Who’s gonna take care of you when you get older? For Gen-Z Chinese youths who don’t plan on having kids, this is a question heard all too often from their elders. But now, it seems like they’ve found the answer: “My Labubu will take care of me.”
With the help of AI, RedNote bloggers are transforming photos of their Labubu into short clips of the little guy doing chores, like donning an apron and washing dishes at the sink. It’s a silly joke, but it’s half-rooted in reality. With a cult-like status worldwide, some fans really do treat their snaggletoothed figurines as furry companions.
Chances are you’re already familiar with Labubu, POP MART’s bestselling character. Created by Hong Kong-born designer Kasing Lung, the funky and slightly chaotic little monster has seemingly taken on a life of its own.
Celebrities like Lisa from BLACKPINK, Rihanna, and Jackson Wang have all been spotted with Labubus dangling from their bags. Owning one has become something of a status symbol, as they aren’t cheap or easy to find—especially in the second-hand market, which is often still more of an obtainable option. As for the source, POP MART has built its empire on an image of luxury and exclusive designer items, wrapped up in the addictive form of blind boxes. People get sucked into the hype, but stay for the thrill of the gamble, never knowing what variation of the Labubu they’ll score.
Labubu Mania Sweeps U.S. Cities
POP MART’s largest NYC store is located in Flushing Chinatown, where it’s common to see eager fans queuing up to snatch their next Labubu. One such fan, Niuniu, told RADII that she once bought five at once, costing nearly her entire day’s paycheck. But once the hype died down, so did her enthusiasm for the toys, “I just followed the trend and lacked self-control,” she admitted. “I kind of regret it now and try not to buy any more blind boxes.”
Just a floor below the POP MART store is MINISO, another Chinese retail powerhouse that’s taken off overseas. Known for its frequent collaborations with well-known franchises, MINISO sells lifestyle items, cosmetics, and blind box figurines too. Despite a much lower price point, MINISO’s blind boxes just don’t have the same pull as POP MART’s.
There is also a smaller POP MART store in NYC, located at the Westfield World Trade Center shopping mall in Manhattan. Last month, fans showed up early morning only to find a note taped to the door that read, in all caps: “CLOSED ALL STAFF QUIT.” It’s speculated that the walkout is due to staff being overwhelmed by the sheer number of customers in search of Labubus. Currently, the location no longer stocks Labubus altogether.
Out West in LA, there is a similar frenzy. Hundreds of rowdy adults swarmed a POP MART location ahead of a Labubu launch, which was ultimately canceled with law enforcement involved after the crowd refused to disperse.
From Butt Lifts to Court Gowns
But the Labubu craze isn’t all chaos, it seems like the community is thriving on creativity and pure DIY joy. On the r/labubu subreddit, the top-voted post is a proud owner who gave their Labubu a Brazilian Butt Lift, in a surgery done with scissors, yarn, and cotton. On Instagram, another fan gave theirs the classic Hispanic “Edgar haircut,” while a tattoo artist blew up for inking tough-guy face tattoos on his Labubus.
In China, the “Labubu Imperial Crown” trend is also on the rise. Your basic Labubus are being transformed into royalties with handmade traditional gowns and elaborate crowns. Others have gone full streetwear, complete with their Labubu’s clutching miniature designer handbags. RedNote users have also taken to sharing crochet patterns and sewing instructions. One blogger even turned a pair of fluffy socks into an adorable pajama set for their Labubu friend. (P.S. It’s not cool anymore to have a naked Labubu!)
Kidulting For Your Inner Child
One Instagram influencer shared a vlog of her Labubu-themed brunch outing, her entire crew was decked out in pink and carrying Labubus in various sizes, colors, and fits. It’s a little silly, sure, but also ridiculously fabulous to unleash your inner child in front of the camera.
POP MART’s success doesn’t just speak to China’s growing soft power, but also to the rise of the kidult trend—adults who find joy in childlike hobbies, backed by adult spending powers. Whether you’ve played dress up with dolls or posed with action figures as a kid, loving Labubu isn’t so different. The actual difference? You now likely have a bigger budget!
As for POP MART, the brand is far from just a toy business, they are also selling emotional values. In February, POP MART opened its first character-specific flagship store in Shanghai, dedicated to Hirono, created by the Chinese artist Lang. Hirono is a boy from the magical realms, with a permanent frown and a curious heart. Each figurine variation captures a different adventure of Hirono, celebrating themes of love, friendship, and courage.
Similar to the viral Jellycat Diner experience, the Hirono flagship doesn’t present itself as a toy store, but rather a lifestyle experience. With warm lights, hardwood flooring, and greenery scattered throughout the store, stepping inside feels like entering a cozy treehouse on a rainy day. POP MART has successfully transformed the franchise into a comforting sanctuary, carving out space inside our emotional worlds and not just our wallets.
And yes, this meme sums it up perfectly:
Cover image via Instagram/@gia_gunn.
