What’s going on? In other words, Labubu dolls. Cute, spooky little creatures with a sharp smile and fluffy bodies. In 2019, as part of a partnership with toy manufacturers Pop Mart, Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung transformed his original artwork for his picture book series “Monsters” into figurines. Since then, they have become incredibly popular, particularly as purse charms.
Everybody desires one!
Pop Mart cited “potential safety issues” last week when it chose to remove the toys from all 16 of its UK stores until June. Many fans have reacted aggressively, but they are solely responsible for their own actions. After a fight allegedly broke out in a London store where customers had waited all night to get the newest Labubu editions, the announcement was made.
We may hold TikTok accountable, as it is the origin of the majority of current trends. After Lisa, a member of the well-known K-pop group Blackpink, was spotted carrying one in her luggage, the trend gained momentum.
People are enthusiastically sharing their collections, unboxings, and even crocheting their own versions of #Labubu, which currently has 1.4 million posts. Pop Mart’s blind boxes and limited edition drops are thrilling in their spontaneity in a time when the majority of items are mass produced and readily available.
In the UK, they usually cost between £13.50 (€16) and £50 (€59), however rare versions can cost much more. Real buyers are left disgruntled and out of luck as a result of the recent turmoil, which is mostly the result of re-sellers who buy new drops quickly in order to inflate the price. Despite a tariff-induced price increase from $22 to $28 for US customers, the newest Labubu collection managed to sell out online in minutes.
Sky News reported that Labubu gained popularity after Lisa🔥!
“Lisa , a member of a famous Korean group, posted a photo of her outfit with the doll hanging on her bag. Since then, the labubu went viral and became a trend ” pic.twitter.com/Bnnr4Kdt9Q
— ྀི (@lisaporrtraitt) May 13, 2025
Okay, but can we also discuss how toys are causing such agitation among mature adults? Yes, but aren’t you aware that a plushie pandemic is currently underway? From marshmallows to jellycats, grownups are becoming major buyers of all things adorable.
One in five toys and games are now purchased for oneself by adults over the age of 18, according to research group Circana. The market for “kidults,” which is expanding quickly, is driven by a number of factors, including adults delaying having children and severe existential distress. We might as well buy some strange tiny guys to help us deal with the burning globe.
Labubu’s literally look like they house demons…. You’re under SPELLS people
— Eggsquisite Armantè M.F.A 🥚 (@ExquisiteWill) May 28, 2025
But why do they look so frightful? Their allure lies in the way they combine sweetness and sinisterness. The wildly popular Sonny Angels, which are cherubic small figures without pants and wearing themed bonnets, are another example of this.
They may sound fanciful, but if you pay enough attention to those eloquently positioned arms and sidelong looks, you can see that they are planning something. However, it’s frequently these subtle, eerie, or odd aspects of some toys that set them apart; the facial expressions and clothing are unique and incredibly customizable.
In fact, some internet users say that these dolls are ‘Satan’s pet’ and are haunted. While one side of the buyers adore them, there are few owners who have experienced whispers and discomforting instances. Whatsoever the reality might be, Labubu appears to have mastered the ‘kidult’ toy trend.
