Labubu is an elf character plush toy with a playful yet slightly fierce look. It features a round, furry body, wide eyes, pointed ears,[1] and a set of sharp teeth that form a mischievous smile.[2] [3]
Labubu is a character designed by Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong–born artist raised in the Netherlands. Lung created the story series The Monsters, which was influenced by Nordic folklore and mythology that he enjoyed during his childhood.[4] This tribe includes Zimomo, Tycoco, Spooky, Pato and Labubu.[5] [6] According to CNA Lifestyle (2024), Lung initially sketched his designs with a pen. His love for fairy tales eventually led him to paint Labubu and its friends.
Labubu was first introduced in 2015 but gained wider recognition in 2019 following a collaboration with Pop Mart. This partnership boosted Labubu's popularity among collectors. Labubu dolls have since been produced in various colors, shapes, and sizes, ranging from plush toys to vinyl figures.
The toy gained widespread attention in April 2024 after Blackpink's Lisa was spotted with it, both as a plush toy[7] and as a keychain on her bag. This sparked a trend that quickly contributed to its growing recognition in Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Pop Mart's 2024 interim report, released on August 20, revealed that "The Monsters" line generated sales of 6.3 billion Chinese yuan (approximately $87 million) in the first half of the year.