With maniacal eyes, razor-sharp teeth, and a mischievous grin, Labubu has become a global phenomenon.
This quirky plush toy has appeared on everything from luxury handbags to collector shelves across Asia and Australia.
From blind box hype to celeb endorsements, why is this little monster having a moment?
Originally designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu exploded in popularity after BLACKPINK’s Lisa (Lalisa Manobal) was seen sporting one.
On Friday morning’s episode of The Briefing, we took a deep dive into the cultural chaos surrounding the plush toy.
“[People are] queuing up for 12 hours and dropping up to $10,000 to nab one. Some stores in the UK have even paused sales this week amid allegations of violence,” The Briefing podcast host Chris Spyrou said.
Labubu’s blind-box sales model adds an element of surprise, making it incredibly addictive.
“On top of these mystery boxes, you don’t know which label you’re going to get. You’ve also got this idea of limited releases, and even rare Labubus being sprinkled into drops here and there,” he said.
Spyrou described the phenomenon as “nostalgia meets hype culture,” tapping into the rising “little treat” economy, where small, feel-good purchases offer comfort in uncertain times.
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