Always Viral And Favorite, Why Is Labu Most Wanted?

JAKARTA - If you often play TikTok or scroll social media, you must have seen a tiny person with a stubborn face called Labubu. This one doll has recently become a hunt for collectors around the world. But, who exactly is Labubu and why is it so popular?

Labubu is a character created by Hong Kong artist, Kasing Lung. He is not a single character, but part of the group 'The Monsters' which first appeared in a picture book in 2015. Only in 2019, Pop Mart released it in the form of vinyl collector toys which immediately caught the public's attention.

"Labubu is a small creature who even though he looks naughty, actually has a good heart and always wants to help, although sometimes the results are opposite. So don't be fooled by the face of his void, because Labubu's intention is actually sincere," Pop Mart said, quoted from the NBC News page.

Uniquely, many people think Labubu is a man. In fact, Labubu is a female character. In fact, he already has a couple named Tycoco, a vegetarian monster in the form of a skeleton.

Why Can Labubu Go Viral?

One of the biggest reasons for Labubu suddenly becoming a global icon is because of the support from BLACKPINK's Lisa. On several occasions, Lisa openly admitted that she liked this character.

Since then, Labubu's popularity has shot sharply. Fans are willing to queue overnight to get it, not even hesitate to pay far above the official price.

According to NBC News, The Monsters series managed to score sales of up to 419 million US dollars or Rp6.8 trillion in just one year, making it the best-selling Pop Mart franchise.

No wonder Labubu is now the target of international collectors. The most popular product is plush bag hangers, but there are also figures, accessories, to exclusive collaborations with well-known brands.

Now, getting Labubu is making it easier because several large marketplaces such as Walmart have sold them through third-party platform, StockX. However, the price offered remains fantastic, ranging from 67 dollars or around Rp. 1 million to almost 300 dollars or Rp. 4.9 million per piece.

The popularity of Labubu also raises new problems, namely the circulation of counterfeit goods known as Lafufu. At first glance it is similar, but it is actually easily recognized.

- Number of teeth: The originalLabubu has exactly nine teeth.

- Definition of the face: Copy usually has a poor eye color and blush.

- Jahitan: In Lafufu, forehead stitches often look uneven.

- Footprint: The original product always has the Pop Mart logo and the words 'O Kasing' on the soles of the feet.

Labubu is not just a funny toy. He has become a pop culture phenomenon with a fanatical fan base in various countries.

"Even though it looks naughty, Labubu always has a good heart." said Pop Mart.

Maybe that's what made this small figure with a jahil smile manage to steal the hearts of millions of people, from toy collectors to world stars.