Ugly-Cute Is the New Cool Labubu’s Not Just a Toy, It’s a Flex

Meet Labubu, the plush misfit with a mischievous grin that’s become the Kepling of 2025 — a toy so iconic it transcends the toy shelf and lands straight into pop culture history. Designed over a decade ago by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu was once just a quirky character from his illustrated fantasy world, The Monsters. Today, it’s a global fashion symbol and a status flex.

The big winner behind the trend? Wang Ning, chairman and CEO of Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, who saw his net worth skyrocket by $1.6 billion in a single day as Labubu sales boomed.

The plushie’s rise wasn’t random. Lisa from Blackpink was one of the first spotted with it, igniting a trend that spread like wildfire. Soon after, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Central Cee, and even North West were seen rocking Labubu — turning what used to be an “ugly-cute” toy into the it-accessory of the year.

Much like Kepling dolls of past generations or Beanie Babies in the ‘90s, Labubu taps into scarcity, hype culture, and an aesthetic that resonates with Gen Z’s love for oddball authenticity. Sold through Pop Mart’s blind boxes, each toy becomes a collector’s chase, and the FOMO is real.

Whether you think it's adorable, creepy, or something in between, one thing’s clear:
Labubu is 2025’s cultural wildcard  and it’s not slowing down.

Source: Forbes