In April, a member of the popular K-pop group Blackpink was spotted posing with a Labubu doll attached to a keychain.
Chinese toys have seen a huge growth in sales in the Asian market over the past few years. Once known only as a label associated with cheap alternatives to fashion accessories, “Made in China” is not only popular in India and its neighboring countries, but has also become popular worldwide.
Earlier this year, a rubber-coated plush character called Labubu was launched in Asia. The Chinese-made product has now emerged as the continent’s “most popular toy,” the South China Morning Post reported.
What sets Labubu apart from other soft toys is its quirky appearance and unique design. The character comes in different sizes and has captured the hearts of fans with its devilish eyes, pointed ears and mischievous grin. The toy was designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and is manufactured by leading Chinese retailer Pop Mart.
According to the SCMP report, many toy enthusiasts, as well as children, have added Labubu to their collections. Labubu has now become one of the best-selling items in Pop Mart stores in China. A customer in Shanghai’s Xuhui district had been waiting to buy the toy for months.
When she finally received it from a local store, the woman expressed her excitement: “When the stock was replenished online, I would never be able to buy one because so many people were rushing to buy it at the same time. Today, I finally got one from an official store and I am so happy. I love its design; I feel happy when I look at it.”
