-inspired fairy tale. Created in 2015 by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised artist Kasing Lung, Labubu first appeared in his picture book series The Monsters. Think of it as Where the Wild Things Are meets a punk-rock elf vibe. Labubu is the star of this whimsical world, a small, furry creature with pointy ears, big eyes, and exactly nine serrated teeth that give her (yes, she’s a girl!) a signature mischievous grin. She’s part of a quirky tribe called The Monsters, alongside pals like Zimomo (the spiky-tailed leader) and Tycoco (her skeleton-looking boyfriend who’s apparently a vegetarian—go figure).

Kasing Lung drew inspiration from Nordic mythology and European folklore, blending a playful, slightly chaotic energy into his creations. Labubu’s storybook persona is a kind-hearted trickster who wants to help but often ends up causing a bit of mischief instead. Think of her as the friend who tries to fix your phone but accidentally formats it. Adorable, right? But it wasn’t until 2019, when Lung partnered with Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, that Labubu went from storybook star to global pop culture icon.

From Storybook to Status Symbol: The Blind Box Craze

So, how did a quirky book character become the must-have accessory of 2025? It all comes down to Pop Mart’s genius marketing and the magic of blind boxes. These are sealed packages that hide which Labubu design you’re getting until you rip them open, turning every purchase into a mini lottery. With over 300 variations—ranging from pastel macaron-inspired colors like Lychee Berry and Green Grape to rare “secret” editions like Chestnut Cocoa (with a 1-in-72 chance of snagging)—the thrill of the hunt is real. Fans film unboxing videos, squealing over whether they got a common Soymilk Labubu or the ultra-rare one that could fetch hundreds on eBay.

Pop Mart kicked things into high gear in 2023 with the Exciting Macaron series, introducing Labubu as a vinyl-faced plush pendant perfect for clipping onto bags or backpacks. These keychain charms, with posable heads, arms, and feet, became instant fashion statements. In 2024, the Have a Seat series dropped, featuring softer, furrier Labubus in seated poses with expressions like blinking or eyes closed, making them even more collectible. The blind box format, combined with limited releases, creates a scarcity-driven frenzy that has fans lining up for hours and crashing Pop Mart’s website.

The Lisa Effect: When K-Pop Meets Collectible Chaos

If you thought Labubu’s rise was purely organic, think again. The spark that lit this global fire was none other than BLACKPINK’s Lisa. In April 2024, she posted an Instagram story hugging a giant Labubu plush and sporting a Labubu charm on her designer bag. The internet lost its collective mind. Suddenly, Labubu wasn’t just a toy—it was a status symbol. Celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Simone Biles, and even David Beckham (thanks to his daughter Harper) were spotted rocking Labubus, clipping them to Hermès Birkins and Louis Vuitton duffels.

Lisa’s endorsement turned Labubu into a cultural phenomenon, especially in Thailand, where the craze hit fever pitch. Thailand even opened a Labubu concept store, and the government partnered with Pop Mart to promote tourism with a life-sized Labubu mascot in traditional Thai attire. But it’s not just Asia—Labubu mania has swept North America, Europe, and beyond, with fans in the U.S. and UK shoving and yelling in lines dubbed the “Labubu Hunger Games.”

Why the Obsession? It’s More Than Just Cute

Labubu’s appeal is a weirdly perfect mix of cute and creepy—or, as some call it, “ugly-cute.” With her wild tuft of hair, oversized eyes, and toothy grin, she’s not your typical Hello Kitty. She’s more like a gremlin you want to hug. New York Magazine nailed it, describing Labubus as “kind of ugly, but huggable, with a devilish grin.” This quirky charm, paired with the surprise of blind boxes and the prestige of limited editions, taps into a collector’s psyche. It’s not just about owning a toy; it’s about the bragging rights of snagging a rare one.

Then there’s the fashion angle. Labubus blur the line between toy and high-end accessory. Clipped to a luxury bag, they add a playful, rebellious vibe to an otherwise serious aesthetic. As men’s and women’s designer bags surge in popularity, Labubus offer a way to stand out without breaking the bank—well, unless you’re chasing that $7,000 limited-edition version on StockX.

But it’s not all fun and games. The Labubu craze has a dark side. The high demand has led to counterfeits flooding the market (watch out for “Lafufus” with uneven stitching or the wrong number of teeth!). In China, customs officials have seized hundreds of smuggled Labubus meant for resale. And some TikTok users are calling out the trend as overconsumption, accusing fans of buying into the hype just because it’s popular. One viral post with 350,000 likes put it bluntly: “I genuinely don’t believe you people like that. You’re only buying it because other people are buying it.”

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Labubu Is Big Business

Labubu isn’t just a cute face—she’s a cash cow. Pop Mart’s The Monsters franchise, led by Labubu, raked in $419 million in 2024 alone, with a 726.6% year-over-year growth. A single blind box retails for about $27.99, but rare editions can fetch thousands on resale platforms like eBay and StockX. In June 2025, a four-foot-tall mint-green Labubu sold for $170,000 at an auction in Beijing, and a resin sculpture went for $13,000 at China Guardian. This isn’t just a toy—it’s a cultural and financial juggernaut.

How to Get Your Hands on One (Good Luck!)

Ready to join the Labubu craze? Brace yourself—it’s not easy. Pop Mart drops new stock online every Thursday at 9 p.m. and in stores on Fridays at 10 a.m., but they sell out in seconds. Your best bet is Pop Mart’s website, their official Amazon store, or local toy shops with claw machines stocked with Labubus (yes, really!). If you’re in a major city, check out Pop Mart’s retail locations, but be prepared for lines. To avoid fakes, look for the Pop Mart logo and “O Kasing” stamp on the doll’s foot, and make sure those nine teeth are on point.

Why Labubu Matters: A Toy or a Movement?

Labubu isn’t just a plushie—it’s a symbol of our times. In a world overflowing with mass-produced stuff, her limited releases and blind-box surprises offer a sense of individuality and excitement. She’s a nostalgic escape to childhood whimsy, a fashion statement, and a collector’s dream all rolled into one fuzzy package. As one fan put it, “Labubu isn’t just a figure—it’s a feeling, a memory, and a celebration of the childlike wonder in all of us.”

So, whether you’re clipping a Labubu to your bag or hunting for that rare Chestnut Cocoa, one thing’s clear: this toothy little monster has sunk her nine teeth into the hearts of millions. Love her or find her creepy, Labubu’s here to stay—at least until the next viral craze comes along. Now, excuse me while I check Pop Mart’s site for the next drop!