The Mischievous Forest Elf Toy That's Captivating the Globe
Labubu is a quirky elf-like plush toy created by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised artist Kasing Lung. Featuring spiky teeth, asymmetrical features, and playful charm, Labubu emerged in the 2015 “The Monsters” picture books before its commercial debut via POP MART in 2019.
With inspirations drawn from Nordic folklore and East Asian myths, Labubu quickly captured hearts around the world as a symbol of imagination, rebellion, and emotional connection.
Labubu rose to global popularity by tapping into the “ugly-cute” trend — a rebellion against traditional beauty standards, especially loved by Gen Z. Its spiky teeth, odd proportions, and mischievous expression made it an emotional projection toy for modern youth.
Limited-edition blind box releases, influencer endorsements, and pop culture memes turned Labubu into a social currency. When global icons like Blackpink’s Lisa and Seventeen shared their Labubu collections, sales exploded across Southeast Asia and beyond.
POP MART’s smart localization — such as creating Thai-style Labubu or avoiding cultural taboos — helped the brand resonate globally while remaining authentic. Viral content on TikTok and YouTube further fueled the craze, making Labubu a phenomenon.
Labubu is the flagship character from the The Monsters series, created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. Inspired by European folklore and childhood imagination, Labubu embodies a mischievous forest elf with spiky teeth, large eyes, and an odd-cute charm that resonates with youth across cultures.
Originally introduced in Kasing's illustration books, Labubu gained global fame after joining hands with POP MART in 2019. Kasing's hand-drawn sketches and unique visual storytelling gave rise to a character that blurs the line between art and toy, fantasy and fashion.
Dance with Labubu in the official adventure!
Get your own collectible via the official POP MART channels!
K-pop idols from Seventeen and Blackpink’s Lisa have showcased Labubu dolls, triggering store traffic control and paused sales amid nationwide craze [oai_citation:0‡businessinsider.com](https://www.businessinsider.com/k-pop-stars-blind-box-fueling-labubu-frenzy-south-korea-2025-6?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
A human-sized mint-green Labubu (1.31 m) sold for a record RMB 1.08 M (~€131 k), with 40 cm PVC figures selling as a set for RMB 510 k .
Pop Mart opened “Popop” in Shanghai, selling Labubu-themed jewelry ranging from ¥350–¥2,699 as part of its emotional-consumption strategy .
A 4‑ft Labubu sold for over $170,000, with 48 dolls achieving total revenue of about $518,312—marking the toy’s collectible boom .
