Before Labubu was a flex, a collector’s grail, or your favorite creepy-cute companion, it was just a doodle. Back in 2011, artist Kasing Lung created the rabbit-elf creature with crooked teeth and a hint of mischief in the pages of his sketchbook—not for hype, not for the shelves of concept stores, but out of pure artistic instinct. While the monster officially debuted in 2015, the creature remained in relative obscurity in its early years.

But the thing about sincerity is that it finds its audience. When toy juggernaut Pop Mart signed Kasing Lung, the tide began to turn. With the ‘blind box’ model, Labubu became a collectible built on surprise and scarcity. The strategy clicked. Suddenly, collectors were hooked—chasing rare drops, trading online, and buying into the thrill of not knowing which version they’d get. From shelves to secondary markets, the monster gained momentum.

Then came the tipping point that launched Labubu into full-blown cultural artifact status. BLACKPINK’s Lisa—arguably one of the most style-influential global figures of her generation—shared her personal Labubu collection on Instagram. What followed was a digital avalanche: reposts, reaction videos, fan accounts, and entire communities dedicated to collecting, customizing, and celebrating the misunderstood monster. From then on, the figure wasn’t just a toy, but a marker of cool.