Labubu inspires deep devotion through its quirky design and collectible rarity.
Kasing Lung
Labubu’s creator is artist Kasing Lung. He was born in Hong Kong and raised in the Netherlands before moving to Belgium. Labubu is a character from his series “The Monsters,” inspired by Norse folklore and mythology.
Kasing Lung created Labubu in 2015, but it was the collaboration with Pop Mart in 2019 that propelled the character to global popularity. Pop Mart is a Chinese company specializing in collectible toys, and their partnership with Kasing Lung helped popularize Labubu with a wide audience, particularly through the “blind box” concept.
Thus, although Kasing Lung is the artist behind the Labubu character, it was the collaboration with Pop Mart and its CEO Wang Ning that truly contributed to its commercial success and global recognition.
What Is Labubu and Why Are People So Devoted?
Origins: Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung as part of his “The Monsters” series, Labubu is a stylized plush character inspired by Nordic folklore and mythology. It debuted in 2015 and became a sensation after a collaboration with Pop Mart from 2019 onward, spawning over 300 different versions, including rare editions and oversized collectible pieces.
Collectibility & Hype: Sold in blind boxes, each Labubu pickup is a surprise—adding excitement, scarcity, and collectibility. Limited drops create frenzy, reminiscent of streetwear and sneaker culture.
Psychological Appeal: Part of its charm lies in what experts call “baby schema”: large eyes and soft shapes tap into our instinctual desire for cute things. Yet its jagged teeth and eerie features give it a “so-cute-it’s-creepy” edge—a “cute-ugly” allure that ignites fascination.