What is a Labubu & Why Does My Inner Child Want One?

The past couple of nights, during my evening TikTok scroll, my For You Page has been inundated with the newest toy trend. To be honest, it is sending me on a nostalgic wave of fascination and temptation.

What is a Labubu?

Labubu (La-boo-boo) is the name of a character created by Hong Kong-Belgian artist and designer, Kasing Lung. Inspired by mythology and folklore he enjoyed while growing up, he created a series of stories called The Monsters. That was around 2015, so these little critters have been around a while. It wasn't until a collaboration with Chinese-based retailer Popmart that their popularity really exploded.

Labubus are Furby's Creepy & Cute Cousin

There are all kinds of Labubu merchandise, but the people are going wild for the little plushie keychains. Celebrities and influencers are even collecting them and dressing them up in little clothes and accessories. Something about those rosy cheeks, the little mischievous grin, the soft, fuzzy fur. How can they be so creepy and so cute at the same time? They remind me of the old school Furbies!

How Much Do Labubu Blind Boxes Cost?

They come in blind boxes, so you don't know which version you will get. Hundreds of different colors and styles are out there. In fact, a 4-foot-tall Labubu was just auctioned off in Beijing for $170,000! A genuine Labubu should only cost you around $20- $30 but they aren't exactly easy to get. The Popmart website stays sold out.

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Don't Get "Lafufu-ed": Where to Get a Real Labubu

If you are looking to get your hands on one of the little cuties, beware! Counterfeit versions that have been nicknamed "Lafufus" are floating around as well.  The Popmart app, Popmart US Official TikTok Live Shop, & Whatnot are the only verified places to get them online. If you don't care whether it is genuine or not, there are resellers all over the internet and even in the area. Chances are, the price is marked up, though.

Persistence is Key

According to a friend of mine who is a collector, persistence is key! You have to keep checking the places mentioned, over and over, because they restock all the time. On TikTok Live, "They go all day with random drops until like 2 AM, but you basically just have to watch to see if any are released and hit the buttons fast enough."

Labubu Fever

I am trying to fight the urge to buy one. They are just too darn adorable. I did see a post the other day from someone who joked, "I bet the Labubus were sent here to spy on us." They definitely give cute little Gizmo Gremlin vibes! Don't get them wet or feed them after midnight, but you can clip them to your purse and have a cute little sidekick!

Do you have a Labubu? I'd love to see a picture of it! You can send it on the Appchat or post it up on our Facebook page!