The Artist Behind the Monster
Kasing Lung was born in Hong Kong in 1972. At age 7, his family moved to Utrecht, Netherlands. That's where he fell in love with Nordic fairy tales—stories about elves, forest spirits, and mischievous creatures hiding in the woods.
He eventually settled in Antwerp, Belgium, splitting his time between Europe and Hong Kong. In 2015, he created The Monsters, an illustrated book series featuring a tribe of fuzzy forest elves. The most famous one? A sharp-toothed troublemaker named Labubu.
Nine Teeth, No Tail, All Trouble
Here's what you need to know about Labubu's design:
- Exactly 9 serrated teeth (count them—if your Labubu has 8 or 10, it's fake)
- High, pointed ears like a forest elf
- No tail (her tribal leader Zimomo has a spiked tail, Labubu doesn't)
- Round, furry body with a mischievous grin
And yes—Labubu is a girl. According to Kasing Lung's original books, all members of the Labubu tribe are female. She's kind-hearted and always wants to help, but her good intentions often backfire spectacularly.
The Monsters Family Tree
Labubu doesn't live alone. Her tribe includes:
| Character | Role | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Zimomo | Tribal leader | Spiked tail, rounder face |
| Tycoco | Labubu's boyfriend | Skeleton-looking, shy vegetarian |
| Mokoko | Precious friend | Pastel-colored fur |
| Spooky | Quiet observer | Snowman-like with folds on head |
| Pato | Clever schemer | Droopy-eared, mouse-like |
Labubu loves teasing Tycoco, but he adores her anyway. According to Lung, there are about 100 different Labubu characters in the original stories.
From $15 Toy to $170,000 Auction Item
In 2019, Kasing Lung signed an exclusive deal with Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company specializing in blind boxes.
The numbers tell the story:
- 2024: The Monsters generated RMB 3.04 billion ($430 million), 23.3% of Pop Mart's total revenue
- H1 2025: Revenue jumped to RMB 4.81 billion ($670 million), now 34.7% of total revenue
- June 2025: A 1.2-meter Labubu sold for $170,000 at Beijing's first official Labubu auction
- Pop Mart CEO Wang Ning: Net worth hit $21.1 billion in July 2025, making him China's youngest top-10 billionaire at 37
Over 300 different Labubu designs have been released since 2019.
Why Lisa Changed Everything
Labubu was popular in China by late 2022, but the global explosion came in April 2024 when Blackpink's Lisa posted Instagram photos with Labubu keychains on her bags.
Since then:
- Rihanna was photographed with Labubu on her Louis Vuitton bag
- Kim Kardashian shared her collection of 10 Labubus
- David Beckham posted a Labubu his daughter gave him
- Javier Bardem posed with the dolls for movie promotions
The craze got so intense that Pop Mart paused UK sales in May 2025 after customers started fighting in stores.
The Blind Box Game
Most Labubus are sold in sealed "blind boxes"—you don't know which one you're getting until you open it.
Macaron Series (V1) odds:
- Regular figures (Soymilk, Lychee Berry, etc.): 1:6 chance
- Secret figure (Chestnut Cocoa with red nose): 1:72 chance
Have A Seat Series (V2) features:
- Seated position instead of standing
- Three expressions: eyes open, blinking, eyes closed
- Secret "DuoDuo" with brown fur and extra twinkle
Collectors shake boxes in stores, trying to feel the weight difference. Some claim they can find secrets in 1 out of 10 tries.
How to Spot a Fake
The counterfeit market is massive. Fake Labubus are nicknamed "Lafufus." Here's how to check:
- Count the teeth: Real Labubu has exactly 9. More or fewer = fake
- Check the QR code: Blurry or invalid codes are a red flag
- Look for the UV stamp: Newer Labubus have a UV-reactive stamp on the right foot showing Labubu sitting with legs out and arms raised
- Examine the skin tone: Real Labubus have a pale, peachy color. Pink or yellow tones usually indicate counterfeits
Pop Mart sued 7-Eleven in California over counterfeit sales. Chinese customs seized over 70,000 fake dolls in June 2025.
Cultural Phenomenon (and Controversy)
Labubu has become more than a toy:
Thailand: Made into Buddhist amulets and sacred tattoos for luck and wealth
Singapore: Appeared at the Nine Emperor Gods Festival dressed in ceremonial white, sparking debate about respect for tradition
Russia: Federation Council proposed a ban, calling the design "frightening" and "harmful to children's mental health"
Iraq (Kurdistan): Authorities seized 4,000 dolls, citing "demonic spirits" claims
South Park: Featured Labubu in a 2025 episode about Trump tariffs and Satanic rituals
The Bottom Line
Labubu is a fictional elf girl created by a Hong Kong artist who grew up on Dutch fairy tales. She has 9 teeth, no tail, a skeleton boyfriend, and a habit of accidentally causing chaos while trying to help.
What started as an illustrated children's book became a $670 million revenue stream. Whether you find her cute, ugly, or just confusing—she's now impossible to ignore.
Price check:
- Blind box: $27.99 retail
- Rare secret edition: $149+ resale
- Mega 79cm edition: $960
- Life-size auction piece: $170,000
The real question isn't "What is Labubu?" It's "Can you get one before they sell out?"